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Autism . Emily Hendrickson. What is Autism?. Developmental disability that develops within first 3 years of life Spectrum Disorder – people react differently to it Affects a person’s ability to communicate with others There is no one single cause Not contagious
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Autism Emily Hendrickson
What is Autism? • Developmental disability that develops within first 3 years of life • Spectrum Disorder – people react differently to it • Affects a person’s ability to communicate with others • There is no one single cause • Not contagious • “Sensory overload” – sounds seem louder, smells seem stronger, lights seem brighter
How Does Autism Affect an Individual? • 1.5 million Americans today may be affected with Autism. • Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder, meaning people who have it may have trouble with communication as well as social skills. • Other physical ailments - allergies, asthma, epilepsy, digestive disorders, viral infections, feeding disorders, sleeping disorders, and more. • Boys 4 times more likely to have autism, but girls’ symptoms are more severe
Causes/Diagnosis • No known single cause • Abnormalities in brain structure or function • Diagnosis based on clinical observations and standardized tests – no medical test for autism • Behaviors associated with autism can be shared with other conditions and disorders as well, so medical tests for the other conditions and disorders usually ordered too.
Who Can Get Autism? • Typically appears within first 3 years • 1 in 150 people • Can affect any family and any child • 4 times more prevalent in boys than girls
Treatments • With early treatment, many symptoms related to autism can be greatly improved • Many options for treatments: • Dietary intervention, vitamins and supplements, physical therapy, speech therapy, vision therapy, dog companions, and more
Current Research • Numerous theories being tested about how autism develops: • Clusters of unstable genes interfere with brain development • Problems during pregnancy • Viral infections • Exposure to environmental chemicals
Why is Autism so Important? • 1 in 150 people affected • Very treatable with the right tools • Clinical observations and standardized tests • People with autism have other physical ailments • Research – numerous theories being tested
Sources • http://repairstemcell.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/autism-ribbon2.jpg • http://www.debateitout.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/autism.jpg • http://www.healthscape.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/autism-bubble.jpg • http://www.lifedynamix.com/articles/files/iStockAutism.jpg • http://www.topnews.in/health/files/Autism.JPG • http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/gluten-free-autism-getty-71149208-l(1).jpg • http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/autistic_child.jpg • http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071102/071102_autism_hmed2p.hmedium.jpg • http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/05/10/autism_wideweb__470x230,0.jpg • http://www.helpyourautisticchildblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/autism-treatments.jpg • http://endowment.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/Research%20Scientist.jpg • http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Video/050223/c_autism_earlyintervention_050223.300w.jpg • www.autism-society.org • www.autismspeaks.org • http://www.autism.com/