What is autism''?

Answer 1

Autism (sometimes called "classical autism") is the most common condition in a group of pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), also known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Pervasive developmental disorders are included in the broader category of developmental disorders.

Autism is characterized by three distinctive behaviors. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, display problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and exhibit repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling. Autism varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when more debilitating handicaps mask it. Scientists aren't certain what causes autism, but it's likely that both genetics and environment play a role.

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for autism. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. Most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.

What is the prognosis?

For many children, autism symptoms improve with treatment and with age. Some children with autism grow up to lead normal or near-normal lives. Children whose language skills regress early in life, usually before the age of 3, appear to be at risk of developing epilepsy or seizure-like brain activity. During adolescence, some children with autism may become depressed or experience behavioral problems. Parents of these children should be ready to adjust treatment for their child as needed.

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts research in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and also supports additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. As part of the Children's Health Act of 2000, the NINDS and three sister institutes have formed the NIH Autism Coordinating Committee to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH's autism research. More information about the Autism Coordinating Committee is available at their website provided in the links in the Related Links section. Eight dedicated research centers across the country have been established as "Centers of Excellence in Autism Research" to bring together resea.

Organizations

Association for Science in Autism Treatment
P.O. Box 188
Crosswicks, NJ 08515-0188
info@asatonline.org
Tel: 781-397-8943 (need to update this number)
Fax: 781-397-8887 (need to update this number)

Autism National Committee (AUTCOM)
P.O. Box 429
Forest Knolls, CA 94933

Autism Network International (ANI)
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse, NY 13235-5448
jisincla@mailbox.syr.edu

Autism Research Institute (ARI)
4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
director@autism.com
Tel: 619-281-7165
Fax: 619-563-6840

Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814-3067
Tel: 301-657-0881 800-3AUTISM (328-8476)
Fax: 301-657-0869

Cure Autism Now (CAN) Foundation
5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036-4234
info@cureautismnow.org
Tel: 323-549-0500 888-8AUTISM (828-8476)
Fax: 323-549-0547

MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger's, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
info@maapservices.org
Tel: 219-662-1311
Fax: 219-662-0638

Autism Speaks/National Alliance for Autism Research
2 Park Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Short Answer

Autism, or autistic syndrome, is a neurological problem which interferes with a person's ability to communicate with other people. The term autism literally means aloneness.

Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.
It is a condition, present from early childhood, characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts

Autism, now referred to as (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a series of personality symptoms reflected in a persons social behavior and interaction with other people in a way that is different than what most "normal" people do. There are no physical traits, blood test or diagnostic imaging available to diagnose autism. Determining ASD is based strictly on observation of behavior.

Answer 2

Autism (sometimes called "classical autism") is the most common condition in a group of pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), also known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Pervasive developmental disorders are included in the broader category of developmental disorders.

Autism is characterized by three distinctive behaviors. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, display problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and exhibit repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling. Autism varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when more debilitating handicaps mask it. Scientists aren't certain what causes autism, but it's likely that both genetics and environment play a role.

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for autism. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. Most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.

What is the prognosis?

For many children, autism symptoms improve with treatment and with age. Some children with autism grow up to lead normal or near-normal lives. Children whose language skills regress early in life, usually before the age of 3, appear to be at risk of developing epilepsy or seizure-like brain activity. During adolescence, some children with autism may become depressed or experience behavioral problems. Parents of these children should be ready to adjust treatment for their child as needed.

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts research in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and also supports additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. As part of the Children's Health Act of 2000, the NINDS and three sister institutes have formed the NIH Autism Coordinating Committee to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH's autism research. More information about the Autism Coordinating Committee is available at their website provided in the links in the Related Links section. Eight dedicated research centers across the country have been established as "Centers of Excellence in Autism Research" to bring together resea.

Organizations

Association for Science in Autism Treatment
P.O. Box 188
Crosswicks, NJ 08515-0188
info@asatonline.org
Tel: 781-397-8943 (need to update this number)
Fax: 781-397-8887 (need to update this number)

Autism National Committee (AUTCOM)
P.O. Box 429
Forest Knolls, CA 94933

Autism Network International (ANI)
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse, NY 13235-5448
jisincla@mailbox.syr.edu

Autism Research Institute (ARI)
4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
director@autism.com
Tel: 619-281-7165
Fax: 619-563-6840

Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814-3067
Tel: 301-657-0881 800-3AUTISM (328-8476)
Fax: 301-657-0869

Cure Autism Now (CAN) Foundation
5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036-4234
info@cureautismnow.org
Tel: 323-549-0500 888-8AUTISM (828-8476)
Fax: 323-549-0547

MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger's, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
info@maapservices.org
Tel: 219-662-1311
Fax: 219-662-0638

Autism Speaks/National Alliance for Autism Research
2 Park Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Short Answer

Autism, or autistic syndrome, is a neurological problem which interferes with a person's ability to communicate with other people. The term autism literally means aloneness.

Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.
It is a condition, present from early childhood, characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts

Autism, now referred to as (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a series of personality symptoms reflected in a persons social behavior and interaction with other people in a way that is different than what most "normal" people do. There are no physical traits, blood test or diagnostic imaging available to diagnose autism. Determining ASD is based strictly on observation of behavior.

Answer 3

Autism (sometimes called "classical autism") is the most common condition in a group of pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), also known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Pervasive developmental disorders are included in the broader category of developmental disorders.

Autism is characterized by three distinctive behaviors. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, display problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and exhibit repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling. Autism varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when more debilitating handicaps mask it. Scientists aren't certain what causes autism, but it's likely that both genetics and environment play a role.

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for autism. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. Most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.

What is the prognosis?

For many children, autism symptoms improve with treatment and with age. Some children with autism grow up to lead normal or near-normal lives. Children whose language skills regress early in life, usually before the age of 3, appear to be at risk of developing epilepsy or seizure-like brain activity. During adolescence, some children with autism may become depressed or experience behavioral problems. Parents of these children should be ready to adjust treatment for their child as needed.

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts research in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and also supports additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. As part of the Children's Health Act of 2000, the NINDS and three sister institutes have formed the NIH Autism Coordinating Committee to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH's autism research. More information about the Autism Coordinating Committee is available at their website provided in the links in the Related Links section. Eight dedicated research centers across the country have been established as "Centers of Excellence in Autism Research" to bring together resea.

Organizations

Association for Science in Autism Treatment
P.O. Box 188
Crosswicks, NJ 08515-0188
info@asatonline.org
Tel: 781-397-8943 (need to update this number)
Fax: 781-397-8887 (need to update this number)

Autism National Committee (AUTCOM)
P.O. Box 429
Forest Knolls, CA 94933

Autism Network International (ANI)
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse, NY 13235-5448
jisincla@mailbox.syr.edu

Autism Research Institute (ARI)
4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
director@autism.com
Tel: 619-281-7165
Fax: 619-563-6840

Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814-3067
Tel: 301-657-0881 800-3AUTISM (328-8476)
Fax: 301-657-0869

Cure Autism Now (CAN) Foundation
5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036-4234
info@cureautismnow.org
Tel: 323-549-0500 888-8AUTISM (828-8476)
Fax: 323-549-0547

MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger's, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
info@maapservices.org
Tel: 219-662-1311
Fax: 219-662-0638

Autism Speaks/National Alliance for Autism Research
2 Park Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Short Answer

Autism, or autistic syndrome, is a neurological problem which interferes with a person's ability to communicate with other people. The term autism literally means aloneness.

Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.
It is a condition, present from early childhood, characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts

Autism, now referred to as (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a series of personality symptoms reflected in a persons social behavior and interaction with other people in a way that is different than what most "normal" people do. There are no physical traits, blood test or diagnostic imaging available to diagnose autism. Determining ASD is based strictly on observation of behavior.

Answer 4

The definition for the word autism is "a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts."

Answer 5

It's important to know that the symptoms of autism present themselves along a large spectrum, and many children diagnosed as autistic are still able to function perfectly well in school and beyond. The best thing to do is wait for the results to come back so you can have some idea of what to expect, and then consult your doctor for recommendations.

Answer 6

What is autism?