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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
Do autistic people have empathy?
Saying that an autistic child has lack of empathy is a myth. It's not true when some doctors have said they don't know what love is and how to care for other people. Autistic individuals know empathy, and they know how the other person feels. They do care.
Do people with asperger's syndrome get married?
I don't think there are fixed odds of people with Aspergers getting married, mainly because you can't speak for everyone with Aspergers as a whole. Some Aspies would like the idea, some wouldn't, it really depends on who you ask.
The American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - IV-TR (2000) defines Autistic Disorder as a pervasive developmental disorder that is characterized by three major symptoms - impairment in social interactions, impairments in communication, and restrictive repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior.
For a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder, impairments in social interactions must include two of the following: lack of eye contact or other gestures to regulate social interactions, failure to develop developmentally appropriate relationships with peers, a lack of desire to share enjoyment with others, or a lack of social or emotional reciprocity.
Impairments in communication must be manifested in one of three forms of impairment including a delay of or complete lack of language development, inability to initiate or sustain conversation with others, repetitive use of language, or lack of spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative language.
Restrictive repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior must be manifested in one of the following ways: preoccupation with one or more stereotyped behaviors or interests that is disproportionally intense, extreme inflexibility with routine, stereotyped or repetitive movements, or a preoccupation with specific parts of objects.
One or more of these symptoms must be delayed or abnormally functioning prior to age 3. Autistic Disorder is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder. The following notes are taken from the DSM-IV. There are various symptoms that, in certain combinations, indicate the presence of Autistic Disorder. What is given here is informational, and it is not sufficient to determine a diagnosis. Anyone who is concerned about a child should seek professional help before leaping to unfounded conclusions based on these general summarized notes. A child with Autistic Disorder may show: Marked impairment in the use of nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression; Failure developing peer relationships; Lack of social or emotional reciprocity; Delay in, or total lack of development of spoken language; Impairment in ability to initiate or sustain conversations; Repetitive or idiosyncratic use of language; Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior; Inflexible adherence to routines or rituals; Preoccupation with parts of objects. Any of these may be caused by other conditions. Only professional assessment can lead to a meaningful diagnosis and course of treatment. As is the case with any interesting diagnostic information, there is a temptation to read symptomatology into ordinary behaviors, and the truth is that many ordinary people have done one or more of the above at one point or another in their lives.
How are Paraneoplastic syndromes diagnosed?
PS should be evaluated clinically by a coordinated team of doctors, including medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, hematologists, neurologists, and dermatologists.
Most likely Autism is caused by more than one thing. Autism is an incredibly wide categories and the symptoms range dramatically. Some theories behind the symptoms are vaccines, diets, and genetics.
Vaccines is a very controversial theory because there is really no proof behind it. Some things seen personally was the time line between when symptoms started occurring and when the majority of vaccines were administered. For doctors to look at vaccines I believe doctors and people will have to look at more than just one thing.
Diets are not per say the cause behind the autism but in some cases can influence the symptoms of Autism. Some diets that families have tried are the Gluten( wheat protein) and Ceisan (milk protein), the preservatives and artificial flavorings/coloring. for those with autism that also have gastric related issues diets can be highly beneficial.
Genetic is one very common for people and doctors to run to.
None of these are proven nor is there a proven cure for Autism
Personally I believe that there may be a genetic component but I also think that the amount of Vaccines received before the age of two is ridiculous. I also think that if a child's immune system is compromised by any reason at an early the vaccines should be administered at a later time. I personally have also seen the gluten and ceisan free diet do amazing thing for children that had gastric problem. Many symptoms got dramatically better.
No. They are both neurological disorders, however autism is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is characterized by inattention, lethargy, disorganization, procrastination, forgetfulness, and easy distractedness.
Do autistic people repeat themselves?
Repeating phrases and vocalizations of others is known as echolalia. Although not a diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorders, echolalia is common among autistic children. You may notice the child repeating phrases they hear, verses from songs, or lines from movies sometimes in response to questions. Other times they may repeat the question asked of them instead of answering. It is a part of the way we process information. Repeated vocalization, as well as repeated body movements, can also a form of "stimming"--a way to deal with over stimulation, or stress; a calming mechanism. More information on Echolalia: http://autism.answers.com/symptoms/echolalia-in-autism-why-does-my-child-repeat-everything-i-say; more information on "Stimming": http://autism.answers.com/behaviors/stimming-in-autism-why-it-is-a-good-thing
Can autism be caused by drinking and smoking?
No, smoking while pregnant does not cause Autism.
Autism is a neurological difference, being born Autistic does not mean that you were supposed to be born neurotypical and your brain went wrong due to your mothers actions while pregnant with you. Autism is believed to be primarily genetic, it comes down to parents genes.
Do autistic people have autistic children?
Yes this is possible but this depends on how much autism the father has and so then it may go to the child in the mothers womb and this also depends if the mother has autism . Hope this helped:D
Could your baby be born with Asperger's Syndrome?
Most cases of autism or Asperger's Syndrome have nothing to do with prenatal exposure to drugs. I must emphasize this.
A mother who uses drugs while pregnant is a little more likely to give birth to a child with autism or a related disorder than one who does not use drugs. For example, children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - caused by heavy drinking during pregnancy - are more likely to have autistic traits. Also, certain seizure medications have been associated with autism in a few cases.
Still, please do not assume anything about parents or families of children with any type disabilities (some people do). Like I mentioned, the great majority of mothers of children with Asperger's Syndrome had nothing to do with drugs while pregnant. The exact causes of autism and Asperger's Syndrome are unknown, but it does run in families so there is probably a genetic component.
How much money is funded to find a cure for autism?
It's impossible to say for sure how much money goes into funding for research into a 'cure' for Autism overall, but an example would be to look at Autism Speaks which is the largest organisation focusing on Autism in the US and is pro-eugenics* so supports finding a 'cure'. In 2012 Autism Speaks put $15,790,797 into research, most of which was focused on finding a 'cure'.
* Autism is a neurological difference; it's how a persons brain works and who they are, as such Autism cannot be seperated from the person. Autism can no more be cured than you can cure being African-American, the only way to get rid of autism would be to get rid of all the Autistic people. In supporting a cure what people are saying is that Autistic people are worth less than Neurotypical people, or that Autistic people are broken Neurotypical people, and to support finding a 'cure' for autism is essentially supporting eugenics.
Is it possible to fully get rid of autism?
there is no real cure for Autism. the only thing that can help stop the process of autism from getting worse is to have the affected child be in Programs that will help him cope with his disability. but the only way that autism can really be cured is if someone is not born with it, but otherwise there is no Known cure of autism
Autism Awareness day is April 2nd and Autism Awareness Month is April.
Be aware that many Autistic people dislike Autism Awareness because the issue is no longer a lack of awareness but a lack of acceptance, also because Autism Awareness campaigns are heavily connected with the likes of Autism Speaks which is considered to be a hate group for the harmful propaganda and abuse it uses towards Autistic people. Consider looking into Autism Acceptance instead of Autism Awareness, do not support Autism Speaks and avoid puzzle pieces as well as the color blue in April, promote supporting Autistic people and always center Autistic voices.
Why is a child diagnosed with autism every 20 minutes?
For the same reason so many adults have autism, also for the same reason so many children and adults are neurotypical - it's just how we're born. This question is like asking 'why are so many children black?'.
Who can get Asperger's Syndrome?
Knowing exactly who has Asperger's and who does not is currently not possible for most people in so-called "normal" society.
A:There are visible signs of the condition, mostly displayed in the behavior of those who have it. Such people can be said to have Asperger's, and many of them crack that it, however, does NOT have them.
A:Asperger's Syndrome can affect people of any race, gender, religious background, nationality, social class, etc. It can be inherited or be a spontaneous genetic mutation. It is more often diagnosed in males than in females.
Where is the best autism education program in America?
As no two children with autism are alike, the best approach is an individualized one. The answer to your question depends on A) THE AGE OF THE CHILD IN QUESTION and B) The severity of the syndrome ie. Is the child very high functioning or is he/she severely affected?
The very first thing to do is EDUCATE yourself on the education law (IDEA) and on autism. Keep all records, behavior, doctor's visits, medical records, etc.
If your child is younger than three, the first thing to do is have the child evaluated by an "Early Intervention" team, Preschool Assessment Center or infant/ toddler connection. They will then inform you of your child's needs and the services available.
If the child is of school age, request an evaluation through the public school system.
The approach for a child who is severely affected will be very different from the approach for a high functioning child. There are a lot of sites claiming a CURE-- AVOID them like the plague!! They are nothing but quacks---THERE IS NO CURE FOR AUTISM--ONLY APPROPRIATE AND EARLY EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION.
Finally, find out what programs are offered through the public school system and if the teachers have been trained in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Some states are known to be further advanced in autism programs--California, New York. Look into the services and talk to Occupational therapists, physical therapists and developmental specialists; they usually know the best programs/ schools but I can't stress enough that your own homework will provide the most accurate answers as to what is best for your child. BECOME AN EXPERT IN AUTISM AND THE IDEA-- THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT .
Diana (nurse and parent of a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder)
What are some techniques for calming an autistic child?
You don't - if an Autistic child is upset then increasing their stress by touching them isn't going to help. Autistic people usually have sensory issues, invading their space and touching them when upset is thus at best a bad idea and at worst could be considered to be abusive.
How can you cure your son with mild autism?
How you cope with your Autistic sons behavior depends on what behavior he's displaying and what problems it is causing. One of the most important things to remember is that your child is Autistic, too often neurotypical parents of Autistic children try to force their children to act like they're neurotypical - this puts a lot of extra stress on a child so can make their Autism worse, but also it is telling your child you don't respect them. The more you work WITH your childs Autism the easier life will be for you, your child, and everyone else in your lives.
How has autism chaneged since the 1930?
Essentially none.
Medical recognition of autism has come only in the past few decades--the first use of "autism" in its modern sense was in 1943. As late as the 70s, many blamed lack of parental attention for autism in children.
In the 1930s, it seems most likely that autism would have been diagnosed as a form of schizophrenia. Antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia did not come about until the 50s. Insulin shock therapy came about in the 30s as a treatment for schizophrenia, but the odds of it doing anything for autism are less than remote.
What is the mildest form of autism?
Some would claim that 'Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified' (PDD-NOS) or 'Atypical Autism' is the least severe (note: I did not use the term 'mildest' as Autism is never mild) form of Autism, but it has become widely acknowledged of recent that these separate categories are best included under the heading of 'Asperger's Syndrome' as there are no real valid reasons left existing for them to have separate labels.
More and more, professionals are realising that the differences between people with Asperger's syndrome, and their developmental differences especially, are the result of the myriad of strategies such people employ to cope in an often hostile or aversive world, a result of the unlikeliness of any given person with AS being influenced much by those around them, a result of the wide range of impacts their environments and upbringing have on them. E.g. it is possible for a person to be mute at one end of the Asperger's spectrum and yet another to be prosaically articulate and exceedingly verbose at the other end. With every permutation imaginable between.
What is the oldest age a child can develop autism?
There is no age when a child can develop autism. Autism is a neurological difference, it developsin the womb while the brain is developing - thus a person is born with autistic, they do not develop autism.
Why do environmental factors affect people with autism?
No, as far as we know there are no environmental factors that lead to autism - autism isn't 'triggered' it is a neurological variation. This however does not stop people using autism to try to support their agenda, for example some people claim vaccines, GMO's or pesticides cause autism.
Can autistic children go to normal schools?
Yes, autistic children can be taught in mainstream schools. Most autistic children are likely to be mainstreamed, one reason being that autistic children thrive in mainstream school when they're allowed to learn and interact with their neurotypical peers. Often in special education autistic children aren't challenged enough, this is true in mainstream schools too but worse in special education.
You must be referring to an autistic savant. Basically, its an autistic person who has savant syndrome.
Is paranoia a symptom of aspergers?
Paranoia can become a symptom of AS (more oftenly during teen years as they become more aware of themselves in public).
Paranoia is not a rare thing for people with AS as some may have it due to not being able to understand what to do in a social event.
