Understanding

Autism

& ecognizing

R

 While those numbers justifiably cause concern in

many people, it's important to remember autism affects

different individuals in different ways. That makes

identifying some of the criteria indicative of autism all

the more important. While some autism sufferers might

only experience mild side effects such as slight delays

in language or trouble interacting socially, the Autism

Society of America (ASA) warns parents to be on the

lookout for the following traits as well.

· Resistance to change:

Autism sufferers insist on never breaking from their routine,

a trait that was characterized in the 1988 film "Rain Man,"

where Dustin Hoffman's character is an adult with autism

who strongly resists change and breaking from his routine

throughout the film.

· Not verbalizing their needs and wants:

In lieu of speaking, autism sufferers often resort to pointing

or gestures when expressing needs. While this is a common

trait in many young children, it is abnormal for toddlers who

have already developed language skills.

· Verbal repetition:

Rather than holding a conversation, autism sufferers will

simply repeat a phrase to reflect a need or want.

· Not wanting to be cuddled or make eye contact:

Children with autism can exhibit a

While these are separate traits, they both can be extremely

multitude of traits related to the disease,

difficult for parents to cope with, possibly making parents

feel as though their child is not reciprocating their love.

making it a difficult one to diagnose.

Children will react negatively to being hugged or cuddled

and some autism sufferers refuse to make eye contact

E

as well.

xpectant parents often try to ensure the health of

· Unresponsive to verbal cues:

their unborn child, be it precautionary measures

Children with autism often act as if they are deaf, despite

taken to ensure the baby is born healthy or regular

hearing tests that show their hearing is in normal range.

doctor visits designed to keep a watchful eye on everything

going with the unborn child's development. Parents can

· Difficulty in mixing with others:

never be too cautious when it comes to their child's

At times, autism can be a heartbreaking disorder for a

health.

sufferer's loved ones, mainly due to the difficulty autistic

 Each year, however, an unexpected foe that can be

children have in communicating and befriending other

hard to diagnose strikes fear in the hearts of parents.

children. Lacking the capacity to communicate with others is

Affecting one in every 166 births, autism is the most

one of the more prevalent traits associated with autism.

Parents of children who can't seem to mix with other

common of all pervasive developmental disorders, which

children should consider consulting a physician.  

include Asperger's Disorder as well as Rett's Disorder. And

 While each of these are traits associated with autism,

those numbers figure to increase, according to the U.S.

parents should know not all of these traits, if any at all, are

Department of Education and other government agencies,

prevalent in autistic children. As a difficult a disease as autism

which estimate that instances of autism are growing at

can be to live with, it can be equally difficult to diagnose.

an alarming rate of 10 to 17 percent each year. All told,

nearly four million Americans could be suffering autism

To learn more, visit the ASA Web site at www.autism-society.org.

in the next decade.

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