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Autism Spectrum Disorders encompass a wide range of developmental disabilities, including Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
Autism is the most common ASD condition, and it affects males four times more often than females. Children and adults with autism are generally challenged with difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication, impaired social interaction, unusual, repetitive, or extremely limited activities and interests. These difficulties can range from mild to severe. Most children with autism engage in some degree of self-abusive or self-stimulatory behavior.
Children with Asperger Syndrome exhibit many of the same characteristics of children with autism, though on a milder scale. Deficiencies in social skills, a preference for sameness and routines, sensory issues, and difficulty with determining proper body space are all characteristics of this disability. Often people with Asperger Syndrome have a specialized talent or obsess about certain topics. They perceive the world quite differently from most in society due to their neurological differences. Individuals with Asperger Syndrome have a normal IQ and may be viewed as eccentric or odd by the casual observer. Language development may appear normal; however, most with Asperger Syndrome have difficulty with social language and appear to sound like “little professors”.
Rett Syndrome is an ASD that is recognized in infancy and almost always exists in girls rather than boys. It is a genetic developmental disorder that causes problems in brain function and can affect learning, speech, sensory sensations, mood, movement, breathing, cardiac function, and even chewing, swallowing, and digestion. Development often appears normal until the age of six to eighteen months, when skills then slow down and regress. Rett Syndrome is confirmed by a blood test and evaluation of the child’s developmental characteristics. It can present with mild to severe symptoms, and may look quite different from one child to another.
Child Disintegrative Disorder is a rare condition in which children develop normally until age 3 or 4, but then demonstrate a severe loss of social, communication and other skills. While the onset of classic autism is generally at a younger age, childhood disintegrative disorder has a higher likelihood of mental retardation and more significant developmental delays.
When a child has some characteristics of autism, but not enough for a definitive diagnosis, s/he is sometimes determined to have Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified. These children often perseverate on an activity, become overly upset with transitions or changes in routine, may spin a toy for long periods of time or fixate on certain topics.
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Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder generally struggle with social interaction, and have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling. Reading “social cues”, such as facial expressions and tone of voice, are difficult for them. Speech is sometimes delayed or nonexistent, although many kids with autism can and do develop alternate ways to communicate. Sensory issues are common, often with a reduced sensitivity to pain and hyper arousal to sound, touch or other stimulation. There is a higher than average risk for co-existing conditions in individuals who have an ASD. Children with Asperger Syndrome are at risk for teasing or bullying due to their differences. Individuals with Rett Syndrome benefit from special education services to address their individual needs, as well as specialized medical care in some instances. Behavioral therapies and strategies are often necessary to help children with ASD develop independence and skills. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder encompass a wide range of abilities. Some will attend college and live independently, while others will require ongoing lifelong care and assistance.
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