Autism

MIRANDA NATROP

Definition

A mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by

difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people
and in using language and abstract concepts.

Autism is a spectrum condition. This means that while all people with
autism share certain difficulties, the condition affects each person
differently.

One of the best known forms of autism is Asperger syndrome. People

with the condition are often of average or above-average intelligence.

Family history

Cause of Disorder

Most researchers do agree that environmental factors play a role.

Many parents reported that sharp regression occurred in their children

directly following immunizations.

Many researchers believe autism is a genetic disorder, but the rapid

rise in the rate of autism over the last 20 years cannot be attributed
solely to genetics.

Scientists and researchers cannot pinpoint an exact cause of autism.

Population/Age Groups Affected

About one out of every 88 children in the United States currently has autism.

About 36,500 of every 4 million children born each year in the United States
will have autism.

Data show that boys are four to five times more likely than girls to have
autism.

Current research shows that autism occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social
groups.

Premature babies and babies of older parents are more at risk of being
diagnosed with autism.

Autism touches the lives of over two million people each day.

The Impact of the Disorder on Daily

Life and Ability to Function

Everyday life for people with autism can be confusing, frightening and lack meaning.

Those with the condition share three main areas of difficulty, which are sometimes called
the triad of impairments.

Difficulty with social communication

Difficulty with social interaction

Difficulty with social imagination

Sensory sensitivity

Hate loud noises or like loud noises

Many plug their ears in crowds because of all of the noise

Special interests

Love of routines

Focus on a specific thing for long periods of times

Do not like change

Learning disabilities

Therapies/Tests/Medicines for
Treatment of Disorder

Health Professionals Involved in

Diagnosis/Treatment/Overall care of
Individual

Works Cited

http://nationalautismassociation.org/about-autism/causes-of-autism/

https://
www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism/conditioninfo/Pages/at-risk.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/autism/pages/autismoverview.aspx