What is Autism?
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What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological disorder characterized by challenges with communication and social skills as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of behavior or interests.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered a “developmental disorder” because it occurs very early in life, often prior to the age of 3. It may be apparent from early infancy or may begin to manifest after a period of typical development. Experts estimate that autism is diagnosed in 1 out of every 36 children in the United States and is four times more common in boys than girls. Autism affects 1 in every 27 boys and 1 in 116 girls. It occurs regardless of race, religion, income level, or other societal factors.
Autism is a life-long disorder that exists along a continuum of functioning levels – from those who have mild symptoms and can function independently – to those with severe delays in all areas of development who require continuous supervision. Regardless of the nature of their delays, many individuals with ASD can make substantial gains with appropriate treatment.
What are the common signs of autism?
The first signs of autism usually appear before age 3. The earliest signs typically include:
- Little to no speech or loss of previously acquired speech
- Poor eye contact
- Lack of pointing
- Unusual play or lack of play
Other common signs include:
- Poor social skills
- Over- or under-sensitivity to sound, sight, taste, touch or smell
- Repetitive movements (hand flapping, body rocking)
- Difficulty with changes in routine or surroundings
- Challenging behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, or severe withdrawal
- Echolalia (repeats words instead of responding)
- Not responding when called by name or appearing to be deaf
What causes autism?
Scientists across the globe are conducting research to determine the biological causes of autism. Among the information that scientists know for certain:
- There is no single predictor of autism.
- Vaccines do not cause autism.
Heritability is a factor in a certain percentage of cases. According to a large scale study published in 2023, at least 50% of genetic risk is predicted to be due to common genetic variation as opposed to rare mutations. Environmental factors also play a role.