What is Autism?
Autism Signs/Characteristics
Autism Causes
Autism Diagnosis
Autism Prevalence
Autism Prognosis
Autism Facts
Autism Ribbon
Financial Assistance
What is
Autism?
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout
a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum
Disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it
more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all
racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys
than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to
others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such
as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms
can range from very mild to quite severe. The main signs and symptoms of autism
involve problems in the following areas:
· Communication - both verbal (spoken) and non-verbal (unspoken, such as pointing, eye contact, and smiling)
· Social - such as sharing emotions, understanding how others think and feel, and holding a conversation
· Routines or repetitive behaviors (also called stereotyped behaviors) - such as repeating words or actions, obsessively following routines or schedules, and playing in repetitive ways.
One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.
Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”
The five disorders under PDD are:
Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which been outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).
Autism
Signs/Characteristics
Autistic children display unusual behavior. A typical autistic
child's behavior is likely to include some of the following:
*no speech
*delayed
development of speech
*confusion
between the pronouns "I" and "You"
*lack of
interaction with other children
*lack of eye
contact
*lack of
response to people
*flapping
hands
*spinning
*walking on
tiptoes
*extreme
dislike of certain sounds
*extreme
dislike of touching certain textures
*dislike of
being touched
*either
extremely passive behavior or extremely nervous, active behavior
*extreme
dislike of certain foods
*behavior
that is aggressive to others
*lack of
interest in toys
*repetitive
behavior
*self-injurious
behavior
*prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
*appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other
sounds
*repeat or echo words or phrases said to them (echolalia)
*repeat actions over and over again
* have trouble adapting when a routine changes
*have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
Autism
Causes
No one really knows for sure what causes autism.
There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused
by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape
and structure of the brain in autistic versus non-autistic children. Researchers are
investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity, genetics and
medical problems. In many families, there appears to be a pattern of autism or related
disabilities, further supporting a genetic basis to the disorder. While no one gene has
been identified as causing autism, researchers are searching for irregular segments of
genetic code that autistic children may have inherited. It also appears that some children
are born with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a single
"trigger" that causes autism to develop.
Other researchers are investigating the possibility that under certain conditions, a cluster of unstable genes may interfere with brain development resulting in autism. Still other researchers are investigating problems during pregnancy or delivery as well as environmental factors such as viral infections, metabolic imbalances, and exposure to environmental chemicals.
Autism tends to occur more frequently than expected among individuals who have certain medical conditions, including Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella syndrome, and untreated phenylketonuria (PKU). Some harmful substances ingested during pregnancy also have been associated with an increased risk of autism. Early in 2002, The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) prepared a literature review of hazardous chemical exposures and autism and found no compelling evidence for an association; however, there was very limited research and more needs to be done.
The question of a relationship between vaccines and autism continues to be debated. In a 2001 investigation by the Institute of Medicine, a committee concluded that the "evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship.... between MMR vaccines and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)." The committee acknowledged, however, that "they could not rule out" the possibility that the MMR vaccine could contribute to ASD in a small number of children. While other researchers agree the data does not support a link between the MMR and autism, more research is clearly needed.
Whatever the cause, it is clear that children with autism and PDD are born with the disorder or born with the potential to develop it. It is not caused by bad parenting. Autism is not a mental illness. Children with autism are not unruly kids who choose not to behave. Furthermore, no known psychological factors in the development of the child have been shown to cause autism.
Diagnosing Autism
There are no medical tests for diagnosing autism. An accurate diagnosis must be based on
observation of the individual's communication, behavior, and developmental levels.
However, because many of the behaviors associated with autism are shared by other
disorders, various medical tests may be ordered to rule out or identify other possible
causes of the symptoms being exhibited.
A brief observation in a single setting cannot present a true picture of an individual's abilities and behaviors. Parental (and other caregivers') input and developmental history are very important components of making an accurate diagnosis. At first glance, some persons with autism may appear to have mental retardation, a behavior disorder, problems with hearing, or even odd and eccentric behavior. To complicate matters further, these conditions can co-occur with autism. However, it is important to distinguish autism from other conditions, since an accurate diagnosis and early identification can provide the basis for building an appropriate and effective educational and treatment program.
Early Diagnosis
Research indicates that early diagnosis is associated with dramatically better outcomes
for individuals with autism. The earlier a child is diagnosed, the earlier the child can
begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention approaches.
Center for Disease Control’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign has interactive charts to help you keep track of your child's development.
Where
to get your child diagnosed for Autism?
Dr. Scott Myers
Neurodevelopment Pediatrics
Geisinger
570-214-9361
Dr. Tom Challman, MD
Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
Geisinger Hospital
100 N. Academy Ave.
Danville, PA 18722
570-214-9361
Prevalence of Autism
Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting
an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007).
Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are
believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.
Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.
Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect any family, and any child. And although the overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls.
In recent years there has been a marked increase in the percentage of children who have been able to attend school with normal children, and to live more or less independently in community settings. However, the majority of autistic persons remain severely handicapped in their ability to communicate and socialize with other people.
Did you know…
1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism
1 in 94 boys is on the autism spectrum 67 children are diagnosed per day
A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes
More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes
& cancer combined
Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to
significantly increase in the next decade
Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent
childhood diseases
Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
There is no medical detection or cure for autism
The PUZZLE
PATTERN of the ribbon represents the mystery and complexity of autism.
The DIFFERENT COLORS AND SHAPES represent the diversity of the people and
families living with this disorder.
The BRIGHTNESS of the ribbon signals the hope through research and in the
increasing awareness of people like you.
Applying for Medical Assistance for your child is critical. This process normally can take several weeks. Autistic therapy and services can be very expensive and most agencies will not provide these services until you have been approved for medical assistance. Do not delay and start the process now!
Procedures
on how to apply for Medical Assistance for a child that is 25% or more developmentally
delayed
For
1. Call
Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply for SSI for your child. Social Security will
accept or
2. Complete
a "Teddy Bear" form and where asked about family income write the following:
LOOPHOLE LAW
for 25% developmentally delayed child.
When the
form is complete, call 1-800-842-2020 for the nearest Medical Assistance office
*to receive
a "teddy bear" form call Allied Services at 570-826-3800 or 570-826-3789.
Basically,
if you have a child that has been diagnosed as being 25% or more developmentally delayed