Basic Autism Information
Why is Autism Different from Other Developmental Disorders...?
This basic autism information page starts from getting to know about autism definition.
Autism is a developmental disability that often occurs during the first three years of a
child's life. It may sometimes be called Childhood Autism, Early Infantile Autism, or Kanner's
Autism.
This is one of the developmental disorders that fall under the Pervasive Developmental
Disorder or PDD as mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV of Mental Disorders -
Fourth Edition.
Impairment in Social Interaction and Communication
Another autism information says that autism is to be caused by a neurological disorder that
typically affects the normal
functioning of the brain, particularly in the areas of social interaction and communication.
It's important part of autism information that children diagnosed with autism are often hard-pressed to
express themselves not only verbally
but also non-verbally. They have problems in their social skills and show difficulties in
engaging in leisure and play activities.
As enhancement of this autism information page that similar to other disorders, not one case of autism
is the same. There are varying degrees of
autism, mild to severe, and one child's prognosis may not be the same as another's. This is why
early diagnosis is very important because there are cases where treatment is effective.
The sooner a child can begin treatment procedures and get specialized intervention, the better is
the chance for reversal or minimization of the disorder's impact and pervasiveness.
Disorders under the umbrella term PDD have similar characteristics. What differentiates autism
from other developmental disorders is the marked impairment in social interaction. Another important
information on autism is that before a diagnosis of autism is made, marked impairments in the
areas of communication and socialization. There should also be an abnormally lack of interest in
activities.
Criteria for Diagnosis
This autism information section continues on how to recognize autism criteria. Impairment in
social interaction, for instance, may be manifested through the presence of a
problem with holding eye-to-eye contact, use of facial expressions, use of body postures and
gestures. Children also fail to develop some kind of social relationship that are often seen in
their ages. There is also a lack of response or interest in things. They do not share their
feelings and opinions with other people.
However, ffurther information on autism tells that impairment in communication, on the other hand, may be
seen in the total lack or abnormal delay of spoken language development.
This lack should not be accompanied by frequent tries to use alternative methods of
communication such as hand gestures.
For those children or adults with autism, who can speak, they display some problems in
initiating and sustaining conversation with other people. Children with autism do not also show
any interest in make-believe play that should be present during certain developmental
year levels.
Another information on autism is that behavioral criteria of autism is the abnormal preoccupation
with certain activities
manifested with great intensity or focus. There is also some repetitive mannerisms such as
flapping or twisting the hands.
Early Diagnosis and the Right One
It is crucial information on autism that autism be diagnosed really early in life and that the diagnosis be done by
experts in the field who are qualified to make it. Any misdiagnosis can make great impact on the
child, not only in terms of undergoing treatment procedures but also in how people treat them.
Ideally, evaluation should be done by different individuals coming from different fields
related to it. Examples of those who are qualified to make an evaluation are child psychologists,
psychiatrists, speech pathologists, developmental pediatrician and neurologist. Parents and
teachers may also contribute by sharing their observations of the child's behavior in school
and at home.**
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