Autism

What is Autism

Autism is a neurological condition in which a child is unable to relate to people and situations. It first emerges in early childhood, when the child is first developing social and interpersonal skills. It is a rare condition affecting approximately five people out of every 10,000. Seventy per cent of people with autism are male. Physically there is nothing wrong with people who have autism, and this can make diagnosis difficult. However, most autistic children will have been diagnosed by the age of three.

The condition continues throughout life, and can seriously affect how autistic people view and interact with the world around them. People with autism often find the world a confusing place, and can become trapped in behaviour patterns that may seem strange or obsessive while attempting to find the meaning in it.

Autistic people can find it extremely difficult to develop and sustain friendships since the feelings of other people make little sense to them. In an attempt to create a sense of meaning, autistic people may often fall into repetitive patterns of behaviour.

What are the Symptoms of Autism

There are a number of related disorders that were confused with autism in the past. Recent research has begun to distinguish between the different types of disorders that can cause autistic types of behaviour:

People with Asperger's Syndrome often display a high-functioning form of autism. The character of Raymond in the film Rain Man, for which Dustin Hoffman won an Oscar, displayed typical behaviour patterns of someone with Asperger's Syndrome. Able to communicate and possessing an excellent memory, Raymond's thinking was extremely literal and he showed signs of obsessive behaviour, such as insisting on flying with a particular airline.

What are the Causes of Autism

There does not seem to be a single cause of autism, but increasingly genetic influence is coming to be seen as important. It is more likely that identical twins will both be autistic than non-identical twins, for example. Autism is thought to be related to how the brain develops during pregnancy and shortly after birth. There is growing speculation in America about the influence of viruses and pollution on the development of autism. Having a bout of Rubella while pregnant may increase the chances of having an autistic child.

Traditional Medical Treatments for Autism

Autism is a lifelong condition, and there is no "cure". With early diagnosis and special education, children with autism will be able to improve their social and communication skills. Unfortunately, such specialist care can be difficult to obtain in Ireland.