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Autism - Usually Starts Before A Child Is Three Years Old!
>> Friday, August 19, 2011
Introduction
Autism is a developmental abnormality of the brain that 1st shows signs during infancy or childhood and continues with no remission or relapse. It is very heritable, although the genetics are complex and it is not known specifically which genes cause it. The disorder is characterized by a set of symptoms rather than a single symptom and the needs of people who have it vary greatly. It is recognized by diminished social interaction, problems with verbal/nonverbal communication, and uncommon, repetitive, or extremely limited activities and interests.
Symptoms
Signs often include problems with utilizing and understanding language; difficulty relating to other people, objects, and events; odd play with toys and other objects; difficulty coping with changes in routine or normal surroundings, and repetitive body movements or behavior patterns. They can vary from mild to very severe. Parents often become aware of autistic signs in their child around the time of a routine vaccination.
Parental concern about vaccinations has led to a decreasing rate of childhood immunizations and an increasing likelihood of measles outbreaks; But there is overwhelming scientific evidence showing no causal relationship between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism, and there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine preservative thiomersal triggers or causes the behavior.
The growing popularity of drug treatment choices and the expansion of benefits has given physicians incentives to diagnose ASD, resulting in some over diagnosis of children with uncertain signs. Children with ASD may respond atypically to drugs and the drugs can have adverse side effects. There is no known medication that eases autism's core symptoms of social and communication impairments.
Research
Researchers have isolated several brain abnormalities in those with autism; But, the reasons for these abnormalities is not understood nor is the influence that they might have on behavior. Research has shown that parents are often correct about noticing developmental problems, although they may not realize the specific nature or degree of the problem.
Environmental factors that have been claimed to add to or exacerbate the condition, or may be important in future research, include certain kinds of foods, infectious disease, heavy metals, solvents, diesel exhaust, PCBs, phthalates and phenols used in plastic compounds, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, and vaccines.
Treatment
Therapy include behavior and communication therapies, medicines to control symptoms and is most fruitful when geared toward the child's particular requirements. The important goals are to reduce associated deficits and family distress, and to increase quality of life and functional independence. Through out the years, families have tried many types of traditional and non-traditional means to reduce autistic behaviors and to raise normal behaviors. The two which have received the most empirical support are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA; behavior modification) and the use of vitamin B6 along with magnesium supplements.
For a great number of children, signs get better with treatment and with age. Parents should be ready to adjust therapy for their child as required. The ideal therapy plan coordinates therapies and interventions that focus on the core symptoms of autism: faulty social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitious routines and interests. Parents should use caution before adopting any of these treatments.
Conclusion
Autism is a brain development disease that impairs social interaction and communication, and produces restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before a child reaches three years old. It is three times more likely to hit males than females. The disorder varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, particularly in mildly affected children or when it is masked by more debilitating handicaps. Autism is not treated with surgery or medication (although some may be given drugs to improve certain symptoms, like aggressive behavior or attention problems). It continues to be a challenging condition for individuals and their families, but the outlook today is much better than it was a generation ago.
Autism is a developmental abnormality of the brain that 1st shows signs during infancy or childhood and continues with no remission or relapse. It is very heritable, although the genetics are complex and it is not known specifically which genes cause it. The disorder is characterized by a set of symptoms rather than a single symptom and the needs of people who have it vary greatly. It is recognized by diminished social interaction, problems with verbal/nonverbal communication, and uncommon, repetitive, or extremely limited activities and interests.
Symptoms
Signs often include problems with utilizing and understanding language; difficulty relating to other people, objects, and events; odd play with toys and other objects; difficulty coping with changes in routine or normal surroundings, and repetitive body movements or behavior patterns. They can vary from mild to very severe. Parents often become aware of autistic signs in their child around the time of a routine vaccination.
Parental concern about vaccinations has led to a decreasing rate of childhood immunizations and an increasing likelihood of measles outbreaks; But there is overwhelming scientific evidence showing no causal relationship between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism, and there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine preservative thiomersal triggers or causes the behavior.
The growing popularity of drug treatment choices and the expansion of benefits has given physicians incentives to diagnose ASD, resulting in some over diagnosis of children with uncertain signs. Children with ASD may respond atypically to drugs and the drugs can have adverse side effects. There is no known medication that eases autism's core symptoms of social and communication impairments.
Research
Researchers have isolated several brain abnormalities in those with autism; But, the reasons for these abnormalities is not understood nor is the influence that they might have on behavior. Research has shown that parents are often correct about noticing developmental problems, although they may not realize the specific nature or degree of the problem.
Environmental factors that have been claimed to add to or exacerbate the condition, or may be important in future research, include certain kinds of foods, infectious disease, heavy metals, solvents, diesel exhaust, PCBs, phthalates and phenols used in plastic compounds, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, and vaccines.
Treatment
Therapy include behavior and communication therapies, medicines to control symptoms and is most fruitful when geared toward the child's particular requirements. The important goals are to reduce associated deficits and family distress, and to increase quality of life and functional independence. Through out the years, families have tried many types of traditional and non-traditional means to reduce autistic behaviors and to raise normal behaviors. The two which have received the most empirical support are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA; behavior modification) and the use of vitamin B6 along with magnesium supplements.
For a great number of children, signs get better with treatment and with age. Parents should be ready to adjust therapy for their child as required. The ideal therapy plan coordinates therapies and interventions that focus on the core symptoms of autism: faulty social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitious routines and interests. Parents should use caution before adopting any of these treatments.
Conclusion
Autism is a brain development disease that impairs social interaction and communication, and produces restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before a child reaches three years old. It is three times more likely to hit males than females. The disorder varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, particularly in mildly affected children or when it is masked by more debilitating handicaps. Autism is not treated with surgery or medication (although some may be given drugs to improve certain symptoms, like aggressive behavior or attention problems). It continues to be a challenging condition for individuals and their families, but the outlook today is much better than it was a generation ago.
