Understanding Autism

What is Autism?

Autism is a neurological disorder that typically is diagnosed by the age of three. The symptoms of autism involve three major areas of development and impact a child’s abilities to:

• Engage in reciprocal social interactions with others
• Communicate with others in developmentally appropriate ways; and
• Participate in a range of activities and behaviors typical of the child’s age and stage of development

One of the hallmarks of autism is that the characteristics vary significantly among different children with autism. No two children with autism are the same.

The impairment can range from relatively mild resulting in a diagnosis within the spectrum of Asperger Syndrome to more severe leading to a diagnosis of more classic autism. If a child has symptoms of either of these disorders, but does not meet the specific criteria of either, the diagnosis is called Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).

Autism spectrum disorders are found in all cultures and across all socio-economic groups with the ratio boys to girls with ASD being 4 to 1. In the past 30 years the prevalence rate of ASD has skyrocketed. Recent estimates indicate that autism spectrum disorders occur in 1 out of every 150 children born (CDC 2007) highlighting the facts that autism spectrum disorders are not rare and the importance of effective intervention is critical on a personal, familial and societal level.

Why the increase? No one knows for sure. Some epidemiologists point to a broader definition of autism and an increasing awareness among medical professionals as key contributing factors. Others consider the potential impact of environmental factors (e.g., toxins) as a contributing cause. As more and more research is funded and completed this question may soon be answered.

What is Asperger Syndrome?

Asperger Syndrome is a complex developmental disability marked by impairments in socialization, communication, cognition, and sensation. Like classic autism, Asperger Syndrome is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It is a lifelong disorder that carries with it considerable and long-term challenges. Although the characteristics of Asperger Syndrome will vary somewhat from person to person, common effects of the disorder include:

• Trouble understanding social cues and conversational language styles
• An inflexible adherence to routine or ritual
• Repetition of movements or words and phrases
• Difficulties with fine-motor skills and sensory integration
• A persistent preoccupation with objects or narrowly focused topics of interest

What is PDD-NOS?

Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is the term used to identify a condition that shares the same central features as autism yet does not meet all the criteria for an actual diagnosis of autism or Asperger Syndrome.  While learners with a PDD-NOS diagnosis may present as being “less affected” than the learner with autism, the course of intervention generally parallels that of an autism diagnosis.