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This Web site is a component of the SAMHSA Health Information Network. |
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Children's Mental Health Facts
Children and Adolescents with Autism
About Autism
The Signs of Autism
Prevalence of Autism
Causes of Autism
Help is Available for Families
What else can parents do?
Other Fact Sheets in this Series
Important Messages About Children's and Adolescents' Mental Health
Mental Health Resources on the Internet
For More Information
Systems of Care
Endnotes
What is autism?
Autism, also called autistic disorder, appears in early childhood, usually before age 3 (National Institutes of Health, 2001). Autism prevents children and adolescents from interacting normally with other people and affects almost every aspect of their social and psychological development.
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What are the signs of autism?
Autism has a wide variety of characteristics ranging in intensity from mild to severe. One child with autism does not behave like another child with the same diagnosis. Children and adolescents with autism typically:
- Have difficulty communicating with others.
- Exhibit repetitious behaviors, such as rocking back and forth, head banging, or touching or twirling objects.
- Have a limited range of interests and activities.
- May become upset by a small change in their environment or daily routine.
In addition to these characteristics, some children with autism experience hypersensitivity to hearing, touch, smell, or taste. Symptoms of autism can be seen in early infancy, but the condition also may appear after months of normal development. In most cases, however, it is not possible to identify a specific event that triggers the disorder.
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How common is autism?
Studies estimate that as many as 12 in every 10,000 children have autism or a related condition (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999). Autism is three times more common in boys than in girls (National Institutes of Health, 2001).
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What causes autism?
Researchers are unsure about what causes autism. Several studies suggest that autism might be caused by a combination of biological or environmental factors, or both, including viral exposure before birth, a problem with the immune system, or genetics. Many recently published scientific investigations have examined the possible connection between autism and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. At this time, though, the available data do not appear to support a causal link.
Studies of families and twins suggest a genetic basis for the disorder. It is important for scientists to find the genes responsible for autism, if any, because this knowledge would give physicians new tools to diagnose the disorder and help scientists develop gene-based therapies.
Some studies have found that the brains of people with autism may function differently from those that are considered "normal." Research suggests that an abnormal slowing down of brain development before birth may cause autism. Studies also are looking at how autism-related problems in brain development may affect behavior later in childhood. For example, some researchers are investigating the ways in which infants with autism process information and how the disorder may lead to poor development of social skills, knowledge, and awareness.
Chemicals in the brain also may play a role in autism. As a normal brain develops, the level of serotonin, a chemical found in the brain, declines. In some children with autism, however, serotonin levels do not decline. Researchers are investigating whether this happens only to children with autism or whether other factors are involved.
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What help is available for families?
Since brain development can be influenced during early childhood, the treatment of autism has a greater chance of success when initiated as early as possible. In addition, when children with autism are treated early, the cost of long-term care may be reduced. Services and treatments that may benefit children and adolescents with autism and their families include:
- Training in communication, social, learning, and self-help skills.
- Programs in which other children help to teach children with autism.
- Parent training.
- Medications to reduce symptoms related to self-injury, seizures, digestive difficulties, and attention problems.
When services are started soon after a child is diagnosed with autism, the child's language, social, and academic skills and abilities may be greatly improved. On the other hand, some children and adolescents do not respond well to treatment or may experience negative side effects from autism medications. Recent data suggest that some of the newer antipsychotic drugs may have fewer side effects than conventional drugs, but more studies are needed before experts can determine any possible safety advantages over traditional treatments.
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What can parents do?
Parents or other caregivers concerned about a child who shows symptoms of autism should:
- Talk with a health care provider about their concerns. He or she can help to determine whether the symptoms are caused by autism, a related disorder, or another condition. If necessary, the health care provider can refer the family to a mental health expert who specializes in treating persons with autism.
- Get accurate information from libraries, hotlines, or other sources.
- Ask questions about treatments and services.
- Talk to other families in their communities who are coping with autism.
- Find family network organizations.
People who are not satisfied with the mental health care they receive should discuss their concerns with the provider, ask for information, and/or seek help from other sources.
This is one of many fact sheets in a series on children's mental health disorders. All the fact sheets listed below are written in an easy-to-read style. Families, caretakers, and media professionals may find them helpful when researching particular mental health disorders. To obtain free copies, call 1-800-789-2647 or visit http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/child.
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Other Fact Sheets in this Series Are:
| Order Number |
Title |
| CA-0000 |
Caring for Every Child's Mental Health Campaign Products Catalog |
| CA-0004 |
Child and Adolescent Mental Health |
| CA-0005 |
Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Glossary of Terms |
| CA-0006 |
Children and Adolescents With Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders |
| CA-0007 |
Children and Adolescents With Anxiety Disorders |
| CA-0008 |
Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder |
| CA-0010 |
Children and Adolescents With Conduct Disorder |
| CA-0011 |
Children and Adolescents With Severe Depression |
| CA-0014 |
Facts About Systems of Care for Children's Mental Health |
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Important Messages About Children's and Adolescents' Mental Health:
- Every child's mental health is important.
- Many children have mental health problems.
- These problems are real and painful and can be severe.
- Mental health problems can be recognized and treated.
- Caring families and communities working together can help.
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Mental Health Resources on the Internet
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov, National Institutes of Health
http://clinicaltrials.gov/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov
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For information about children's mental health, contact SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center:
Toll-free: 800-789-2647
Fax: 240-747-5470
TDD: 866-889-2647
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Systems of Care
Some diagnosed cases of autism may be considered serious emotional disturbances. Systems of care for children's mental health offer children with serious emotional disturbances and their families a wide range of comprehensive and community-based services to help them reach their full potential. To learn more about systems of care, call 301-443-1333, or to request a free fact
sheet on systems of care, call 1-800-789-2647.
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Endnotes
National Institutes of Health. (2001). Fact Sheet: Unraveling Autism. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1999). Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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CA-0009
04/2003
CAFB-Stone
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