What is autism?

Autism is a life-long developmental disability that affects the individuals understanding of what he/she sees, hears and senses. This results in problems of social relationships, communication and behaviour. It is generally accepted that autism is an organic brain disorder.

What causes autism?

The cause or causes of autism are as yet unknown. No factors in the child's psychological or family environment cause autism.

What are the characteristics of autism?

The degree of severity of characteristics differs from person to person, but usually include disturbances in the following :

1. Communication

· Delay or absence in language development
· Difficulties understanding speech
· Difficulties using language
· Difficulties understanding and using gesture

2. Social Interaction

Difficulties with the following :
· understanding social relationships
· relating to others, may appear to "tune out"
· maintaining eye contact
· forming friendships
· understanding other peoples thoughts and feelings
· co-operative play

3. Unusual Sensory Responses
· may appear to be deaf
· may appear to have selective hearing
· may use peripheral vision
· may show extreme fear reactions
· apparent insensitivity to pain
· may show lack of responsiveness to cold or heat
· may overreact to any of these

4. Intellectual Functioning
· uneven pattern of skills
· some things may be done quite well in relation to overall functioning  eg. memorising dates, numbers, advertising jingles
. the majority of people with autism have varying degrees of intellectual disability.

What are the four main criteria used for diagnosis?

· Qualitative impairment in verbal and non verbal    communication
· Qualitative impairment in reciprocal social interaction
· Markedly restricted number of activities and interests and impaired imaginative play
· Evident during first 30 months of life

Activities and Interests

Restricted range of activities and interests:
· unusual repetitive body movements eg. hand flicking, spinning or rocking, walking on tip-toe
· rigidity in routines
· obsessive and ritualistic behaviour eg. peeling paint/wallpaper; smelling food before eating
· resistance to and difficulty adapting to change

Play

· lack of imaginative play (eg. make believe games)
· play inappropriate to the function of the toy eg. spinning wheels, lining up textas
· may have difficulty learning through imitation

Is autism hereditary?

Research indicates that genetic factors play a part in causing autism in some individuals. Most researchers agree that autism probably results from many separate causes.  These may include dietary and environmental factors.

What is the prognosis?

Studies have indicated that many people with autism may require varying degrees of support throughout their lives. It appears that an individuals intellectual ability may be an important factor in the long term prognosis.

What is the incidence of autism?

The quoted incidence of autism in research findings varies from 2 to 21 per 10,000 births.  In California in 2001 the incidence of autism spectrum disorders is 1 per 65 children.

Who is affected with autism?

Autism is distributed throughout the world among all races, nationalities and social classes. There are 3-4 times as many boys affected with autism than girls.

Is it known why there are more autistic males than females?

The reason why there are more autistic males than females is not known. However, this high ratio of boys to girls is found in a number of allied disorders involving language and learning problems.

Does autism occur in conjunction with other disabilities?

Autism can occur by itself or in association with other disorders such as intellectual disability, learning disability, epilepsy, rubella, Fragile-x syndrome, Down syndrome, deafness, visual impairment, Rhett's syndrome, William's syndrome, Floating Harbor syndrome, Angelman's syndrome, Tourette's Syndrome, autoimmune diseases etc. A significant number of individuals with autism will develop epilepsy prior to adulthood.

What is the difference between autism and intellectual disability?

Intellectually disabled people tend to have delayed language whilst the language of people with autism tends to be both delayed and disordered. Many have immediate or delayed echolalia (repetition of words or phrases). There is confusion over the use of pronouns and a tendency to interpret language literally.

What kind of approach is the most appropriate for teaching language?

The most appropriate approach for teaching language is that which best suits the individual. This can include signing, symbols, printed word, photos, verbal communication, or any combination of these.

How can people with autism be helped?

Behavioural methods are helpful in enhancing development in social, language, self-help, Co-operation and other basic skills. Special educational approaches with consistent, predictable and organised routines can help most children make gains in learning.

Can medication be useful with autistic individuals?

Medication has no specific role in autism and cannot be used in a curative sense, although anticonvulsants are required if epilepsy develops. In some cases where aggressive behaviour or depression develops, medication may be prescribed by a suitably qualified medical practitioner.

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