Autism Autism.
Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction communication ability patterns of interests and patterns of behavior Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown autism most likely results from genetically mediated vulnerability to environmental triggers And while these environmental factors have not yet been ascertained with scientific certainty researchers have found at least seven major genes specifically linked to autism Prevalence in the United States is estimated at one child in but for families that already have one autistic child incidence is about one in twenty Diagnosis is based on a list of psychiatric criteria and a series of standardized clinical tests may also be used.
Physiologically autism may lack readily visible differences but it is linked to abnormal biological and neurochemical development of the brain A complete physical and neurological evaluation will typically be part of determining a diagnosis of autism Some now speculate that autism is in fact several distinct conditions that manifest themselves in similar ways rather than a single diagnosis.
By definition autism must manifest delays in social interaction language as used in social communication or symbolic or imaginative play with onset prior to age years DSM IV The ICD also says that symptoms must manifest before the age of three years There have been large increases in the reported incidence of autism for reasons that are heavily debated in the scientific community.
There are cases of children with autism who have improved their social and other skills to the point where they can fully participate in mainstream education and social events but there are lingering concerns that an absolute cure from autism is impossible with current technology since it involves aspects of neurological brain structure determined very early in development However many autistic children and adults who are able to communicate at least in writing are opposed to attempts to cure their conditions and see them as part of who they are.
History
Dr Hans Asperger described a form of autism in the that later became known as Asperger's syndrome.
The word autism was first used in the English language by Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler in a number of the American Journal of Insanity The Oxford English Dictionary states that the word is derived from the Greek autos self When referring to a person with autism the term autistic is often used although the term person with autism may be used instead.
However the classification of autism did not occur until the middle of the twentieth century when in Dr Leo Kanner of the Johns Hopkins Hospital studied a group of children and introduced the label early infantile autism At the same time an Austrian scientist Dr Hans Asperger described a different form of autism that became known as Asperger's syndrome but the widespread recognition of Asperger's work was delayed by World War II in Germany in fact the majority of his work wasn't officially recognised until.
Thus these two conditions were described and are today listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM IV TR fourth edition text revision as two of the five pervasive developmental disorders PDD more often referred to today as autism spectrum disorders ASD All of these conditions are characterized by varying degrees of difference in communication skills social interactions and restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior.
Very few clinicians today solely use the DSM IV criteria for determining a diagnosis of autism which are based on the absence or delay of certain developmental milestones Many clinicians instead use an alternate means or a combination thereof to more accurately determine a diagnosis.
Characteristics
Dr Leo Kanner introduced the label early infantile autism in.