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AUTISM

By Ainsley Bissett
INTRO

 Autism falls into a group of disorders called Autism Spectrum


Disorders, or ASDs.
 ASDs are considered to be developmental disorders, which impair a
child’s ability to develop and grow normally.
 Most symptoms appear in children before the age of three.
 Autism can affect three domains of functioning for children.
 The most affected domain is social interactions.
 The other two areas include trouble with speaking and having
repetitive interests, thoughts, or behaviors.
CAUSES

 There is no single cause for autism, but is generally known to be caused


by abnormalities in brain structure.
 Most common theory is a combination of environmental factors and genetic
predisposition.
 Some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers
have yet to discover a trigger that causes autism to develop.
 Under certain conditions, some unstable genes may interfere with brain
development.
 Viral infections, metabolic imbalances, and exposure to chemicals
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
 Many children diagnosed with autism have a pattern of autism or related
disabilities in their family.
 There is no one gene that causes autism.
 One reason that researchers have a tough time tracing the spread of autism,
is because the disease varies from one person to another.
 Ranges from mild to severe symptoms, and some acquire special skills.
 Exposure to certain toxins, such as pesticides and phthalates, increases the
chances of a child having autism.
 Autism tends to occur in children with genetic or chromosomal conditions
such as down syndrome or tuberous sclerosis.
SYMPTOMS  Lack of interest in others
 Show interest in objects rather than people
 Avoid eye contact
 Failure to show empathy
 Makes communicating and interacting with
people difficult
 Chatting, playing, hanging out, or socializing
 Fails to recognize or answer to their own name
 Repetitive behaviors (rocking or twirling)
 Delayed speech or other important milestones
 Sometimes, children may be sensitive to loud
noises and changes in their daily routine.
 There is no cure, but treatments can help manage
symptoms.
 It’s important to start early because the brains of
children under 5 often adapt more easily.
 Therapy can help kids learn language and life skills.
 Behavioral therapy, speech therapy,
occupational therapy, social skills therapy, musical
therapy
 Separate schooling
 Autism alone is not fatal, but many people have other
conditions that are, such as epilepsy.

CAN IT BE TREATED OR CURED? IS IT


FATAL?
 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with
autism.
 Boys are five times more likely to have
autism than girls.
 Autism is one of the fastest-growing
developmental disorders in the US.
 About 40% of people with autism have
average or above-average intelligence.
 Parents who have a child with an ASD
have a 2%–18% chance of having a
second child who is also affected.

STATS AND FACTS


WORKS CITED

 Autism Society. “Causes.” Autism Society, 15 July 2015,


www.autism-society.org/what-is/causes/.
 Autism Speaks. “What Is Autism?” Autism Speaks, 31 May 2012,
www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism.
 CDC. “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).” CDC, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 11 July 2016,
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html.
 Rodriguez, Diana. “What Is Autism?” EverydayHealth.com,
Everyday Health, 9 Jan. 2014,
www.everydayhealth.com/autism/autism-basics.aspx.
 Walter, Rhonda S. “Autism.” KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, Aug.
2016, kidshealth.org/en/teens/autism.html.

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