- What is Autism? -
Understanding Autism can sometimes be overwhelming. Here's some basic information that might be helpful.
Autism is a developmental disorder, typically diagnosed during the first three years of life. It is neurological in nature, affecting the brain in four major areas of functioning: language/communication, social skills, sensory systems and behavior. The cause of autism remains a mystery. Current research suggests there may be different subsets of the disorder arising from genetics, environmental insults, or a combination of both.
Every person with autism is unique; no two individuals manifest the same characteristics in the same degree of severity and it is therefore viewed as a "spectrum" disorder. Individuals can range from those who are nonverbal with severe challenges that include self-injurious behaviors and mental retardation, to individuals on the higher-functioning end of the spectrum (known as Asperger's Syndrome) who are extremely intelligent, with good verbal language, yet impaired social skills and weak perspective-talking abilities.
The rate of autism is now 1 in every 150 births (Centers for Disease Control,
2007) and continues to climb. Every 21 minutes a child is diagnosed on the spectrum. It is four times more prevalent in boys than girls, and the overall incidence is the same around the globe, and within different racial, social and ethnic communities.
Autism is a different way of thinking and learning. People with autism are people first; autism is only one part of who they are. With individualized and appropriate intervention, children with ASD can succeed and learn to adapt to the world around them.
Sometimes it is difficult to make sense of the alphabet soup you will hear and see in special education. Here are a few acronyms and their meanings to help you make sense of it.
ABA-Applied Behavior Analysis
AS-Asperger's Syndrome
ASD-Autism Spectrum Disorders
DSM-iV-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition
EI-Early intervention
FAPE-Free, appropriate, public education
GFCF-Gluten-free, Casein-free
IDEA-Individuals with Disability Education Act
IEP-Individual Education Program,
LD-Learning Disability
OT-Occupational Therapist
PECS-Picture Exchange Communication System
PDD-Pervasive Developmental Disorder
PT-Physical therapist
SLP-Speech Language Pathologist
Voc-ED-Vocational education
Above information taken from: http://www.autismdigest.com July - August 2007