Raise Autism Awareness: Learn More about this Developmental Disorder

By Rheyanne Weaver HERWriter

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April is National Autism Awareness Month, and the Centers for Disease Control reported that in 2006, one in 110 children in the U.S. on average had an autism spectrum disorder. This data came from 11 sites involved in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM).

Although it's still March, there is a lot to know about autism and related disorders in order to prepare for a whole month of awareness and appreciation for individuals who have these disorders. The Autism Society of America encourages people to start their own events to raise money and awareness for autism through the "1Power4Autism" program.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) "are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges," according to the CDC. Some ASDs include autistic disorder (or autism), Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (atypical autism).

Spectrum disorders mean that individuals are affected differently. Pervasive developmental disorders mean that people can "experience problems with language, socialization and cognition," according to "Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach." ASDs are part of pervasive developmental disorders, so it's just another way to classify these type of disorders. Pervasive also means that the disorder affects individuals in a more severe way.

People who have autistic disorder can show various symptoms, including the main symptoms associated with pervasive developmental disorders. Some more specific symptoms include lack of eye contact, inability or difficulty forming relationships with others and responding to others (by not showing interest, etc.). There can also be preoccupation with a certain type of behavior, like moving hands in a certain way, according to the abnormal psychology book. Complications in language, among other symptoms, are also common.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are several specific indicators of autism spectrum disorders. For example, if a child don't seem to know how to play with toys, excessively lines up toys or other objects or is attached to one particular toy or object. Many of these are obvious in children who have some type of ASD, such as autism. However, adults can also have autism, so the above indicators could be applied to everyday objects, not just toys.

Autism and other ASDs generally start in childhood, since they are considered developmental disorders. The child can show symptoms before age three, though the National Institute of Mental Health cited that "3.4 of every 1,000 children three to 10 years old had autism." According to the previous CDC statistics that were cited, children aged eight years were those who were looked at.

According to the CDC Foundation, the cause for ASDs is unknown. There is thought to be genetic and environmental factors in the cause of autism and other ASDs. The abnormal psychology book stated that genetic and neurobiological influences are considered when studying the causes of autism.

Some movies with people who have autism, including Rain Man, with Dustin Hoffman, are not great representations of the average person with the disorder, according to the book. In this movie, he had savant skills, which means he was really good at something compared to his other abilities and those of the general population.

One article classifies these savant skills into three types: splinter, talented and prodigious. Basically, splinter skills are the most common, talented are a little more uncommon and prodigious are rare.

However, according to an article from New Scientist, a study with around "100 adults with autism shows that one third have skills that stand out, both in comparison with their own abilities and with the skills of the general population."

Apparently, it was generally thought that one in 10 people with autism showed savant skills. The study appeared to be small, so there needs to be overall more studies conducted to show any type of conclusion about autism and savant skills.

According to Autism Speaks, an autism organization, there were many advances in autism research in the past year. These included more research on the prevalence of autism, positive effects of early intervention with young children who have autism, more effective treatment and genetic studies.

There are many other examples of research and a lot more information about the complex autistic disorder and other ASDs and PDDs. To learn more, look through the following links, though information is seemingly unlimited.

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5810a1.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_awareness
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=1Power_LandingPage
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/what-are-the-autism-spectrum-disorders.shtml

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Autistic_savant
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16941-savant-skills-may-be-widespread-in-people-with-autism.html

http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science_news/top_ten_autism_research_events_2009_prevalence.php

http://www.autism.com/
http://www.cureforautism.org/
http://www.cdcfoundation.org/healththreats/autism.aspx

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.