What is Autism?
Many people have heard of autism but few people actually have any idea what it really is, or what it entails. Autism affects many individuals and families all over the world. Studies estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have some form of autism, and males are four times more likely to have some form of autism than females. Many people know someone with some form of autism. People may have seen a movie featuring an actor with autism, or listened to music played by a band with an autistic member. Autism is a force in our society which affects many people. More information concerning autism can be found below.
Autism is a neural development disorder. The signs and symptoms of autism first appear at a very young age, during infancy or childhood. It is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by certain restricted or repetitive behaviors. These signs are generally noticed by an autistic’s child’s parents at a young age, generally by the age of three. Early signs of autism include:
- Little attention to social stimuli
- Smiling and looking at others less often than other children
- Little response to their own name
- Less eye contact and turn taking than other children
How Does Autism Work?
Autism affects how the brain processes information. It does so by changing how nerve cells connect to each other and organize themselves. It is not fully understood how exactly this occurs. Autism varies in the specifics and severity of the disorder, and occurs in all ethnic, socioeconomic and age groups, though males are more likely to be affected than females.
Causes Of Autism
The causes of autism are not completely known. Autism has a genetic basis, though it is unknown whether it is more influenced by mutation or by combinations of common genetics. There has been some controversy regarding possible environmental causes of autism such as heavy metals or pesticides, though nothing in that area has been proven. There has also been speculation regarding the possibility of childhood vaccines contributing to autism, though this theory lacks convincing scientific evidence.
The Prevalence of Autism
Autism, while not common, is not excessively rare either. On a global scale, about one to two people per every 1,000 people are affected with autism. Nationally, in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that approximately nine people per every 1,000 are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Autism diagnoses have increased in the United States since the 1980’s. This is partly because of changes in the diagnostic practice in general; it is unknown if the prevalence of autism has actually increased.
