What's Autism - The Real Truth
Autism is consistently in the news - what with Jenny McCarthy talking regarding it with Larry King and Oprah, President Obama giving priority to autism analysis and funding, news reports of an autism epidemic etc. - but what precisely is autism? Is every autistic person a savant or like Dustin Hoffman in "Rainman"?
The Many Faces of Autism
There is an aphorism concerning autism having several faces and this is often indeed true. All autistic folks, whether children or adults, are people with their own temperament traits, symptoms, challenges and needs. But, if you or your kid are diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, then you may have one of 5 types of autism spectrum disorder:-
? Asperger Syndrome
? Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
? PDD-NOS or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified)
? Rett Syndrome
? Autism - Conjointly called SLD Autism or Kanner's Syndrome
Sufferers of each of those 5 autism spectrum disorders share a "triad of impairments", or three common characteristics, though with varying degrees. All three of those common impairments are to try to to with socialization and social skills.
The Triad of Impairments
one) Difficulty with Interaction
All autistic individuals have some problem interacting with those around them. This impairment covers problems creating friends and "fitting in", problem mixing with their peers, issues understanding social rules and the principles of conversation, and not choosing up on different individuals's feelings or showing their own in an inappropriate manner.
two) Problem with Social Imagination
This second impairment is to try and do with empathy and understanding consequences. An autistic person many have problems understanding the sentiments and actions of alternative, dealing with amendment, designing for the future, addressing new things and experiences, understanding risks and dangers, and taking part in imaginatively.
3) Difficulty Communicating
All autistic individuals have a point of issue either with communicating or with understanding communication. Some sufferers will have issues with speech, some can not perceive the various ways that individuals communicate - gestures, body language and facial expressions, others can take things that people say quite literally and not understand jokes or sarcasm, and some just will not understand how conversation works and can interrupt or amendment the subject.
Other Common Characteristics
Although there are solely 3 characteristics which are common to all of the autism spectrum disorders, a number of them do share other characteristics and difficulties:-
? Sensory sensitivity - Many oldsters report that their autistic youngsters are either hypersensitive or hyposensitive. Hypersensitivity is when a kid is over-sensitive to touch, tastes, noises and smells. Hyposensitivity is the complete opposite and may mean that a kid has issues with fine motor skills, like doing up buttons, and might not be in a position to feel pain.
? Obsessions - It is common for several autistic children to become "fixated" on a bound hobby or interest.
? Learning disabilities - Some autistic youngsters have learning issues and could need special support at school. Some autistic people additionally have issues like dyspraxia, dyslexia or ADHD.
? A want for fixed rules and routine - As I have said, it is common for autistic folks to own issues dealing with modification and new experiences. An autistic child could cope better if they need a predictable daily routine.
? Problems with daily chores and actions - Things that the rest people take with a pinch of salt, like brushing our teeth, laundry and creating our beds, may be tough for an autistic kid or adult to recollect and do.
Can Autism be Cured?
This question is highly controversial and has been debated several times. There are 3 main colleges of thought:-
? Some individuals believe that autism is an incurable incapacity that, though it can be treated and managed, can't be cured.
? People like Jenny McCarthy believe that an autistic person will "recover" from autism, just like a person recovers from a automotive accident. Jenny's autistic son was treated with biomedical interventions and is now no longer on the autism spectrum. Many individuals would say that he's "cured".
? Different individuals are pushing for autism to be accepted, instead of treated. These individuals believe that they or their children don't seem to be "broken" and do not would like "fixing" or "curing", they want to be accepted as they are.
What do I suppose?
I believe that the triggers and causes of autism can be combated with biomedical treatments which autism is treatable and curable.
Author Resource:
Charles Ramirez has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Autism, you can also check out latest website about
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")