Autistic Disorder

Autistic Disorder is a neurological problem that affects nearly 5 out of every 1000

American children.1 Autism is a developmental disorder that may also be referred to as

Autistic Spectrum Disorder or ASD. This physical condition is a disease of the brain that

is present from birth. Autism is recognizable by the various obstructions it produces in

social, language, learning and motor skills development and is observable by the age of

three. It is a disorder that has the ability to change the lives of those affected forever.

Though the causes are generally unknown, many theories have been produced in regards

to the triggers of autistic disorder. Scientists and researchers have noted a divergent list

of possible factors that lead to autism. Some of the causes include genetic predisposition,

diet, mercury poisoning as well as sensitivity to vaccines. In recent times it has been

realized that the relative amount of children diagnosed with autism has been on the rise.

However, it is unclear if this change results from an actual increased presence of the

disorder or whether diagnosis of the problem has become more common.2

Autism affects the natural chemical and biological homeostasis of the brain. This

disease may cause children to exhibit difficulty or lack of communication and learning

ability. Those affected may not be able to coherently produce speech like others of a

similar age range because they do not learn as easily as others. In addition, "People with

autism have problems talking and understanding, and they usually have poor social

skills."3 Those affected usually cannot correctly discern verbal and nonverbal social

Lennard-Brown, Sarah. Autism. Chicago, IL: Raintree, 2004. Print.

"NINDS Autism Information Page." Autism Information Page: National Institute of

Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Web. 21 Mar. 2012.

3 Freedman, Jeri. Autism. New York, NY: Rosen Pub., 2009. Print.

gestures, usually misusing these cues themselves. Other symptoms of autistic disorder

include limited social abilities that cause those affected to often be socially awkward and

reclusive. Autistic people often spend time alone and have a hard time expressing and

sensing emotions. Those with ASD may have either depressed or heightened reactions to

sensory information. Autism usually causes people to follow repetitive or ritualistic

behaviors, and those who suffer show interest in only a narrow range of topics, of which

they may develop mastery due to repeated attentiveness to the subjects. 4

This is a terrible disorder which dramatically changes the lives of those

affected, as well as