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Topic: Autism spectrum disorders


  
  Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism is an umbrella term for a wide spectrum of disorders, sometimes referred to as “Pervasive Developmental Disorders” or “Autism Spectrum Disorders.” This essay is intended as a basic introduction -- a who, what, when, where, why, and how of autism.
Autism spectrum disorders affect not only the person diagnosed with the disorder, but also make a significant impact on the entire family with a variety of social, financial, and other practical demands.
Children with autism spectrum disorders may be non-verbal and asocial, as in the case of many with “classic” autism, or Autistic Disorder.
www.firstsigns.org /delays_disorders/asd.htm   (851 words)

  
 Autism spectrum disorders in children and teens
Symptoms of autism spectrum disorders are usually identified by age 3, and researchers are now identifying ways to detect early signs in the first year of a child’s life.
Autism spectrum disorders may be evident during an office visit if a child makes little eye contact with the clinician, has little interest in the interaction, or becomes preoccupied with an unusual object in the room.
Autism spectrum disorders are caused by complex genetic and environmental factors beyond the control of the child or the child’s family.
www.massgeneral.org /schoolpsychiatry/info_autism.asp   (7419 words)

  
 Autism Spectrum Disorder & Brain SPECT Imaging
Classic Autism (also known as Kanner's Autism or Syndrome), Asperger's Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) are specific types of neurobehavioral complications classified within a group of developmental conditions known as "Autism Spectrum Disorders".
Autism is considered a spectrum disorder because the number and intensity of the symptoms people with autism display may vary widely.
Social Interaction: A person with an autism spectrum disorder may not use or understand non-verbal communication, or (s)he may not develop peer relationships that are appropriate to his or her developmental level.
www.brainmattersinc.com /autism.html   (1257 words)

  
 Autism Fact Sheet
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are developmental disabilities characterized by difficulties with social interactions, impairment in verbal and/or nonverbal communication, and the development of repetitive, unusual, or highly-specialized interests.
We prefer ASD over PDD because it emphasizes the common “autism-like” features of all of these specific diagnoses and, at the same time reflects the wide variation in the manner and severity that individuals are affected.
Is the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders increasing?
www.jhsph.edu /cadde/Facts/autism.html   (1324 words)

  
 Autism Spectrum Disorders
Not until the middle of the twentieth century was there a name for a disorder that now appears to affect an estimated one of every five hundred children, a disorder that causes disruption in families and unfulfilled lives for many children.
All these disorders are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, social interactions, and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior.
The autism spectrum disorders can often be reliably detected by the age of 3 years, and in some cases as early as 18 months.
www.psychdaily.com /disorders/autism   (429 words)

  
 Autism Today, latest news and resources for autism and autism related issues
Autism encompasses a broad range of brain disorders that, by conservative estimates, affects 1 in 500 children.
Individuals on the autism spectrum may lack speech altogether or may be delayed in their acquisition and use of language.
Autism Today does not endorse any one method of treatment, but we are dedicated to examining the latest research and methods of treatments that allow you to make an informed choice.
www.autismtoday.com /autism_whatis.htm   (551 words)

  
 Judevine Center for Autism :: Autism Spectrum Disorders
To date, genetic causes for one disorder commonly accompanied by autism (Fragile X syndrome) (www.fragilex.org) and one autism-spectrum disorder (Rett syndrome) (www.rettsyndrome.org)have been identified and genetic “hotspots” for autism have been found.
In Asperger's Disorder, affected individuals are characterized by social isolation and eccentric behavior in childhood.
In contrast to Autistic disorder (Autism), there are no clinically significant delays in language or cognition or self-help skills or in adaptive behavior, other than social interaction.
www.judevine.org /autism/spectrum_disorders.html   (779 words)

  
 Autistic spectrum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
At the severe end of the spectrum is low-functioning autism which has profound impairments in many areas, to Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism, to "normal" behaviour and perhaps hypersocialization on the high end of the spectrum.
The nosological category of pervasive developmental disorders includes syndromes that may be etiologically unrelated to autism, with autistic-like behavior being only one part of the disorder: Rett's syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder.
Autism Key - Established by and for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders.
en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Autistic_spectrum   (576 words)

  
 Autism Spectrum Disorders
Asperger syndrome: A milder form of autism where children tend to isolate themselves socially and are somewhat eccentric.
This disorder affects only female and is extremely rare affecting only only one in 100,000 children.
This disorder starts with hand wringing movements that are so dramatic that a child may have problems feeding themselves.
www.autism-pdd.net /autism-spectrum-disorders.html   (245 words)

  
 [No title]
Incomplete ascertainment of autism cases in young child populations is the largest source of predictable bias in prevalence surveys;...
Such comparisons show large recent increases in rates of autism and autistic spectrum disorders in both the U.S. and the U.K. Reported rates of autism in the United States increased from,3 per 10,000 children in the 1970s to.30 per 10,000 children in the 1990s, a 10-fold increase.
The Autism Society of Hawaii is committed to educating service providers and the community about autism spectrum disorders, as well as advocating for and supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
www.lycos.com /info/autism--autism-spectrum-disorders.html   (747 words)

  
 eMJA: Incidence of autism spectrum disorders in children in two Australian states
The ratio of all autism spectrum disorders to autistic disorder alone was 1.5:1 in WA and 1.3:1 in NSW, and rose with age (1.8:1 and 2.9:1 in 10–14-year-olds in WA and NSW, respectively).
The concept of a continuum of autism was first discussed in 1979,8 and the terms “autistic spectrum disorder” and “autistic continuum” were introduced in 1988.
The ratio of all autism spectrum disorders to autistic disorder alone was 1.3:1 in NSW and 1.5:1 in WA.
www.mja.com.au /public/issues/182_03_070205/wil10326_fm.html   (3319 words)

  
 eMedicine - PET Scanning in Autism Spectrum Disorders : Article by James Robert Brasic, MD, MPH
Autistic disorder is a class of pervasive developmental disorders that present in early childhood and are characterized by marked abnormalities in language, communication, and social interactions and by a restricted and peculiar range of interests and activities.
Also, in boys with autistic disorder, serotonin synthesis typically is decreased in the frontal region and thalamus on one side of the brain and increased in the dentate nucleus of the opposite cerebellum.
Hypersensitivity of serotonin type 1D receptor in autistic disorder is suggested by the greater growth hormone response and increase of repetitive behavior of a small sample of adults with autistic disorder treated with sumatriptan, a serotonin type 1D agonist, as compared to placebo.
www.emedicine.com /neuro/topic440.htm   (9141 words)

  
 Autism - Autism Symptoms - Possible Causes of Autism
ASD's are commonly said to start in childhood and last for the persons whole life,but as you will see below, there are many new theories as to the cause(s) of these disorders and many offer the hope of effective treatments.
Another major criticism is that in at least 4 of the 12 cases, behavioral symptoms preceded the onset of the bowel disorder and thus the line of cause and effect between MMR vaccination and autism, is broken.
The researchers are working on the assumption that there is a genetic susceptibility to autism in a proportion of children but there may be an environmental factor that has to be present during their early years that "pushes their nervous system over the edge into autism".
www.ei-resource.org /autism.asp   (4880 words)

  
 NIMH: Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders)   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10)
The autism spectrum disorders can often be reliably detected by the age of 3 years, and in some cases as early as 18 months.
The CDC survey assigned a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder based on health and school records of 8 year olds in 14 communities throughout the U.S. Debate continues about whether this represents a true increase in the prevalence of autism.
Changes in the criteria used to diagnose autism, along with increased recognition of the disorder by professionals and the public may all be contributing factors.
www.nimh.nih.gov /publicat/autism.cfm   (9792 words)

  
 AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS including ASPERGER SYNDROME : Contact a Family - for families with disabled children: ...
The term Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is used to describe the group of pervasive developmental disorders characterised by abnormalities in social interaction and communication and by a restricted range of repetitive behaviour and interests.
Disorders that currently exist within the international classification systems such as Asperger syndrome, Infantile Autism and Childhood Disintegrative disorder are considered to lie on the "spectrum".
ASD can often be associated with other neurodevelopmental disorders (such as Learning disability and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder) and other co-morbid behavioural and mental health problems including depression, social anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive disorder.
www.cafamily.org.uk /Direct/a84.html   (1346 words)

  
 Medication and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Autism Spectrum Disorders are clinical disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.
Autism is a developmental disability, not a mental illness.
BEFORE medication is administered, data needs to be analyzed, looking for patterns and trends in time, place, and activity, staffing patterns or other factors that indicate that something in the person's life needs to be changed on their behalf.
www.newhorizons.org /spneeds/autism/doyle_medication.htm   (1237 words)

  
 Autism Spectrum Disorders   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10)
In recent years the perception of Autism has changed with a greater awareness that a single diagnosis is limited and that patterns of behaviour fall into three key areas: communication, social interaction and imaginative thought.
We would like to draw your attention to a number of instruments now available including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which is considered a “gold standard” internationally for the screening of autism disorders.
ACER's Autism Spectrum Disorders Catalogue 2005 profiles a range of assessment materials and other resources published and distributed by ACER Press.
www.acer.edu.au /publications/acerpress/genres/autism.html   (245 words)

  
 American Academy of Pediatrics National Center of Medical Home Initiatives for Children with Special Needs
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities caused by unusual brain development that begin during childhood and last throughout a person's life.
ASD has lifelong conditions and this booklet will help identify symptoms so that an intervention program can be started as soon as possible.
Autism A.L.A.R.M. The following guidelines adapted from key policy statements of the AAP and American Academy of Neurology, were developed in order to establish standard practices among physicians, to simplify the screening process, and to ensure that all children receive routine and appropriate screenings and timely interventions.
www.medicalhomeinfo.org /health/autism.html   (1427 words)

  
 Kennedy Krieger Institute: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) (also referred to as PDDs) are brain-based developmental disabilities that affect a child’s ability to communicate, understand language, play and relate to others.
Autism is typically diagnosed by three years of age; however, researchers here at CARD are currently working to detect the signs and symptoms of autism at the earliest age possible.
www.kennedykrieger.org /kki_diag.jsp?pid=1072   (765 words)

  
 MCH Library Knowledge Path: Autism Spectrum Disorders
However, the term "autism" is frequently used in the literature to describe all of the disorders in the ASD spectrum and therefore appears often below, following the usage of the source cited.
It is the collaborative effort of the Autism Genetics Cooperative, a group of researchers and health professionals working with the help of families with children affected by autism to find the genetic causes of autism.
This report describes the trend in the number of children diagnosed with autism served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the services provided to these children, the estimated per-pupil expenditures for educating children with autism, and approaches to their education.
www.mchlibrary.info /KnowledgePaths/kp_autism.html   (3508 words)

  
 Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Sorting Out Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and Other Conditions
The classification of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders is in a state of flux.
Autistic Spectrum disorders are marked by their difficulty in communication/socialization in areas other than the literal meaning of words.
Asperger’s and Autism share primarily the difficulty of recognizing the existence of others—trouble with theory of mind.
www.pediatricneurology.com /autism.htm   (4892 words)

  
 Autism Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
Autism varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when more debilitating handicaps mask it.
The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests.
www.ninds.nih.gov /disorders/autism/autism.htm   (578 words)

  
 National Autism Association is here to offer information and support to everyone affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. ...
As the parent of two boys, one of whom is on the autism spectrum, Becky is committed to using her experience to benefit children with autism.
Autism spectrum disorders are complex and often difficult to understand for families and professionals alike.
The National Autism Association strongly believes that there are effective treatments for autism spectrum disorders as well as a long awaited cure for the millions of families affected.
www.nationalautismassociation.org   (1185 words)

  
 Autism Spectrum Disorders
At a recent conference on autism, one researcher described investigations of families of autistic children that indicate autistic tendencies in siblings and parents of children with autism.
This spectrum may even include people with anti-social personality, but research into this disorder more and more implicates head trauma, prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs, or encephalitic illnesses.
Viewpoint on the brain disorder in autism (2003)
www.conradsimon.org /AutismSpectrum.shtml   (256 words)

  
 Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Autism Spectrum Disorders Program serves as a resource to local education agencies, including charter schools.
One goal of the program is to provide training in a wide range of techniques and methods that have been proven effective in the education of students with this particular learning style.
Students with autism spectrum disorders often have significant difficulty with the pragmatic use of language.
www.ncpublicschools.org /ec/instructional/autism   (501 words)

  
 Autism Spectrum Disorders Overview, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10)
The Kelly O'Leary Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a collaborative parent and professional program that provides diagnostic, treatment and support services.
It was established when families advocated for a response to the needs of children with autism and their families.
To advance knowledge of autism spectrum disorders, the center also conducts research studies.
www.cincinnatichildrens.org /svc/alpha/k/pervasive-disorders   (314 words)

  
 Autism Information Center, DD, NCBDDD, CDC
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities defined by significant impairments in social interaction and communication and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests.
Many people with ASDs also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to different sensations.
ASD begins before the age of 3 and lasts throughout a person's life.
www.cdc.gov /ncbddd/autism   (270 words)

  
 American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. - Autism Spectrum Disorders
Written to help the nonspecialist provide state-of-the-art care, this remarkable volume synthesizes the most recent research on the etiology, assessment, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for practitioners.
Part I offers a historical perspective that traces the major scientific advances, debates, and hypotheses that have informed clinical practice since autism was first described in 1943, including how to use these advances in everyday practice.
Part II presents a model of team building and cross-disciplinary collaboration that is the practice at the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute at the University of California—Davis, the institution with which most of the contributors are associated.
www.appi.org /book.cfm?id=62119   (638 words)

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