- does not cuddle or respond to affection and touching.
- does not make eye contact.
- appears to be unable to communicate.
- displays persistent failure to develop two-way social
relationships in any situation.
- does not show a preference for parents over other
adults.
- does not develop friendships with other children.
- has poor language skills; or nonexistent ones.
- shows unusual, extreme responses to objects – either
avoidance or preoccupation.
- finds moving objects, such as a fan, hold great
fascination.
- may form an unusual attachment to odd objects such as
a paper or rubberband.
- displays repetitive activities of a restrictive
range.
- spins and repeats body movements, such as arm
flapping.
- may repeat television commercials.
- may indulge in complex bedtime rituals.
The symptoms of autism range from mild to severe.
Although symptoms of the disorder sometimes can be seen in early
infancy, the condition may appear after months of normal development.
About 7 in every 10 children and adolescents with autism also have
mental retardation or other problems with their brain function or
structure.
How Common Is Autism?
Recent studies estimate that as many as 14
children out of 10,000 may have autism or a related condition. About
125,000 Americans are affected by these disorders, and nearly 4,000
families across the country have two or more children with autism.
Three times as many boys as girls have autism.
What Causes Autism?
Researchers are unsure about what causes autism.
Several studies suggest that autistic disorder might be caused by a
combination of biological factors, including exposure to a virus before
birth, a problem with the immune system, or genetics.
Treatments
Parents who suspect autism in their child should
ask their family doctor or pediatrician to refer them to a child and
adolescent psychiatrist, who can accurately diagnose the autism and the
degree of severity, and determine the appropriate educational measures.
Drugs are of minor importance in the treatment of
autism. Antidepressants occasionally help a little. Standard
antiviolence agents, especially antipsychotic drugs, lithium, and
beta-blockers, may be needed for autistic persons who strike out at
themselves or others. Conventional anti-psychotic drugs are often
highly sedative and have serious side effects, including body movement
disorders. Anticonvulsants may be useful; some researchers have
suggested that unrecognized partial complex epileptic seizures, which
cause changes in consciousness but not physical convulsions, are one
source of autistic behavior problems.
Little is known about the long-term effects of drugs on
autistic persons. They should be used only for specific symptoms, not
merely to keep a child docile or quiet the anxiety of a parent or
doctor.
Autism Effects the Whole FamilyThe symptoms of autism
range from mild to severe. Although symptoms of the disorder sometimes
can be seen in early infancy, the condition may appear after months of
normal development. About 7 in every 10 children and adolescents with
autism also have mental retardation or other problems with their brain
function or structure.
Autism Effects the Whole Family
In addition to working with autistic child, the
child and adolescent psychiatrist can help the family resolve stress –
for example, a feeling among the siblings that they are being neglected
in favor of the autistic child, or embarrassment about bringing their
friends home. The child and adolescent psychiatrist can help parents
with the emotional problems that may arise as a result of living with
an autistic child and also help them provide the best possible
nurturing and learning environment for the child.
Resources for the Parents
The parents of an autistic child bear a heavy
burden. They are frustrated by the child’s inability to communicate;
impulsiveness; emotional unresponsiveness; self-destructive behavior;
and eating and toileting problems. Some parents find it difficult to
accept the diagnosis and constantly look for other explanations. Many
cope well enough, but all can benefit from some guidance and services,
including counseling or supportive psychotherapy. An important resource
for parents is the Autism Society of America, a mutual aid group
founded in 1965, which provides information and referral services and
supports initiatives in research, education, and treatment.
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