Autism - Affects Males 3 Times More Than Females!
Introduction
Autism is a developmental disease of the brain that first exhibits signs during infancy or childhood and continues without any abatement or relapse. It is capable of being passed from one generation to the next, although the genetics are complex and it is not known exactly which genes transfer it. The disorder is characterized by a group of symptoms rather than one simple symptom and the needs of persons who have it vary greatly. It is identified by impaired social behavior, problems with verbal/nonverbal communication, and odd, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.
Symptoms
Symptoms frequently include trouble with using and recognizing language; difficulty relating to individuals, objects, and happenings; unusual play with toys and other objects; difficulty with variations in routine or familiar surroundings, and repetitious body movements or behavior patterns. They can range from mild to very severe. Parents frequently become aware of autistic symptoms in their child around the time of a normal vaccination.
Parental worries about vaccines has led to a decreasing rate of childhood immunizations and an increasing likelihood of measles epidemics; However there is overwhelming scientific evidence indicating no causal association between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism, and there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine preservative thiomersal aids or causes the behavior.
The growing popularity of drug treatment choices and the expansion of benefits has given physicians incentives to diagnose ASD, resulting in some over diagnosis of children with uncertain signs. Children with ASD may respond atypically to drugs and the drugs can have adverse side effects. There is no known medication that eases autism's core symptoms of social and communication impairments.
Research
Researchers have found several brain abnormalities in persons with autism; Even so, the reasons for these abnormalities has not been determine nor is the influence that they may have on behavior. Research has shown that parents are usually correct about noticing developmental problems, although they may not understand the specific nature or degree of the problem.
Environmental factors that have been claimed to add to or exacerbate the condition, or may be important in future research, include certain kinds of foods, infectious disease, heavy metals, solvents, diesel exhaust, PCBs, phthalates and phenols used in plastic compounds, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, and vaccines.
Treatment
Therapy include behavior and communication therapies, medicines to control symptoms and is most fruitful when geared toward the child's particular requirements. The important goals are to reduce associated deficits and family distress, and to increase quality of life and functional independence. Through out the years, families have tried many types of traditional and non-traditional means to reduce autistic behaviors and to raise normal behaviors. The two which have received the most empirical support are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA; behavior modification) and the use of vitamin B6 along with magnesium supplements.
For a lot of children, symptoms improve with therapy and with age. Parents should be prepared to adjust treatment for their child when required. The most perfect treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communicating, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. Parents should use caution prior to adopting any of these treatments.
Conclusion
Autism is a brain development disorder that effects social interaction and communication, and creates restricted and repetitive behavior, all beginning before a child is 3 years old. It is 3 times more likely to strikes males than females. The disorder varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unnoticed, especially in mildly affected children or when it is masked by more debilitating handicaps. Autism can not be treated with surgery or medicine (although a few may be given medicine to improve certain symptoms, like aggressive behavior or attention problems). It remains a challenging problem for individuals and their families, but the outlook today is much better than it was a generation ago.
Autism is a developmental disease of the brain that first exhibits signs during infancy or childhood and continues without any abatement or relapse. It is capable of being passed from one generation to the next, although the genetics are complex and it is not known exactly which genes transfer it. The disorder is characterized by a group of symptoms rather than one simple symptom and the needs of persons who have it vary greatly. It is identified by impaired social behavior, problems with verbal/nonverbal communication, and odd, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.
Symptoms
Symptoms frequently include trouble with using and recognizing language; difficulty relating to individuals, objects, and happenings; unusual play with toys and other objects; difficulty with variations in routine or familiar surroundings, and repetitious body movements or behavior patterns. They can range from mild to very severe. Parents frequently become aware of autistic symptoms in their child around the time of a normal vaccination.
Parental worries about vaccines has led to a decreasing rate of childhood immunizations and an increasing likelihood of measles epidemics; However there is overwhelming scientific evidence indicating no causal association between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism, and there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine preservative thiomersal aids or causes the behavior.
The growing popularity of drug treatment choices and the expansion of benefits has given physicians incentives to diagnose ASD, resulting in some over diagnosis of children with uncertain signs. Children with ASD may respond atypically to drugs and the drugs can have adverse side effects. There is no known medication that eases autism's core symptoms of social and communication impairments.
Research
Researchers have found several brain abnormalities in persons with autism; Even so, the reasons for these abnormalities has not been determine nor is the influence that they may have on behavior. Research has shown that parents are usually correct about noticing developmental problems, although they may not understand the specific nature or degree of the problem.
Environmental factors that have been claimed to add to or exacerbate the condition, or may be important in future research, include certain kinds of foods, infectious disease, heavy metals, solvents, diesel exhaust, PCBs, phthalates and phenols used in plastic compounds, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, and vaccines.
Treatment
Therapy include behavior and communication therapies, medicines to control symptoms and is most fruitful when geared toward the child's particular requirements. The important goals are to reduce associated deficits and family distress, and to increase quality of life and functional independence. Through out the years, families have tried many types of traditional and non-traditional means to reduce autistic behaviors and to raise normal behaviors. The two which have received the most empirical support are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA; behavior modification) and the use of vitamin B6 along with magnesium supplements.
For a lot of children, symptoms improve with therapy and with age. Parents should be prepared to adjust treatment for their child when required. The most perfect treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communicating, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. Parents should use caution prior to adopting any of these treatments.
Conclusion
Autism is a brain development disorder that effects social interaction and communication, and creates restricted and repetitive behavior, all beginning before a child is 3 years old. It is 3 times more likely to strikes males than females. The disorder varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unnoticed, especially in mildly affected children or when it is masked by more debilitating handicaps. Autism can not be treated with surgery or medicine (although a few may be given medicine to improve certain symptoms, like aggressive behavior or attention problems). It remains a challenging problem for individuals and their families, but the outlook today is much better than it was a generation ago.
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