What Is Autism? -- An Overview
Autism (sometimes called "classical autism") is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the
autism spectrum disorders.
Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.
Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.
What Is Autism? -- Symptoms
Autism typically affects a person's ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and respond appropriately to the external world. The disorder becomes apparent in children generally by the age of 3.
Some people with autism can function at a relatively high level, with speech and intelligence intact. Others have serious cognitive impairments and language delays, and some never speak.
In addition, individuals with autism may seem closed off and shut down, or locked into repetitive behaviors and rigid patterns of thinking. An infant with autism may avoid eye contact, seem deaf, and abruptly stop developing language. The child may act as if unaware of the coming and going of others, or physically attack and injure others without provocation. Infants with autism often remain fixated on a single item or activity, rock or flap their hands, seem insensitive to burns and bruises, and may even mutilate themselves.
Although autism is about 3 to 4 times more common in boys, girls with the disorder tend to have more severe symptoms and greater cognitive impairment.
What Is Autism? -- Other Medical Conditions
Individuals with autism often have symptoms of various co-occurring mental disorders, including:
About one-third of children and adolescents with autism develop
seizures.
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