The Guide to Autism

Autism is a severe brain development disorder that impairs social interaction and communication. It starts before a child is three years old and persists through adulthood. Although there are various treatments available, there is currently no scientifically proven cure. Children who have the disorder look normal in appearance, but they engage in unconventional and puzzling behavior, like obsessively lining up objects or flapping their hands.

Currently, scientists are still uncertain what really causes autism. Studies have shown though that genetics play a big role in the development of the condition. A significant part of autism may be highly heritable but not inherited. This means that the mutations that cause autism may not be present in the genes of the parents but present in the child’s.

Scientists also believe that there is interplay between genes and the environment. There are also other proposed causes, like childhood vaccines, which are very controversial. In the United States, the organic mercury content of thiomersal in childhood vaccines has been alleged to cause or contribute to autism.

The question of whether the actual prevalence of autism has increased is still unresolved. Some contend that the increase is mainly due to changes in diagnostic practices. It used to be that autism was very rare, occurring in just five children per 10,000 live births. Since the early 1990s, however, the autism rate has skyrocketed around the world with numbers as high as 60 per 10,000 live births. Boys have a higher risk of developing autism than girls. The current sex ratio is four is to one. The Centers for Disease Control in the United States have reported that one in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism.

Although there is no cure for autism, early detection and intervention by parents can help afflicted children gain some social and communication skills and self-care. There is a marked increase in the number of autistic children who can attend school in a typical classroom setting in recent years; however, few autistic children can still live independently when they reach adulthood. Their social and communication skills remain impaired throughout their lives.