What is Autism?

Autism is a lifelong pervasive developmental disorder resulting from a neurological disorder that affects brain functioning. Autism usually occurs during the first three years of life. Autism interferes with speech learning and social skill development. The symptoms of autism can range from mild to severe. Autism is more prevalent in boys than girls.

Autism is:

A lifelong developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects brain functioning.

Usually, autism occurs during the first three years of life.

The prevalance of autism now affects an estimated 1 in 166 births.
(Center for Disease Control Prevention, 2004)

Interferes with speech, learning, and social skill development.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe.

More prevalent in boys than girls.

Pervasive Developmental Disorders are also known as Autism Spectrum Disorders and include the following:

• Autism Disorder
• Asperger's Syndrome
• Rett's Syndrome
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

They include varying degrees of:

• Impairment in social interaction
• Impairment in communication
• Restricted, repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behavior
• Attributes of Pervasive Developmental Disorders
• Communication Deficits
• Socialization Problems
• Behavior Difficulties
• Cognitive Impairments

Characteristics of individuals with Autism

Communication:

• May be non-verbal or have very limited verbal abilities.
• May appear deaf or may not respond to verbal cues.
• May repeat words or phrases in place of normal communication.
• May have difficulty expressing needs; uses gestures or points.
• Can have high abilities in some areas, but not all.
• Easily frustrated, low motivation for weak and non-preferred areas.
• Difficulty in understanding cause and effect relationships.

Behavior:

• May have tantrums - display extreme distress for no apparent reason.
• May exhibit inappropriate laughing or giggling.
• May show no real fear of dangers.
• May have little or no eye contact.
• May appear insensitive to pain.
• May be sensitive to touch, sound, or bright lights.
• May exhibit self-stimulating behaviors such as hand flapping, finger flicking, or body rocking.
• Restricted and repetitive behaviors in regards to interests and activities.
• Withdrawal both physically and mentally.

Social:

• Difficulty with peer relationships
• Usually seek younger children as playmates
• Lack of spontaneous sharing of interests or achievements
• Lack of showing, bringing, or pointing to an item or activities of interest to others
• Likes to share own areas of interest exclusively
• Lack of social and emotional reciprocity