It is a type of pervasive developmental disorder, or PDD.
It is sometimes called infantile autism or autistic disorder.
It causes a wide range of developmental problems in young children.
An autistic child often has problems with social skills, communication,
and behavior.
What causes it?
The cause is unknown.
It may have something to do with genetics or how the brain works.
Different children may have autism for different reasons.
Parents do not cause autism.
Autism has not been linked to vaccines. Symptoms usually become more obvious
in the second year of life, which happens to be around the same time most
children get a vaccine for measles. The vaccine does not cause the symptoms.
Who can get it?
Anyone can get autism.
It is more common in boys than in girls.
Parents of a child with autism are more likely to have another child with
autism.
What are signs my child could be autistic?
Most babies are very social. They like to cuddle and laugh. They respond
positively to interaction. A child with autism does not interact in these
ways.
An autistic child's physical appearance is normal.
She may not like to be touched or held.
She may have strange, repetitive behaviors.
She may seem to be in her own world and lack interest in other people.
She may prefer to play with toys or objects instead of people.
Parents may worry that their child is deaf because she hasn't learned to
talk and doesn't respond to people.
Autistic children often seem withdrawn.
How is it diagnosed?
Autism cannot be diagnosed at birth.
It is usually diagnosed by the time a child is 3 years old.
Parents usually begin to notice symptoms when the child is young. 25% of
children are diagnosed in the first year of life. 50% are usually diagnosed
in the second year. 25% are usually diagnosed in the third year.
The child should be seen by a doctor as soon as parents notice symptoms.
She may need to be seen by a developmental pediatrician or psychiatrist
(special doctors who are trained to diagnose autism).
The doctor will watch your child and ask you about her symptoms. How have
her social and language skills changed over time? Her behavior?
She may need tests.
What are the symptoms? Autism usually affects a child's social skills, communication skills, and
behavior. Symptoms can be mild or severe. Every child has different symptoms.
Symptoms often get worse in adolescence (10 - 14 years old).
Social Skills
Lacks social skills, does not seem interested in others.
Seems unaware of others' feelings.
Avoids eye contact.
Does not like to be touched or held.
Does not respond to name.
Likes to play alone.
Seems in her own world.
Communication Skills
Begins speaking later than most children.
May not speak at all.
Has problems with language. May call herself "she" instead of "I."
Forgets how to say words and sentences that she knew before.
Doesn't know how to use words.
Can't start a conversation or keep one going.
Repeats what other people say.
Repeats a word or phrase over and over again.
Speaks in rhyme or a singsong voice.
Behavior
Has repetitive routines.
Routines often reflect a need to maintain order. (Child may need to
line up her shoes every morning before she is ready to leave. Gets upset
if you move the shoes.)
Is upset if routines are changed. (May get very upset if bus is late.)
Repetitive behavior, such as rocking back and forth or flapping hands.
Self-injury, such as banging her head or biting.
May have tantrums.
Overly active.
May play with one part of a toy. Fascinated by things that spin, for
example.
Likes to play alone.
Does not often play imaginary games.
May react in strange ways to loud noises and high-pitched sounds.
May have one extreme talent (drawing, solving math problems, remembering
statistics, etc.)
May learn quickly and be very intelligent.
Despite intelligence may still lack social skills or have problems communicating.
May be slow to learn new skills.
May have problems adjusting to new situations.
Is it contagious?
No. Autism is not contagious.
How is it treated?
There is no cure.
Treatment is aimed at helping your child reach her highest potential (learn
as much as she can).
Every child has strengths and weaknesses.
Children often benefit from special education programs and behavior training.
Some children may need special teachers or classes or may need to go to
a special school. Other children may work best in a "regular" classroom.
Children can often be trained in specific skills.
Medication may help.
What can I do to help?
Join your child where she is playing.
Try to introduce her to a variety of activities. If she likes spinning toys,
show her several toys that spin.
She may not respond to spoken praise. Try other ways to reward her. After
she behaves well, give her extra time to play with a favorite toy.
Use lots of visuals to help her understand spoken language. Use pictures,
photos, symbols, or gestures. Teach her how to use the pictures to talk to
you.
Try to teach your child important life skills, such as crossing the street,
taking the bus, dialing her home phone number, and cooking.
Autistic children have special needs that can be stressful. Developmental
pediatricians, psychiatrists, teachers, social workers, and others can help
families cope and teach them how to manage a treatment plan for their child.
Get help if you are having problems coping. Parents often experience stages
of grief when their child is diagnosed with autism. Talk to your doctor.
How long does it last?
Autism cannot be cured but treatment can often help reduce symptoms.
Success often depends on how severe the symptoms are.
The child may be able to learn new skills or taught how to control her behavior.
Some children may be able to live on their own.
Children with more severe autism may never learn how to do the everyday
tasks they need to be independent.
Can it be prevented?
There is no known way to prevent autism.
When should I call the doctor?
Call your doctor if your child shows behaviors from "Signs"
and "Symptoms" above.
Call your doctor, your child's doctor, your child's school, or a support
group for help. There are many organizations that can help you cope and teach
you how to manage life with an autistic child.
Your autistic child has a legal right to receive special services at school.
Talk to your doctor or teachers for more information. They can help you decide
what school setting and education plan will be best for your child.
Quick Answers
Autism is a developmental disability.
The cause is unknown. Different children may have autism for different reasons.
Anyone can get autism. It is more common in boys than in girls.
Most babies respond positively to interaction. A child with autism often
does not.
It is usually diagnosed by the time a child is 3 years old.
Autism usually affects a child's social skills, communication skills, and
behavior.
It is not contagious.
Treatment is aimed at helping your child learn as much as she can.
Use lots of visuals to help her understand spoken language.
Autism cannot be cured but treatment can often help reduce symptoms.
There is no known way to prevent it.
Call your doctor, your child's doctor, your child's school, or a support
group for help.
References
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The Child with Autism.
1997 (cited 2002 February 19). URL: http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/autistic.htm
MayoClinic. What is Autism? 2001 February 13 (cited 2002 February 19). URL:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/conditioncenters/invoke.cfm?objectid=3710611C-2A4D-4E6B-B91023AC481ECA12
Walter, R. Understanding Autism. KidsHealth. 2001 October (cited 2002 February
19). URL: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/autism.html
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