| Autism is a complex developmental disability that | | | | blind, with cardiac problems, developmental delays and |
| typically appears during the first three years of life. It is | | | | other medical conditions. |
| a result of a neurological disorder that affects the | | | | - Untreated Phenylkentonuria (PKU) - the absence or |
| normal functioning of the brain, impacting development | | | | deficiency of an enzyme that is responsible for |
| in the areas of social interaction and communication | | | | processing the essential amino acid phyenylalanine. |
| skills. It is characterized by impaired social interaction, | | | | This is detectable during the first days of life with |
| problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, | | | | appropriate blood testing. |
| and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities, or | | | | - Kluver-Bucy Syndrome - a rare behavioral |
| interest. Autism is a "spectrum disorder" that affects | | | | impairment that is associated with damage to both of |
| individuals differently and to varying degrees. | | | | the anterior temporal lobes of the brain. |
| Autism is one of five disorders that falls under | | | | - Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) - a complex |
| Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other | | | | non-hereditary birth defect resulting from an |
| four are Asperger disorder, PDD-NOS, CDD and Rett | | | | abnormality on the 15th chromosome. |
| disorder. Autism is the most common PDD. It knows | | | | - Lesch-Nyhan Disease (LND) - is most commonly |
| no racial, ethnic or social boundaries. It is four times | | | | inherited but it can also occur as a spontaneous |
| more prevalent in boys then girls. It is believed to be | | | | genetic mutation. It is a rare X-linked recessive disorder |
| growing at a rate of 10 to 17% per yer in the United | | | | involving a virtually complete absence of activity of the |
| States, according to statistics from the U.S. | | | | enzyme hypoxanthine-phosphoribosyltransferase |
| Department of Education. There are no medical tests | | | | (HPRT). You can access more information on the |
| for diagnosing autism. There is no cure for autism. | | | | above conditions through their websites. Type in the |
| Children with autism have a higher than normal risk for | | | | condition or disease as a Google search and it should |
| certain co-existing conditions: | | | | bring up the website (most end in .org). |
| - Cornelia deLange Syndrome - a congenital | | | | Many therapists believe that use of a highly structured |
| syndrome, present from birth. | | | | and intensive skill-oriented program to help children |
| - Tourette's Syndrome - a neurobiological disorder | | | | develop the use of language and social skills is the |
| characterized by tics - involuntary, rapid, sudden | | | | best way to work with autistic children. Others feel |
| movements and/or vocal outbursts that occur | | | | differently. There are various programs available to |
| repeatedly. Evident in early childhood or adolescence | | | | parents who are seeking a different approach to |
| before the age of 18. | | | | working with their autistic child. Few of these programs |
| - Fragile X Syndrome - the most common cause of | | | | have the support of the scientific community. Parents |
| inherited mental impairment. | | | | should be cautious when trying a different approach. |
| - Williams Syndrome - a rare genetic condition which | | | | For many children, autism improves with treatment and |
| causes medical and developmental problems. | | | | age. Some children will grow up to lead normal or near |
| - Downs Syndrome - the most common occurring | | | | normal lives. There are some wonderful books written |
| chromosomal condition. | | | | by autistic people about their lives. They give hope to |
| - Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) - a genetic | | | | those parents who are raising a child with autism. |
| disorder that causes tumors to form in many different | | | | Depending on whose reports you read, autism affects |
| organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin | | | | three to six children our of every 1,000; according to |
| and lungs. | | | | the International Center for Autism Research and |
| - Landau-Kleffner Syndrome - a childhood disorder; | | | | Education. Or, 1 in every 150 American children; |
| gradual or sudden loss of the ability to understand and | | | | according to a report out in February of 2007 by the |
| use spoken language. | | | | Center for Disease Control. This is a big difference. |
| - Congenital Rubella Syndrome - when a mother | | | | Why are so many American children affected with |
| passes the rubella virus (German Measles) to their | | | | Autism? |
| developing fetus, causing the child to be born deaf, | | | | |