What Is Autism?

"Autism affects more than 400,000 Americans, between 10 and 20 of every 10,000 people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke " (www.healthylivingonline.org). Autism is a developmental disability of the brain, which is a great deal like dyslexia or attention deficit disorder (ADD). Autism is not a type of mental retardation, and most of time the individuals are very intellectual. Society needs to be knowledgeable of what autism is, what causes it, what individuals with autism are like, whether there is more than one form of autism, and what are the main successful approaches. "There is no known cure for autism, although medication may help some of the symptoms in some cases. There are often great efforts made

by parents and educators to help children with autism change their behaviors, making it easier for them to assimilate into a social world" (Debbaudt 16).

"Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life" (www.methuen.k12.ma.us). The outcome of a neurological disorder that influences the operation of the brain, autism and its related behaviors have been expected to take place in as many as 1 in 500 people. "Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries" (www.autism101.com).

"Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills" (www.autism101.com). Many individuals with autism in general have complications with verbal and non-verbal communication, social relations, rest and relaxation or play behavior. The disability makes it difficult for him or her to communicate with others and interact with the outside world. In some cases, destructive and/or self-inflicted behavior may occur. Individuals with autism might demonstrate recurring body movements, unusual reaction to people or affection to objects and struggle with modifications in his or her routine. "Individuals may also experience sensitivities in the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste (www.bic.uci.edu).

"Over one half million people in the U.S. today have autism or some form of pervasive developmental disorder" (www.ibis-birthdefects.org). Its popularity ratio presents autism as a common developmental disabilities. However, the majority of the community, consisting of several specialists in the medical, educational, and vocational fields, are even now unaware of how autism influences individuals and how he or she can successfully work with individuals with autism.

Medical examiners are investigating various details for the several types of autism. "Although a single specific cause of autism is not known, current research links autism to biological or neurological differences in the brain" (www.birth23.org). In a number of families there appears to be a pattern of autism or associated disabilities that entails there is a genetic foundation to the disability. While, at the moment there has been no gene that has been completely