Facts About Autism

The facts about autism continue to change as researchers, physicians, parents, and support groups work harder to understand and combat this condition.

Diagnosing Autism

Diagnosing autism is often tricky at first, especially for very young children. Some symptoms may simply go unrecognized for prolonged periods of time simply because these symptoms are so mild. In most cases, doctors now look for a specific group of behaviors that may be evidence of autism in a child. These include the following:

• Difficulty interacting socially with peers and others.
• Need for specific routines and patterns throughout the day.
• Obsession with areas of interests, subjects, and/or items.
• Language difficulties
• Unable to maintain a conversation with others.

In many cases, parents are the first people to notice possible autism disorder characteristics. After the pediatrician has been contacted, the parents' observations will be discussed. Questions concerning the child's development and behavior are usually asked, but because autism can be very difficult to diagnose initially, other professionals are usually brought into the diagnosis as well, including psychologists, neurologists, and speech therapists. In-depth assessments will be conducted, and these often include physical assessments, such as hearing screenings, as well.

Facts About Autism

There isn't any definitive cause for autism, although researchers have recognized a number of genes that may be related to the condition. Some research suggests that autism may occur during the development of a fetus's brain, causing an interruption in normal growth. However, these are only speculations as there is not any concrete evidence that supports this theory as of this writing. Parents are often wracked with guilt upon hearing that their child is autistic, but there is no basis for assuming that parental behavior has any influence on whether or not a child is autistic.

While researchers and physicians still do not know the definitive causes of autism, there are several facts about autism that are now known. These include the following:

• Following, mental retardation and cerebral palsy, autism is now the third most common developmental disability and occurs more often than childhood cancer, cystic fibrosis, and multiple sclerosis.
• Over 400,000 people are currently diagnosed with autism in the United States.
• Autism is diagnosed in five boys to every one girl with one in 94 boys diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
• Autism occurs in one out of every 150 births.
• Autism typically begins before the age of three years old.
• There is no medical treatment or cure for autism as if this writing.
• Treatments continue to change, but some success has been found through experimental regimens of diet, vitamin and mineral supplements, and through medical interventions and behavioral therapy.
• In many cases, insurance companies will not recognize or cover various treatments for autism.
• Through various treatments and therapies, many children have improved significantly.
• Children and adults diagnosed with autism can typically expect a normal life span.
• Socioeconomics and location have no bearing on who has autism.
• In this year alone, more children will be given a diagnosis of autism than cancer, diabetes, and AIDs combined.
• As of this writing, the cost of autism for the United States is over $35 billion each year, and that figure is rising.

Finally, the statistics are staggering as more and more children are diagnosed with autism. As more information is discovered, the facts about autism will continue to change. There are many support groups that continue to be involved in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of autism, including the following:

• Autism Society of America
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders
• Autism Collaboration
• Autism Speaks

• Preschool Activities for Autistic Children
• Possible Causes of Autism
• Tips for Raising Kids with Autism
• What Is Your Autism Empathy Rating?

• Lesson Plans for Autistic Children
• Adult Autism Symptoms
• Social Skills Activities for Kids with Autism
• Speech Therapy Ideas for Autistic Children
• Famous Autistic People

• Autism Disorder Characteristics
• Autism Society of America
• Category:Diagnosing Autism
• Autism Symptoms Checklist
• Physical Characteristics of Autism