What is autism? What are symptons of it?
Answers:
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.
Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. They may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Their communication is often described as talking at others instead of to them. (For example, monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments).
People with autism also process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits:
Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
Difficulty in expressing needs, using gestures or pointing instead of words
Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language
Laughing (and/or crying) for no apparent reason showing distress for reasons not apparent to others
Preference to being alone; aloof manner
Tantrums
Difficulty in mixing with others
Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled
Little or no eye contact
Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
Sustained odd play
Spinning objects
Obsessive attachment to objects
Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
No real fears of danger
Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity
Uneven gross/fine motor skills
Non responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf, although hearing tests in normal range.
Learn more at the Autism Society of America:
http://www.autism-society.org
Other Answers:
Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests
As early as infancy, a baby with autism may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time. A child with autism may appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement
Source(s):
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm#62063082
WOW..this is a very BROAD question BUT. Autism is a syndrome that qualifies you under Mental Health Problems. It causes your brain to have mal functions and it return the person (depending upon which kind of Autism and the severity of it) will limit your body and speech functions. Ex. One Autistic kid that I work with cannot talk very well, and looks absolutely well (as in there couldn't be anything wrong with him "normal"))But he has autism. His words are mumbly and has a hard time getting the phraces out. He is really good physically. Where as I have another kid that I work with that he looks physically unstable (he is diformed) and has a problem with his speech. So as I said it varies. The symtoms you want to look for are: hearing (the way the kid hears or listens and acts to certain commands) the way the kids looks (make sure that every part of his/her body is the way it should be) the way the kid talks (which is usually a given one.) Most of the time if your kid has Austism you would know by the age of 3 1/2 which is when the symtoms are more noticeable. Also your doctors (if they're any good) would have spotted the autism. Hope that this info has helped.
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