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Autism

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Autism

Autism is a type of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). PDD is a group of conditions that involve delayed development of communication and social skills. Autism is the most severe type of PDD. But autistic symptoms can be mild to severe.

A child with autism may:

• not respond to his or her name
• be slow in developing language skills. Some people with autism never learn how to talk.
• not point or wave "bye-bye"
• not smile when smiled at
• have poor eye contact
• be in his or her "own world"
• tune people out
• prefer to play alone
• throw intense or violent tantrums
• self-injure, including biting or banging his or her head against something
• doing the same things repeatedly, such as rocking or twirling
• have rigid routines, such a putting things in a certain order
• show an unusual attachment to objects, especially "hard" ones, such as a flashlight or key chain, instead of "soft" ones, such as a blanket or stuffed animal

The cause of autism is not known, but it's likely that genes play a role. These genes may disrupt normal brain development.

There is no cure for autism. But for many children, autism symptoms improve with treatment and with age. Some children with autism grow up to lead normal or near-normal lives.

Treatments for autism focus on:

• improving speech and language skills
• improving non-verbal communication skills, such as making eye contact when speaking with someone and making correct hand gestures
• improving posture and balance
• reducing repetitive behaviors and rigid routines

Medicines also may help reduce the self-injury, tantrums, and other effects of autism.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Autism and Communication - This fact sheet describes autism, who it can affect, development of speech and language, communication problems, and research being conducted on autism. It also includes the treatment of speech and language problems and a list of additional resources.

   http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/autism.asp

2.   Autism and the MMR Vaccine - This internet site discusses the latest findings of studies of the relationship between the MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella) vaccine and autism.

   http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/autism/mmr/

3.   Autism Fact Sheet - This publication describes Autism and discusses treatments available, prognosis, and research being performed. It also lists additional resources.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

4.   Autism Information Center - This web site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links to resources about autism from the CDC for families, doctors, researchers, and more.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/

5.     Autism Overview: What we know - This fact sheet provides information about autism, including a description of the disorder, possible signs that a child may be autistic, and treatments available.

   http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/upload/autism_overview_2005.pdf

6.   Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) - This fact sheet provides the basic facts about autism, causes, genetic links, research, and the non-causal relation of any vaccine to autism.

   http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism_and_autism_spectrum_disorders.cfm

7.   Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) - This booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders, also called Pervasive Developmental Disorders. It also includes information on getting help and coping.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/autism.cfm

8. Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder - This fact sheet contains a definition and overview of autism and pervasive developmental disorder, including incidence, characteristics, educational implications, and where to get more information.

   http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs1txt.htm

Organizations

1.   National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC
2.   National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Clearinghouse, NICHD, NIH, HHS
3.   National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
4.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
5.   National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, HHS
6. Association of University Centers on Disabilities
7. Autism Collaboration
8. Autism Research Institute
9. Autism Society of America
10. Autism Speaks
11. Father's Network

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.