What Is Autism?

Just this week, a report from the Centers for Disease Control showed that rates of autism have increased in the U.S. from one in 110 children to one in 88 children.

But what, exactly, is autism?

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning the symptoms can range from mild to severe. There are three different kinds: autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder- not otherwise specified (also called PDD-NOS, or atypical autism), according to the CDC.

Symptoms of autistic disorder include being withdrawn, problems with social skills and communication, language and unusual behaviors, while symptoms of Asperger are milder versions of the same. PDD-NOS symptoms are even milder than both autistic disorder and Asperger syndrome, and someone with PDD-NOS may only have some social or communication problems.

There is no known cause of autism, though experts say it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Despite concerns, there have been no studies confirming a link between autism and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Autism symptoms typically begin to show before age 3, according to the NIH. WebMD reported on a study showing that certain tests might be able to predict autism as early as 14 months old. That study, conducted by researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute, demonstrated that by using tests on motor and language development, doctors were able to predict 70 percent of future autism cases among the study participants.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its website that a reliable diagnosis of autism usually can't be made until age 2.

A doctor may recommend testing for autism if a baby isn't babbling by the time he or she reaches one year old, isn't gesturing by one year old, isn't speaking words by 16 months, doesn't seem responsive to social cues or has trouble making eye contact, according to the National Institutes of Health.

There is no cure for autism, though research has shown that the earlier autism is treated, the better.

A 2009 study from researchers at the University of Washington looked at a form of therapy called the Early Start Denver Model, which involves amping up the child's communication and social interaction skills, the AP reported.

The Early Start Denver Model study showed that kids ages 18 months with autism were able to have their symptoms improved after undergoing two years of therapy.

Different forms of therapy -- behavioral, communication and educational -- can help children with autism to function better, the Mayo Clinic reported. Medications can also help alleviate symptoms, like anxiety or behavioral problems.

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Comments

[pnut166]

01:08 AM on 03/31/2012

My theory on autism (since everybody has their own) : It`s now known that cervical cancer is caused by a two-part process. A woman carries the gene, and is infected with a particular virus. Cervical cancer is more prevalent today because the virus has spread after decades of "free love", so to speak. More people are carriers of it. Other contributing factors in general with virus spread are increased travel - people hop all over the world now as compared to previous decades, and seed diseases. I think we are going to find a similar case with autism. A child is predisposed genetically, and comes into contact with an as-yet unidentified virus at a critical juncture in infancy. The virus, however it is spread, is more prevalent now, therefore more infants are exposed. Just as with cervical cancer, it took decades for the virus to become more commonplace. There doesn`t seem to be a smoking gun related to socioeconomic conditions (hence: environment, diet, etc.). Ironically, we may one day see an end to this scourge by a vaccine administered in infancy.

[Abusymomof4]

11:19 PM on 03/30/2012

Doesn't it seem abit, umm, strange, that autism started INCREASING with the INCREASE of the number of vaxes given? I am almost 51, and growing up, we had just minimal shots - and now, phew, you need a score card to keep up with the number that these kids need! I KNOW, with my son, he HAD a very severe, very serious, almost life threatening reaction to the MMR vax, that HAS led to his having some very slight issues - we are very lucky that he didn;t have any further complications; however, I know that there are children that have far worse issues AFTER receiving vaxes.

[pnut166]

12:52 AM on 03/31/2012

If you`re 51, a LOT of things have increased since your childhood. Look around at the world today - everything is different than it was forty years ago - vaccines can`t be singled out as the sole culprit.

[mkerbug]

10:06 PM on 04/02/2012

So, you DON'T want to prevent children from getting diseases like mumps, measles, chicken pox, polio etc?
This is for the protection of you and other children your child may come into interaction. Autism has been observed for decades, but has recently become a globally known disorder, OFCOURSE, it seems on the rise, because it wasn't KNOWN ABOUT 'til quite recently.
I am so SICK of people blindly throwing accusations at vaccines when they have no idea whats in them or the number of people and children they have saved throughout the years. The number of patients negatively affected by vaccines is minuscule to the amount of people its helped.
BTW, an allergic reaction to vaccines or anything severe is very serious and I'm sorry that happened to your son.

[Killermolls44]

03:23 AM on 04/03/2012

And there's a good reason that it was mostly unheard of in your days... My 74 year old grandmother says the same, except that autism basically didn't exist people didn't know about it. Recently It's become more spoken about due to increased awareness, that doesn't mean theres necessarily more cases. Vaccines are not to blame, there is zero evidence that shows causation between the two. Stop falling for the scare mongering tactics of the celebrities.

[standuppeople]

08:10 PM on 03/30/2012

People need to wake up! Without a doubt, this is caused by hormones and antibiotics in your milk. In addition to that, your meats, can goods, sprayed fruit and veggies all have chemicals. Now you eat and drink the above, and it goes into your sytem, and then you nurse, etc. Bam! You have Autism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KRTaylor]

08:32 PM on 03/30/2012

Autism dates well before antibiotics and hormone therapy. And history is full of individuals whose descriptions are classic for symptoms of autism.

[pnut166]

12:49 AM on 03/31/2012

Who knew it was that simple ! The medical community thanks you for your profound insight !

[TUTUTOTO]

05:58 PM on 03/30/2012

I hate to say it but I really think this disease is Gods way of preventing abortion. As soon as women hear their baby has a birth defect via amniocentesis and other tests for genetic diseases they opt to do away with it. Well , this one sneaks up on the parents..not allowing for detection until 12 months or 18 months of age..well past the allowable time for murdering the fetus.

[slickmonkyz]

08:38 PM on 03/30/2012

complete stupidity

[pnut166]

01:12 AM on 03/31/2012

I would think if God punished unborn children for the sins of their parents, all athiests would be sterile. Fail.

[LisaFromEarth]

05:52 PM on 03/30/2012

"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward.
Maybe they have to be crazy.
How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song that’s never been written? Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?
We make tools for these kinds of people.
While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."

I KNOW my daughter has already made her mark on all who have ever met her. Don't put limits on your child. The sky is the limit.

[Crystal Barrett]

08:02 PM on 03/30/2012

Well said.