What is autism?
Autism is a lifelong condition, which has a detrimental effect on certain areas of development. Autism is usually diagnosed in young children and is more common in boys than girls. Autism affects three main areas of development, including social skills, communications skills and the development of the imagination. Most people with autism are diagnosed before the age of three.
What are the symptoms of autism?
Many people with autism are very intelligent and there are no physical symptoms of the disorder. However, autistic people struggle with social interaction and often find it confusing and frightening to be surrounded by large crowds of people. People with autism often find it difficult to interact with other people and understand their emotions and feelings. People with autism tend to like routine and some are very particular. Autistic people are also resistant to change and like their environment to stay the same.
Symptoms of autism in young babies include unresponsiveness, a lack of facial expressions, no recognition of voices or familiar sounds and a lack of interest in communication and face to face contact. Symptoms in older children include a lack of interest in playing, delayed speech, a lack of awareness of pain, unusual, exaggerated reactions to noise and lights, a lack of desire to interact and play with other children and the development of repetitive actions or behaviour, such as clicking their fingers and rocking backwards and forwards.
How common is autism?
Autistic spectrum disorders are more than common than many people would think. Autism affects more than 500,000 people in the UK and 1 in 100 children have an autistic spectrum disorder. In recent years, the number of cases has increased but this does not necessarily mean that the condition is becoming more common. It may just be down to the fact that the condition is being recognised and diagnosed more than in the past.
What causes autism?
Research into the causes of autism is ongoing, as there is a great deal of uncertainty as to what actually causes autism. 90 percent of cases of autism are classed as primary, meaning that there is no underlying health condition that has contributed to autism. The remaining 10 percent of cases may be linked to health conditions, which cause symptoms of autism, including Rett Syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and Tuberous sclerosis.
Research into primary autism has revealed four possible factors, which may cause primary autism, including environmental factors, genetics, psychological factors and neurological factors.
Is there a cure for autism?
There is no cure for autism but many people manage to live a normal, fulfilled life. There is no miracle treatment but autism but people are much more aware of the condition nowadays and there are ways in which the condition can be managed. Many people with autism receive help and support in a variety of different ways and this help enables them to be as independent as possible.
