What is Autism?
What is Autism?
Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.
Autistic disorder is the most commonly known type of ASD, but there are others, including Pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.
These conditions of autism all have some of the same symptoms, but they differ on various ways, listed further down this page. These conditions, along with Rett Syndrome and Childhood Dis-integrative disorder, make up the broad diagnosis category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
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Autism Overview
What is Autism?
What are some common signs of autism?
How is autism diagnosed?
What causes autism?
What role does inheritance play?
Do symptoms of autism change over time?
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As the most common spectrum disorder, autism is both difficult to comprehend and damaging due to the lack of cure. To help you understand what Autism is, The International Autism Research and Education Center (Icare4autism) breaks down the main components of autism.
What Autism Is:
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Autism is a complex developmental disorder
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Autism is likely caused by neurological problems early in a child’s life
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Autism mainly affects developmental, social and communication skills
Autism is just one of several Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs) including: Asperger’s Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
Autism and other Spectrum Disorders differ in terms of:
- When the autism symptoms start
- How fast the autism symptoms appear
- How severe the autism symptoms are
- The exact nature of the autism symptoms
This makes it particularly hard to identify the signs of autism and figure out what autism is.
Autism Statistics
Autism is a debilitating disorder that wreaks havoc on 1 in 80 children in the United States, today. Furthermore, 1 in 58 boys will be diagnosed with autism . As these autism statistics increase on a national level, they begin to foreshadow a pandemic where autistic disorders will rise out of control.
Despite the autism statistics gathered, global understanding and awareness of what autism is does not capture enough attention needed to find a cure for autism . Furthermore, people unaffected by autism through friends and family usually cannot grasp what it is like to live as autistic children and autistic adults.
With the tremendous rise of autism in the United States, Icare4autism seeks to reach out to autistic children and autistic communities on a global level and help support their special needs. Understanding what autism is and the urgency to cure autism spreads awareness through our international research and education network.
Additional Autism Resources: CLICK HERE
Autism Overview
What is Autism?
What are some common signs of autism?
How is autism diagnosed?
What causes autism?
What role does inheritance play?
Do symptoms of autism change over time?
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