Doctors diagnose approximately one in every 110 children with autism, according to AutismSpeaks.org, making it more prevalent than other well-known childhood diseases like cancer, diabetes and AIDS. While some kids show signs of autism during their first year of life, others develop normally before digression begins and symptoms appear. While each child with autism is unique, the only way to ensure treatment, advocacy and empathy is through education and awareness.
Defining Autism
The medical and psychological communities define autism as an umbrella term to describe a group of developmental brain disorders known as "Pervasive Developmental Disorders" or PDD. These include Asperger's and Rett Syndrome, as well as Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
Increased Pediatric Diagnosis
Government statistics indicate that autism is on the rise. While there is no definitive reason for this, improved diagnosis and environmental reasons may account for some of this increase. According to AutismSpeaks.org, boys are three to four times more likely than girls to receive an autistic diagnosis.
Causes
The cause of autism remains a mystery, although AutismSpeaks.org notes that scientific evidence points to multiple genetic components combined with unknown environmental exposures and the timing of these exposures. In rare cases, genetic disorders like Fragile X, Tuberous Sclerosis and Angelman's Syndrome, exposure to the illnesses rubella or cytomegalovirus, and in utero exposure to chemical agents like thalidomide or valproate can cause autism. Researchers are investigating possible ties between autism and both the central nervous and immune systems.
Symptoms
Autistic children usually display impaired social, language and behavior skills, although symptoms vary greatly from child to child. In the communication realm, children with severe cases are unable to verbally communicate or interact with others. Others are able to speak but do so in an odd manner or with an odd tone. Depending on the severity, "emotional intelligence is lacking," and autistic children are unable to make eye contact, receive and offer affection, or read the emotions of others. Repetitive movements and routines or rituals are common, and these children are often extremely sensitive to lights, sounds or touch while remaining insensitive to pain.
As autistic children mature, some become more engaged as their symptoms become less pronounced. Unfortunately, the MayoClinic.com notes that others will continue to struggle for the rest of their lives.
Parents should see a doctor if their child does not gesture, babble or coo by his first birthday, does not say single words by 16 months or doesn't say two-word phrases by the age of two. A specialist should also evaluate a child whose language or social skills revert at any point.
Treatment
Treatment options include behavioral and communication therapies to teach lacking social, language and behavioral deficiencies. It is important to note that because each autistic child is unique, professionals must tailor each plan to the child's individual needs. According to the MayoClinic.com, autistic children often respond well to programs that are highly structured.
Medication management can help minimize some of the symptoms, and doctors have found success using antidepressants and antipsychotic medications to treat autism-related aggression and anxiety.
The link between dietary intervention and autism treatment remains unclear, although anecdotal evidence suggests that yeast, gluten and casein-free diets, together with the use of probiotics and certain dietary supplements, remain popular alternative treatments.
