AUTISM - a parent's guide
Editorial Team

Overview

Autism is a developmental disorder

Autistic children will have problems communicating and delayed language skills

The condition is normally noticed before the age of 3

It affects about 1 in 1000 people

Severely autistic children may appear mentally retarded

The condition is believed to be caused by genetic and environmental factors

There is no cure but some sufferers will improve as they mature

Early intervention offers the best hope of treatment

What is it?

Autism is a developmental disorder which can vary from mild to severe.

Children with autism have three main types of characteristics: impaired social skills, communication problems, and unusual or limited interests.

These children rarely understand the world they live in, to them it is a frightening place.

Severe autism is marked by aggressive behaviour towards themselves and others, chronic repetitive and unusual behaviour. Some sufferers will be severely retarded.

Mild forms involve a personality disorder and learning difficulties.

Autism affects approximately 1 in 1000 people, and boys are four times more likely to be autistic than girls.

The exact cause of autism is unknown.

It is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors can cause the condition.

Researchers have found abnormalities in several regions of the brain in autism sufferers, suggesting problems with early foetal development.

A genetic link has been discovered in some people in autism. Couples with one autistic child have a 5 percent risk of having another one - a much greater risk than the general population.

What are the signs?

The symptoms of autism can vary according to the degree of severity. The condition may not be recognised for several years in those with mild autism, or those with other mental and physical disabilities.

Symptoms normally appear within the first 3 years of life, and may begin with poor maternal bonding.

Children with the condition may avoid social interaction, they may ignore their own name being called, avoid looking at other people and are unaware of other people's feelings.

Repetitive movements are common such as rocking back and forth, head-banging and teeth-grinding. They may also repeat what someone else has said over and over again.

Some practise ritualistic behaviours with their routines, and can become hysterical if they are disrupted or something is out of place.

They may resist physical contact like being hugged and develop strong attachments to unusual things like paper or other worthless objects.

Some children do not appear to feel pain after a bad fall, and much less painful sensations could upset them such as walking on the grass or hearing a loud noise.

Most children with autism score poorly on IQ tests. A small percentage may have exceptional ability in certain areas.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis must be made by specialists with expertise in working with children with autism. Several sets of diagnostic criteria are used for autism, these include:

Limited imaginative and social play
Limited ability to start or have a conversation with others
Problems making friends
In severe cases they may not be aware of others
Repetitive or unusual use of language
Preoccupation with certain objects and parts
Obsessive focus on some interests
Strict adherence to routines or rituals

The following conditions are often described as autism spectrum disorders:

Asperger's syndrome where children have mild symptoms of autism but well-developed language skills.

Childhood disintegrative disorder in which children regress after appearing normal for several years.

Girls with Rett's syndrome which causes neurological disturbances may also show some forms of autistic behaviour.

What can be done to help?

There is no cure for autism and children will have it throughout their lives. However, many show some improvement as they mature, and some with mild forms go on to lead normal lives.

Behavioural management programmes can be specifically tailored to children to help control problem behaviours in children with the disorder.

Early behavioural programmes to develop children's language and social skills currently offer the best hope of treating the condition.

The accepted model involves educating the child in as normal environment as possible. Children may be placed in the same class as normal children and given special education as needed.

However, some experts advocate controlled education environments for autistic children with little sound and visual stimulation. Learning is broken down into very small segments which must be grasped before progressing to the next activity. There continues to be controversy over the effectiveness of this treatment.

Counselling is helpful for families to come to terms with a child with autism. Living with an autistic child can be extremely stressful and some families can become isolated.

Adolescence can cause more marked behavioural problems in some children who can become aggressive and difficult to control. Some children may develop epilepsy.

A range of medication can be prescribed to help reduce aggressive and violent behaviour.

Future trends

Researchers are continuing to study the condition and develop new programmes to help reduce some of the problems associated with the condition.

Initial findings from some studies have shows people with autism have abnormal signaling molecules in the brain, including serotonin, but more research is necessary on this.

Scientists also hope to identify the genes that may increase the risk of autism.

Getting help

Your doctor, paediatrician, or child psychologist will be able to help.