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Autism
Autism is a developmental disorder that manifests itself in the first years of life. Characteristics of this disorder include impaired social interaction, repetitive behavior and delayed language development. Ask questions about disorders in the autism spectrum here.
1,402 Questions
What type of disability is autism?
Autism isn't a disability, it is a difference - autism is a spectrum, as such it effects different people in different ways and to different severities, so although some people may face disabilities as a result of autism many don't. As a disability it would be considered a neurological disability.
Temple Grandin is a woman who was diagnosed with autism as a child - in 1950, when autism was thought to be the result of cold parenting and it was believed that the children could not be helped. She is someone with high-functioning autism who earned a doctorate degree in animal science and became a professor at Colorado State University. She invented the hugging machine which some people find calming.
She also has written books about her experiences with autism.
- Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism
- Emergence: Labeled Autistic (with Margaret M Scariano)
- Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism (with Sean Barron)
- The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's
- Developing Talents: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-functioning Autism (with Kate Duffy)
She has also written books and papers on animal science.
A HBO biographical movie starring Claire Danes was made about her life. It was released in 2010.
Is Asperger's syndrome deadly?
RESPONSE by Parker Gabriel, person with AS: The only real danger in living with Asperger's disorder is the possibility that you may not truly focus on your immediate surroundings and thus fail to notice an immediate risk till it is too late, or nearly so. I, personally, once broke a leg as a direct result of that problem.
An Additional Consideration:
Also, because people with AS are more likely than the typical person to have poor motor control (i.e., to be clumsy), they might be more accident prone.
IMPORTANT - Mother of adult daughter with AS:
People with Asperger's are four times more likely to be the victim of crime because they may misread social cues OR make someone angry because they lack social skills OR may be a obsessive on a subject OR lack appropriate facial expressions OR project the innocence and naivety that makes them a target for bullies. That said; my daughter is an unending source of pride and joy and I marvel at her accomplishments and happy attitude.
What is the percentage of girls with autism?
Approximately one in two hundred girls are autistic, or 0.5%.
Why is autism so prevalent today?
There's nothing to suggest that autism is more prevalent today than it was decades, hundreds, or thousands of years ago. Autism diagnosis is on the increase but this doesn't mean that autism is on the increase.
Can adults with aspergers syndrome hold a job?
Yes, as long as it is legal for a person to work at 16 years old where they live they can get a job. Being Autistic doesn't necessarily stop someone from getting a job, most Autistic people work or have worked.
How many children are incorrectly diagnosed with learning disorders?
Anywhere between "loads" and "not that many, really"
Can people with autism be in wheelchairs?
Yes, of course Autistic people can be in wheelchairs. A person can have more than one condition or disability, and Autistic people are as likely to use a wheelchair as any other group of people.
How many kids in America have autism?
Approximately 1 in 150 children have autism, that is approx. 73 a day, and approx. 26,767 children a year are born with autism in the US.
Numbers are up from 1 in 10,000 a generation ago, and 3-4 generations ago, autism was practically unknown.
Reasons for the increase may include:
- Increased numbers of pregnant women on medication during pregnancy. For example, the anticonvulsant drug sodium valproate (epilim/depakote) is proven in studies to cause a 10% risk of autism when unborn babies are exposed to it.
- Various other anticonvulsant drugs and hormonal drugs are also suspect, and under investigation for causing increased risk of autism.
- Increased diagnosis. More children at the "softer" end of the spectrum are now obtaining diagnosis.
- Environmental genetic damage. It is generally accepted that certain chemicals in our environment cause genetic damage. This may be associated with the increase in autism rates.
- Older parental ages. Women are having children when older. Genetic damage is more likely to occur in eggs from older women, and in sperm cells from older men.
Unknown but possible candidates for autism rate increase include:
- foetal ultrasound, which has never been tested for human safety yet is now universal
- vaccine overload, where too many vaccines create an immune response overload in young children / babies
- general environmental pollution, including lead and mercury, plus a host of other damaging chemicals and poisons.
Are there cures for dysgraphia?
Sadly, no. There are many methods, techniques and tricks you can try, but there is no cure, unfortunately.
Sorry, no. Bella Thorne, an actress, has it. There is no cure. There are many claims that they can, but it rarely works.
How come there are so many different types of autism?
There is one type of autism. However, there are multiple types of pervasive developmental disorders, of which autism is one.
The pervasive developmental disorders, also known as autism spectrum disorders, include five disorders that affect social and communication skills as well as motor and language skills. The five disorders are: Classic Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Persuasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS), Rett's Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
What are signs of autism at 5 years old?
There are about 48 symptoms of autism.
Impaired social interaciton
-Not responding to name.
-Not looking at people.
-Not smiling. (Note that newborns do not smile for several weeks.)
-Avoiding eye contact.
-Not liking cuddles.
-Lack of imaginative play.
-Lack of social play.
-Inablility to make friends.
-Lack stranger anxiety. (This develops within the first year.)
-Lack separation anxiety. (When mothers leave children without autism, they are usually upset.)
-Independence. (Doesn't seek help or interact with others.)
-Plays alone.
-Unprovoked attacks on others.
Verbal Communication Problems
-Inability to sustain conversation.
-Appears deaf at times.
-Language stereotyped.
-Repetived language. (Repeats things over and over.)
-Unusual language. (Noises, gibberish.)
-Not talking. (Many autistic infants are mute, or become mute after initially making sounds.)
-Echolalia. (Parroting what they hear. Many infants without autism also do this.)
-Confusing pronouns. (Mixing up "I", "you", and "we" or similar words.
Nonverbal Communication Problems
Obsessions
-Unusual or severely limited activities and interests.
-Repetitive moments. (Rocking, hair twirling, etc.)
-Inflexibility with highly specific routines and rituals.
-Overly focused attention on specific objects.
-Lines things up.
Sensory Symptoms
-Hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli. (Taste, sound, etc.)
-Reduced sensitivity to pain.
-Extraordinary sensitive to sensations.
-Self-mutilation.
Early Symptoms of of possible autism (In infants, toddlers.)
-Regression. (Negative change from early development to impaired abilities. About 20% of cases of regression.)
-Delayed development. (Slow to speak.)
-No babbling by 12 months.
-No gesturing by 12 months.
-No single words by 16 months.
-No 2 word phrases by 24 months.
-Loss of language skills already acquired.
-Tantrums.
-Hyperactivity.
Savant abilities - A rare gift of very unusual abilities in music, math or other areas.
Do flu shots cause Asperger's Syndrome?
Flu shots do not cause autism. Because when one identical twin has autism, the other twin almost always has autism, too, we know that it is in the genes. Some of the genes associated with autism have been identified. But, since there are rare occasions when the other twin does not have autism, it is thought that something extra must trigger the development of autism in those persons who have the genes for it. The factors that could trigger autism genes are not known.
Does the glutten free and casein diet work for autistic kids?
A gluten-free diet can be helpful for some people with Autism. Autistic people are six times more likely to suffer digestive problems, some will be intolerant or sensitvie to gluten, but even in those who aren't a gluten-free diet can be a healthier option and can help with symptoms.
The definition of Disease is ever changing within the community, but in the medical community it is generally used to apply to anything other than normal bodily function. Many would argue that it is unknown if there is a specific cause for the disease and therefore it cannot fit either definition of disease.
In community many would say Autism is not a disease at all. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder. It is in the genes. A person is born with it. And this is true using the community's (and politically correct) definition of "disease". But the medical community would suggest that going by the textbook definition of disease, it technically is. It is an impairment in neurological functioning; that is, the brain is not working as it typically would in most individuals. It is generally accepted that it is genetic, meaning people are born with this.
So in conclusion, it is a disease, yet it is not a disease. It is up to you to decide which definition makes the most sense to you.
What is high functioning autism?
High functioning autism often is called Asperger's Syndrome. Usually they tend to lack social skills. My son doesn't talk at all so he is considered low functioning autism.
EDIT: While often called Asperger's Syndrome, the two are similar but different pervasive development disorder. Go here, asperger-s-syndromefor a more in depth explanation of AS.
How long does it take to develpe Autism and why?
Autism cannot be cured - Autism is a neurological difference, not an illness to be cured.
A person is born Autistic and remains Autistic their entire life, just as someone who is born Caucasian cannot be 'cured' of being Caucasian. Autism is a neurological difference, you cannot get rid of Autism in a person without changing their brain, which is simply not possible.
What are the certain types of infections that cause autism?
Currently there is no single dominant theory, mostly because there haven't been any clear causes. The latest trend is to speculate on a genetic basis and there are a couple shreds of support for the hypothesis that epigenetics are also playing a part. Environmental contamination with hormone-like chemicals, diet changes, maternal health factors and exposure to industrial chemicals have all been proposed as causes or factors influencing the risk of autism, but the reality is no one really knows or has any good evidence yet.
Incidentally, the hoax about linking childhood vaccines to autism has been thoroughly debunked. The original paper that was published has been redacted in its entirety and follow-up studies looking at the linkage found no evidence to support the assertation. Vaccinating your child will not increase the risk of your child being diagnosed with autism. However, not vaccinating your child does increase the risk of severe childhood disease and potential death from whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella. All of these diseases are still present around the world.
Is rocking back and forth a symptom of autism?
It can be a sign of sensory integration problems; however, it could also be a sign of an inner ear disorder. Sometimes children who have inner ear problems rock back and forth to reach equilibrium. Many children with autism have inner ear and balance issues.
Why are people with autism unable to sense other people's feelings?
No one can really 'sense' other people's feelings, no one has that ability. People determine how other people feel based on body language, as Autistic people do not understand body language it is harder to understand how someone is feeling unless they say how they are feeling.
When does autistic disorder become apparent?
Personality disorders have their onset in late adolescence or early adulthood. Doctors rarely give a diagnosis of personality disorder to children on the grounds that children's personalities are still in the process of formation.
How does asperger syndrome affect education?
Children in secondary school go to the normal classes but are helped with by a "learning supporter"
The majority of them require no assistance to learn and take classes with everyone else. They just struggle with the social context of the classes.
Can autism cause you to go blind?
No, autism cannot cause you to go blind. Autism is a neurological difference, it has no effect on the eyes and cannot lead to blindness at all.
PDD is an acronym for pervasive developmental disability, which is a description of a type of developmental disorder. It means the same as autism spectrum disorder. It encompasses five conditions: autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified. See the related question below "What are autism spectrum disorders?" for more details.
