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Autism |
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Autism is a medical disorder, in which young children cannot progress normal social relationship and behave in ritualistic and compulsive ways, commonly failing to develop normal intelligence. Autism signs commonly appear in the 1st year of life and almost always before the age of 3. This disorder is 2 to 4 times more common in boys than in girls. Autism is different from brain damage or mental retardation, although some children who have autism have these diseases. The causes of autism are unknown. The disorder however does not result from poor parenting. Study of identical twins indicates that autism can be partially genetic, because it may appear in both twins if it happens in one. Even most of the cases of autism have no exact cause, some can be related to viral infections, chromosomal disorder (fagile X syndrome), or phenylketonuria (deficiency of inherited enzyme). A child with autism prefers to be alone and does not want to form close personal relationships and will not cuddle, resisting change, constantly repeats rituals and acts; avoids eye contact and becomes obsessed to familiar objects. The child constant talking later than other children, can use language in a certain way, or can be unable or unwilling to talk at all. While spoken to, the children frequently have difficulties understanding what is said. The child can repeat words as they are spoken to him (called echolalia) and reverse the usual use of pronouns, especially using “you” instead of “I” or “me” referring to himself. Symptoms of autism in young children helps a physician diagnose this disorder. No specific tests for this condition exists, but a physician can perform some tests to check for other brain disorder causes. Most children with autism have uneven intellectual performance, so testing their intelligence is complicated. Tests may need to be repeated a few times. Children with this disorder generally do better on performance items (spatial skill and motor tests) than on verbal items in IQ tests. About 70% of children, who have autism have some degree of mental retardation (IQ less than 70). Approx 20-40% of children with autism, especially those with an IQ under 50, begin to experience eizures before reaching adolescence. Some children with this disorder have hollow areas (enlarged ventricles) in the brain, which may be found on a CT (computed tomography) test. In adults, who have autism, MRI scan can show additional abnormalities of the brain. A variant of autism (called childhood-onset pervasive developmental disorder) or atypical autism, may start later, up to the age of 12. Autism begins in infancy, where a child with childhood-onset pervasive developmental disorder does not progress normal social relationship and frequently has unusual speech pattern and bizarre mannerism. These children can also have obsessive compulsive disorders, Tourette’s syndrome, or hyperactivities. The symptoms of autism usually occur throughout the life. Many scientists suggest the prognosis of this disorder is determined by how much usable language the children have acquired by age 7. Children with autism in higher or near-normal IQ levels frequently benefit from special education and psychotherapy. Speech therapies are began early such as occupational and physical therapies. Sign language in some cases is used to communicate with mute children, but the benefit remains are unknown. Behavioral therapies may help children with severe autism learn to manage at school and home. Such therapies are useful when autistic children try the patience of most devoted teachers and most loving parents. Medications are sometimes prescribed but they may not change the underlying disorder. Such drugs as Haloperidol is given mostly to control self destructive and extremely aggressive behavior. Buspirone, Fenfluramine, Risperidone, and certain reuptake inhibitors including Sertraline, Paroxetine, and Fluoxetine are indicated for the treatment of behavior and different symptoms of autistic children.
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| Category |
Disease Conditions > A
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| Related Searches |
autism society of america, high functioning autism |
| Date Submitted |
08-Nov-2005
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