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What is autism? Autism is a brain disorder that affects thought, communication, and social interaction. As this eMedTV Web page explains, there is no cure for autism; treatment of the disorder addresses the symptoms associated with autism.
Classical autism is just one of the five types of autism spectrum disorder. This section of the eMedTV library identifies the other types of autism spectrum disorder, such as Asperger syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder.
There are no known causes of autism, but scientists are studying possible genetic and environmental causes of the disorder. This eMedTV page sheds light on current areas of research focused on possible causes of autism.
Examples of early symptoms of autism include repetitive or unusual use of language and interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus. This eMedTV page describes other early autism symptoms that doctors look for when diagnosing the disorder.
Signs of autism include impaired social interaction and difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication. As this eMedTV article points out, parents are often the first to recognize signs of autism in their child.
Diagnosing autism often involves using a questionnaire to gather information about a child's development and behavior. This eMedTV article explains the behavior doctors look for when diagnosing autism.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has become widely accepted as an effective autism treatment. This eMedTV page features a list of questions parents should ask about any autism treatment they may be considering for their child.
This eMedTV page offers examples of drugs used as autism medications, such as Prozac and Haldol. Autism medications are prescribed "off label," meaning that they haven't been approved by the FDA to treat autism.
Autism speech language therapy can be combined with occupational and physical therapies to improve communication in those with autism. As this eMedTV article explains, autism speech language therapy should include periodic, in-depth evaluations.
This portion of the eMedTV site identifies the general goals of autism education for children in various age groups. This article also contains questions parents should consider asking about their child's individual autism education program.
Autistic children often experience difficulties with social interaction and have problems with communication. This eMedTV Web page explains how autistic children engage in repetitive behaviors or focus on narrow, obsessive interests.
Language development in autistic children differs from that seen in children without autism. This eMedTV site addresses issues of language development in autistic children, such as problems with word and sentence meaning, intonation, and rhythm.
Autism in adults can create unique challenges for parents of an adult autistic. This eMedTV Web page offers advice for those dealing with autism in adults, including information about living arrangements and government programs.
Many well-done, large-scale studies have failed to show a link between autism and MMR vaccine. This section of the eMedTV library summarizes key points to emerge from some of these research studies focused on autism and MMR vaccine.
Ongoing autism research includes imaging studies searching for brain abnormalities that could cause impaired social communication. This eMedTV resource provides details about several of the autism research studies currently under way.
Current autism statistics indicate that the disorder is more common than childhood cancer. This eMedTV article features a variety of autism statistics that may help the reader understand more about this developmental disorder.
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