| Autism is one condition that requires speech therapy | | | | otherwise specified is also related to Autism. These |
| treatment. However, autism is often misunderstood | | | | are children that present symptoms similar to but |
| and thought of to be something that can be left | | | | don't quite match the other conditions. |
| untreated. However, that should not be how things | | | | What Causes Autism |
| work. Autism presents a lot of problems, but the | | | | Even though a lot of research has been done, there |
| intensity of these problems could be decreased if | | | | is no identified single factor that causes Autism. |
| given the correct treatment. | | | | Several factors are said to play a part in the |
| A lot of terms are commonly heard in relation to | | | | occurrence of Autism. One of these is brain disorder. |
| autism, such as: classic autism, infantile autism, | | | | Recent studies show that there is a difference in the |
| Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Atypical | | | | brains of people with Autism. Their cerebellum seems |
| PDD, Autistic like, PDD-NOS, Asperger's Syndrome | | | | to be smaller than normal, and their limbic system is |
| and high functioning Autistic. | | | | impaired. |
| What Is Autism | | | | Chemical imbalances are also said to play a part here. |
| Basically, Autism is a neurological disorder. It is | | | | It was found that in some cases, symptoms came |
| classified to be a Pervasive Developmental Disorder. | | | | from food allergies, chemical deficiencies, hormonal |
| The main characteristic of Autism is that it affects | | | | imbalances or elevated brain chemical levels. |
| three major areas in relation to speech and language. | | | | Heredity is also an important factor. A lot of genetic |
| This triad is the impairment of the child's: social | | | | disorders have Autism as a symptom. An example |
| interaction, communication and imaginative play. | | | | would be the fragile-X syndrome. Other factors |
| Pervasive Developmental Disorder is actually an | | | | include pre-, peri-, post-natal trauma, brain damage |
| umbrella term for Autistic Spectrum Disorders. With | | | | complications and MMR immunization. |
| the use of the term pervasive, it is emphasized that | | | | Whatever the cause may be, the child with Autism |
| the disability's range of deficits is beyond | | | | should be given the same structured training in able |
| psychological development. On the other hand, the | | | | to stimulate his learning, language and social skills. |
| term developmental puts emphasis that the | | | | Diagnosis |
| occurrence of the condition is during the child's | | | | For a child to be diagnosed of having Autism, he |
| development rather than later in life. | | | | should first qualify for the Diagnostic Criteria for |
| Autism is actually only one condition under this | | | | Autistic Disorders according to the DSM-IV. |
| umbrella. Other conditions include Rett's Disorder, | | | | Treatment |
| which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins to | | | | Due to the triad of Autism effects on the child, |
| show its symptoms during early childhood or infancy. | | | | speech therapy becomes a vital part of Autism |
| Another is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder; it | | | | management. However, other members of the team |
| somewhat resembles Autism but the difference is | | | | are also needed such as pediatrician, pediatric |
| the first two to four years of the child's life is rather | | | | neurologist, child psychiatrist, psychologist, |
| normal, then the symptoms start to show. | | | | occupational therapist, behavior therapist, and |
| Asperger's syndrome is also in this umbrella. It is | | | | educators like schoolteachers or Special Education |
| sometimes called high functioning autism. Lastly, | | | | teachers. |
| PDD-NOS or Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not | | | | |