What is Autism?
Autism (from the Greek word autos, which means self) is a severe infant disorder of behavior that develops before the age of three. The term is used to describe many types of mental disorders, but, as originally named in 1943 by the American child psychologist Leo Kanner, early infantile autism describes a rare cluster of symptoms. Its incidence is approximately 1 in 2,500.
| "A child suffering autism is unable to use language in a
meaningful way and to process information in the proper way." |
Characteristics
An autistic child is unable to use language meaningfully or to process information from the environment. About half of all autistic children are mute, and those who speak often only repeat what they have heard. The term autism refers to their vacant, withdrawn appearance, but its connotation of voluntary detachment is inappropriate.
Other characteristics of autism include an uneven pattern of development, a fascination with mechanical objects, a ritualistic response to environmental stimuli, and a resistance to any change in the environment. Some autistic children have precocious ability, such as mathematical skills.
Cause, Prognosis and Treatment
The cause, prognosis, and treatment of autism are still under study. Research suggests a genetic defect as the cause of the disorder, which may be some form of autoimmune disease or degenerative disease of nerve cells in the brain. The best treatment is special education, stressing learning in small groups, and strict behavioral control of the child. Treatment with drugs such as fenfluramine and haloperidol is also being tested. In general, prognosis is poor for those autistic children who remain mute past the age of five. Children who speak fare better, and some of them recover.
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