|
|
AUTISM
Autism is classified by the World
Health Organization and American Psychological Association as a
developmental disability that results from a disorder of the human central
nervous system. It is diagnosed using specific criteria for impairments to
social interaction, communication, interests, imagination and activities.
The causes, symptoms, etiology, treatment, and other issues are
controversial.
Autism manifests itself "before the age of three years" according to the
World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases
(ICD-10) Autistic children are marked by delays in their "social
interaction, language as used in social communication, or symbolic or
imaginative play"
From a physiological standpoint, autism is often less than obvious in that
outward appearance may not indicate a disorder. Diagnosis typically comes
from a complete patient history and physical and neurological evaluation.
The incidence of diagnosed autism has increased since the 1990s.
Reasons offered for this phenomenon include better diagnosis, wider public
awareness of the condition, regional variations in diagnostic criteria, or
simply an increase in the occurrence of ASD (autism spectrum disorders).
The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate the
prevalence of autism spectrum disorders to be about one in every 150
children.In 2005, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) stated
the "best conservative estimate" as 1 in 1000. In 2006, NIMH estimated
that the incidence was 2-6 in every 1000
There are numerous theories as to the specific causes of autism, but they
are as yet unproven (see section on "Causes" below). Proposed factors
include genetic influence, anatomical variations (e.g. head
circumference), abnormal blood vessel function and oxidative stress. Their
significance as well as implications for treatment remain speculative.
Conversely, some autistic children and adults are opposed to attempts to
cure autism. These people see autism as part of who they are, and in some
cases they perceive treatments and attempts of a cure to be unethical. |
1
Terminology
2
History
3
Characteristics
Key Behaviors
Noted behaviors
Social development
Sensory system
Autism and blindness
Communication difficulties
Repetitive behaviors
Effects in education
4
DSM definition
5
Types of autism
Asperger's and Kanner's syndrome
Autism as a spectrum disorder
6
Epidemiology
7
Treatment
8
Causes
Physiology and Neurology
Genetic Component
9
Sociology
Community and politics
Culture
Autistic adults
Terminology
Autistic savants
References |
