What is Autism?
Autism is a severely incapacitating, lifelong developmental disability that begins at birth or during the first 3 years of life. In the broader category would be both people with classical autism and others with varying degrees of autistic behavior. Autism is four times more common in males than females, and has been found throughout the world in families of all racial, ethnic, and social backgrounds. Currently, 1 in 166 children are being diagnosed with autism.

Approximately 60% of all those with autism have I.Q. scores below 50; 20% between 50 and 70; and 20% greater than 70. Most show wide variations in performance on different tests at different times. Many children with autism have distinct skills in music, mathematics, or in using spatial concepts (for ex. working jigsaw puzzles), but manifest severe retardation in other areas.

What causes Autism?
There appear to be several possible causes, either alone or in combination with others. Among these are untreated phenylketonuria, rubella, celiac disease, and chemical exposure in pregnancy. Biochemical imbalance and genetic predisposition have also emerged as possible causes. No known factors in the psychological environment of a child have been shown to cause autism.

How is it diagnosed?
Because there are no medical tests for autism at present, the diagnosis must be based on observations of the child's behavior. Sometimes the process of elimination is the only guide. For older children, whose early symptoms have changed, it may be necessary to interview the parents about the child's early years in order to avoid misdiagnosis.

Is autism ever associated with other disorders?
Autism occurs either by itself or in association with other disorders which affect brain function. Preinatal viral infections, some metabolic disturbances, epilepsy, or mental retardation may result in, or exist in conjunction with autistic behavior.

With approximately 3% of those afflicted, severe autism may cause extreme forms of self-injurious, repetitive, highly unusual, and aggressive behavior. The behavior may persist and be very difficult to change, posing a tremendous challenge to those who must manage, treat and teach individuals with autism.

People with autism live normal life spans. Since certain symptoms may change or even disappear over time, persons with autism should be re-evaluated periodically and their treatment adjustment to meet their changing needs.

What are the most effective treatments?
Various methods of treatment have been tried but no single treatment is effective in all cases. However, appropriate programming, based on individual functioning level and need, is of prime importance. There is no known cure.

Education
Highly structured, skill-oriented training, tailored to the individual, has proven most helpful. Social and language skills should be developed as much as possible. Thought must also be given to avoiding secondary handicaps, such as loss of muscle tone when inactivity is a problem.

Counseling
Supportive counseling may be helpful for families with members who have autism, just as it is for other families with members who have lifelong disabilities. Physicians can usually advise parents as to counseling services available. Care must be taken to avoid unenlightened counselors who erroneously believe that parental attitudes and behavior cause autism.

Medication/Diet
In the types of autism where metabolic abnormalities can be identified, controlled diet and/or medication can be beneficial. Examples are those whose autism is caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, or whose autism is aggravated by nutritional imbalances. Also, proper monitored medication to decrease specific symptoms can help some autistic individuals live more satisfactory lives.

What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Strokes (NINCDS) initiated a research section on autism in 1983, and may be contacted directly concerning research initiatives in diagnostic, treatment, education, habilitative, and evaluative approaches relevant to autism.

NINCDS is continuing to study the 14 autistic children identified in its Collaborative Perinatal Project (a 15-year study of 55,000 pregnancies and the outcomes). This project centers on efforts to identify predictive signs of autism.

Ongoing study is necessary to determine how autism occurs and to identify ways to prevent or alleviate its effects.