Autism (aw-tis-um) is a very serious brain disorder that affects how children communicate. Autism makes it hard for children to think, feel, play, or talk like other children. Autism effects every child differently. Some children are autistic from birth. Other children begin to show signs of autism by 3 years of age. Many autistic children are also mentally slow. Autism is seen about 4 times more often in boys than in girls.
Your child may have signs of autism for the rest of his life. Some autistic children learn skills as they get older that help them work and live in their community. Other autistic children need to have someone care for them forever. Medicine and other treatments may be used to treat autism.
Causes: It is not clearly known what causes autism. Scientists are beginning to understand that problems with how a baby's brain develops before and after birth may cause it. Autistic children have brains that look and work in a different way than normal children. Autism may run in families.
Signs and Symptoms: Autistic children have many different signs and symptoms. Your child may have some or many of the following.
Avoids looking at you or other people.
Cannot sit still for any amount of time and moves quickly from one activity to the next.
Cries all the time, or cried all the time when he was a baby.
Does not like being touched.
Does not understand or hear when you talk to him.
Does the same thing over and over like head banging, body rocking, or hand twisting.
Gets upset if his routine is changed, like changing what he usually eats or drinks.
Has a bad temper tantrum because a change upsets him.
Has problems talking and seems to have a language of his own. He may say the same words over and over in a high sounding voice.
Seems not to know you from other people and strangers.
Seems not to have fun when playing, and does not have normal friendships like other children.
Seizures (convulsions).
Sniffs or licks toys.
Stiffens up when you pick him up.
Tries to hurt himself or others by biting, hitting, or kicking.
Very anxious (nervous) or changes moods quickly.
Very quiet as a baby or did not want to be cuddled or held.
Will not come to you to be comforted when he is ill, hurt, or tired. Or, does not seem to feel his injuries or pain at all.
Care: Your child may need to be put in the hospital for tests and treatment. Caregivers may need to do many tests like blood tests, hearing tests, visual tests, a MRI or PET scan. There is no cure for autism, but treatment may help your child live a more normal life. Treatment is different for every autistic child. What treatment works for one child may not work for your child. It is best if treatment for your child's autism is started early. Caregivers may suggest one or more of the following treatments.
Coping: Your family may feel scared, confused, and anxious because of your child's autism. As parents you may blame yourself and think you have done something wrong. These feelings are normal. Talk about them with your child's caregiver or someone close to you. Ask your child's caregiver about support groups for children with autism. Such a group can give your child and the family support and information. You may want to write or call the following support groups.
Autism Society of America 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300 Bethesda, MD 20814-3067 Phone: 1-800-328-8476 Web Address: http://www.autism-society.org
Autism Research Institute 4182 Adams Avenue San Diego, CA 92166 Web Address: http://www.autism.com/ari
Center for the Study of Autism P.O. Box 4538 Salem, OR 97302 Web Address: http://www.autism.org
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Public Information & Communication Branch 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 Phone: 1-301-443-4513 Phone: 1-866-615-6464 Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
