|
»
A New Opportunity
What is Autism?
Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain, much more
severe than dyslexia, or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
Autism is not a form of intellectual impairment. Many people
with Autism who appear to function as intellectually impaired
are frequently quite intelligent.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Autism can vary widely from one individual
to the next. Autism is referred to as a spectrum disorder
because it ranges in severity across a wide range of conditions.
Symptoms include:
-
Disturbances in the rate of appearance of fine and gross
motor skills, social skills and language skills.
-
Abnormal responses to sensations. Any one or a combination
of senses or responses are affected - sight, hearing,
touch, pain, balance, smell, taste and the way a child
holds his/her body.
-
Absent or delayed speech and language whilst specific
thinking capabilities might be present.
-
Abnormal ways of relating to people, objects and events.
The severe form of the syndrome may include severe self injurious,
repetitive, highly unusual and aggressive behaviour.
A diagnosis of Autism is based on the presence of a cluster
of observable behavioural symptoms and lack of skills in particular
areas of functioning.
What is the chance your child will be diagnosed with Autism?
The incidence numbers vary depending upon what text you are
reading and can range from 2 - 4 per 10,000 births to 15 per
10,000 births.
A Press Release distributed by the Autistic Association of
Queensland (AAQ) dated 4 1998 gave the incidence at "1
in 500 births". Australian Bureau of Statistics reports
estimate the number of births in Queensland in 1997/98 to
be 46,904. This means approximately 94 children with Autism
are born every year.
Next: What is the
most effective treatment for children with Autism? >
|
 |
|
