Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act very differently from one another and have varying skills.Īutism has been documented dating back to the 1940s by Drs. Although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors in three primary diagnostic categories: communication problems, social deficiencies, and evidence of self-stimulatory behaviors-children and adults can exhibit any combination of the behaviors in any degree of severity. The symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe. Like other children, they respond to their environment in both positive and negative ways.Īutism is a spectrum disorder, currently known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Contrary to popular understanding, many children and adults with autism may make eye contact, show affection, smile and laugh, and demonstrate a variety of other emotions, although in varying degrees. Most of the public, including many professionals in the medical, educational, and vocational fields, are still unaware of how autism affects people and how they can effectively work with individuals with autism. What is clear, however, is that many parents and teachers, and even clinicians, find the criteria for diagnosis to be challenging, and somewhat subjective, especially if the signs are subtle. When asked about their child’s behavior, many parents admit that their child is “different,” but that he or she is able to maintain friendships, is fully verbal, and does not demonstrate any of the tell-tale signs of the disorder such as hand-flapping or toe-walking. Given the complexity of the disorder and the challenges of diagnosing autism, many parents understandably question whether their child is, in fact, on the autism spectrum, or whether their child’s behavior reflects signs of ADHD or perhaps some type of undiagnosable “quirkiness”. We also know that there is no known single cause for autism, although the best available science points to important genetic components.² We know that autism is about 4.5 times more likely to affect boys than girls and is found in all racial, ethnic, and social groups. Although diagnostic criteria are established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM),¹ the handbook used by health care professionals in the United States to assist in the diagnosis of mental disorders, diagnosing autism is often a complicated process. Autism is one of the most mysterious and confusing disorders facing families and clinicians today and unfortunately the prevalence is growing at an alarming rate.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |