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| About Autism |
A Bit About This Site
Much of the information you read here is a bit dated, as the site has been around for at least a couple years. It should be taken into consideration that each person experiences autism and the spectrum differently. What may work for me, won't necessarily work for somebody else. Some of my writing seems generalized, and may sound stereotypical to a few folks. It was not necessarily my intention for information to read that way. Rather, my thoughts were to get people motivated to form some constructive ideas on how to work around the condition so that they can maximize their own potential.
I will voice my opinion that fixing or "curing" autism with chelation, drugs, or rather odd therapy methods won't make a person a "neuro-typical". However, people on the spectrum can learn how to accomodate those around them with some education and work. Notice that I emphatically mention WORK. Habits are hard to break, especially when the person doesn't know he or she has them! In fact, even facial expressions can greatly alter a conversation without any hint of evidence. So you see, we must all work together to reach a level of understanding and accomodation that helps both sides: the neuro-typical and the aspie or other person on the spectrum. Feel free to join the message board and offer your input.
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A Definition of Autism
Autism is a lifelong biological condition that affects the normal development of the brain, it usually is first noticed during early childhood. It is said to affect one out of every 200 individuals. Affected areas include imagination, social interaction and communication skills. Other features commonly found in autistic individuals include learning difficulties, obsessive interest and need for routine, and body movements or "tics". Often times motor coordination is an issue as well or the individual may be nonverbal.
Autism is neurological, and is not a psychological condition. There is no known cure for Autism. Certain parts of the brain are able to function perfectly in a person with with autism. However, other parts of the brain are not. The autistic person's mannerisms, concrete thinking, habits, rituals, and special interests are all linked to brain development.
Because of how many groups of areas are covered and how much they can vary from one individual to another, they have named this group of disabilities the "Autistic Spectrum". In the spectrum are: Autism, HFA (High Functioning Autism), Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disability - Not Otherwise Specified). Asperger's is autism without the lack of interest in making interaction socially or delay in language development but still has the difficulty functioning within society. PDD-NOS is the term for those who have autistic traits but do not fit well into any other category of the spectrum.
Two disorders that are similar to Autism are Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
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Classic Autism
This is considered as the strongest form of autism. In most cases, the individual is not able to function on their own and a few need constant care. Many are nonverbal and have hypersensitivity to aspects of the environment. Certain sounds, colors and textures can be extremely upsetting to the individual. Some have ritualistic patterns and routines they must adhere to on a day to day basis. Changes in the routine can upset them and even make them withdraw. An individual with classic autism has great difficulty adapting to changes in their surroundings.
Typical means for learning communication involves what is called Pecs (Picture Exchange Communication System). This system allows them to put pictures together to get their meaning across. One example, is where a parent may hold up a laminated card with a picture of their child's favorite food when asking what the child prefers to eat for dinner. The goal is to eventually enable the non-verbal to put several images together to represent meaning.
Sensory issues are a unique aspect of classic autism. Some Autistics enjoy the feeling of pressure at all points. The pressure helps relieve stress in most cases. Some products used are heavy vests, and slacks. A few autistics will wrap themselves in heavy blankets while others make use of a special device that exerts pressure by clamping the person between a set of pads. In no way is this considered a restraint, as the autistic person does this for enjoyment and not out of obligation. They do it to relieve stress in most cases.
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High Functioning Autism (HFA)
High Functioning Autism is similar to classic autism, but the people diagnosed with it are mostly on their own. They communicate verbally, and can function independently without needing constant care. While some are in group living environments, most others live independently with very little assistance. They usually hold down full or part time jobs.
While most people with autism have a hard time adapting to new environments, people with HFA are more tolerant of changes. As long as there are no surprises, and advanced notification is made, it will give them time to prepare for new schedules or routines.
As with classic autism, there are sensory issues involved with HFA. The nerve movements or "tics" are still often present. Some people may get annoyed at these traits, but in most cases it must be overlooked as it is a condition of the nervous system and does not impair judgement. In many cases, the Autistic may not even be aware of their "fidgeting".
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Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's Syndrome is considered as the "highest form" of autism. Unlike HFA (High Functioning Autism), Asperger's Syndrome does not have language delays. However, it still has sensory issues and OCD components (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Some individuals with the disorder are able to obtain meaningful employment, have families, and own homes. However, a large number of them must rely on housing assistance and often are not able to maintain employment. Unfortunately, the divorce rate among those with Asperger's Syndrome remains high do to the social deficits.
Among the most well known characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome, is the OCD component. The individual often has a "topic of interest" that they tend to dwell on more then other subjects. During the course of a conversation, the person will often go into excessive detail. Finishing a conversation can be a challenge, and the person affected often doesn't know when to stop.
Asperger's Syndrome can be accompanied with motor coordination issues. For example, a person with the disorder is likely to have problems trying to participate in sports such as basketball and baseball.
Like any other form of Autism, people with Asperger's Syndrome have sensory issues. Softer clothing is preferred, as well as a quieter and more subdued environment. Adaptation to changes in routines and environment is, again, a challenge with Asperger's Syndrome.
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Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified
The term Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is actually an umbrella term under which all the autism-related categories fall. It means that autism and the related diagnoses are developmental delays that pervade all of the person's functioning.
The PDD-NOS diagnosis is given to people who display many autistic-like symptoms, but do not meet all of the diagnostic criteria for autism. As children, all are considered to have some sort of language delay, yet they are almost always high functioning. Like people with autism, some may benefit from ABA directed teaching and Sensory Integration therapy. Please note that I mention that some may benefit, but not all. It is important to carefully research how a treatment may affect someone before getting them into it. It may work, or it may backfire depending on the circumstances.
It is important to remember, that in order for any kind of treatment or therapy to work, the person recieving the treatment has to be receptive to it. If you give a carpenter a tool that is uncomfortable to handle and inconvenient to use, for example, then chances are that tool won't go to the job site no matter how it may boost production. If, on the other hand, the carpenter enjoys that device, then it will be used on the job site every day. The worker will wonder how he ever got along without it. People on the spectrum are no different. If you have a son or daughter, or other relative/friend with autism, and that person enjoys the sensory integration therapy, then by all means let them have their therapy. But if they are uncomfortable with the treatment they are recieving, then it may compromise their ability to function and may hurt them in the long run. In that case, it would be best to reconsider their treatment plan and look for other alternatives.
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Retts Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
I will explain these two conditions by listing the official definitions as they were found on the web. A link directs the reader to the web sites where each description was found. The author of AutismForum.net has no specific knowledge of these two disorders. However, they are considered as being similar to autism, so they are included here for reference. To learn more about Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, please visit the links provided.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
This rather rare condition was described many years before autism (Heller, 1908) but has only recently been 'officially' recognized. With CDD children develop a condition which resembles autism but only after a relatively prolonged period (usually 2 to 4 years) of clearly normal development (Volkmar, 1994). This condition apparently differs from autism in the pattern of onset, course, and outcome (Volkmar, 1994). Although apparently rare the condition probably has frequently been incorrectly diagnosed. Research is currently being conducted through the Developmental Disabilities Clinic at Yale.
Criteria and Clinical Features:
Both the DSM-IV and ICD-10 provide criteria for this condition. The criteria are rather similar in both, although some differences between the two systems are apparent (see recent publications). The condition develops in children who have previously seemed perfectly normal. Typically language, interest in the social environment, and often toileting and self-care abilities are lost, and there may be a general loss of interest in the environment. The child usually comes to look very 'autistic', i.e., the clinical presentation (but not the history) is then typical of a child with autism.
http://info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/autism/cdd.html
Rett Syndrome
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a debilitating neurological disorder historically believed to affect 1 in 10,000 females. It is now believed that the prevalance of RTT may be much higher. Although rare it is possible for boys to also have RTT. The disorder is named for Dr. Andreas Rett, an Austrian physician who identified the syndrome in 1966, although it remained unknown in the United States until 1983.
Symptomes:
Girls with Rett Syndrome appear to develop normally until 6 to 18 months of age. They then enter a period of regression, losing speech and dexterity skills they had acquired. Most girls develop seizures, repetitive movements, irregular breathing and motor-control problems.* A slowing of the rate of head growth may also become apparent. The girls can live to adulthood, but most never regain their dexterity or the ability to speak.
http://www.rsrf.org/about_rs.shtml
If the above link does not work, then you will need to cut and paste it in your browser window.
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Web Ring Navigation and Number of Visits
This site is a member of WebRing.
To browse visit
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Total number of visits over the last year: 133,717
Total number of visits in January, 2008: 11,661
Average number of daily visits in January, 2008: 376
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Created on 2003-02-04 10:24:27 by install
Updated on 2008-05-06 11:57:04 by MrCoffee
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