Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism
I INTRODUCTION
Autism, disorder that severely impairs development of a person’s ability to communicate, interact with other people, and maintain normal contact with the outside world. The disorder was first described in 1943 by American psychiatrist Leo Kanner. One of the most common developmental disabilities, autism affects 2 to 5 out of every 10,000 children and appears before the age of three. It is four to five times more common in males than in females.
II CHARACTERISTICS
Autism is often referred to as a spectrum disorder—that is, a disorder in which symptoms can occur in any combination and with varying degrees of severity. Symptoms of autism usually begin during infancy. Autistic infants may stiffen or go limp when picked …show more content…
Many show great variability in their skill levels across different aspects of intelligence tests, characteristically scoring higher on tests of visual-spatial skills and rote memory than on tests of verbal skills and social understanding. Some experts argue that standard intelligence tests are inappropriate measures of an autistic person's intellectual abilities. These experts note that some symptoms of autism—such as speech and language problems, difficulty paying attention, and behavioral problems—may interfere with an autistic child's performance on standard intelligence tests.
Children and adults with autism who score in the average or high range on intelligence tests are considered to have high-functioning autism. About 10 percent of autistic individuals have extraordinary talents such as the ability to memorize long lists of information, the ability to make lightning-fast mathematical calculations, or precocious musical or artistic abilities. Experts call such individuals autistic savants. Savants may score above or below average on standard intelligence …show more content…
Some individuals with autism benefit from drugs that increase levels of serotonin, a brain chemical. These medications, which include fenfluramine (Pondimin), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and clomipramine (Anafranil), may reduce compulsive behavior and body movements. Other drugs that improve symptoms in some patients include naltrexone (ReVia), which blocks the action of natural opiate-like compounds in the brain, and haloperidol (Haldol), which interferes with the function of the neurotransmitter
I INTRODUCTION
Autism, disorder that severely impairs development of a person’s ability to communicate, interact with other people, and maintain normal contact with the outside world. The disorder was first described in 1943 by American psychiatrist Leo Kanner. One of the most common developmental disabilities, autism affects 2 to 5 out of every 10,000 children and appears before the age of three. It is four to five times more common in males than in females.
II CHARACTERISTICS
Autism is often referred to as a spectrum disorder—that is, a disorder in which symptoms can occur in any combination and with varying degrees of severity. Symptoms of autism usually begin during infancy. Autistic infants may stiffen or go limp when picked …show more content…
Many show great variability in their skill levels across different aspects of intelligence tests, characteristically scoring higher on tests of visual-spatial skills and rote memory than on tests of verbal skills and social understanding. Some experts argue that standard intelligence tests are inappropriate measures of an autistic person's intellectual abilities. These experts note that some symptoms of autism—such as speech and language problems, difficulty paying attention, and behavioral problems—may interfere with an autistic child's performance on standard intelligence tests.
Children and adults with autism who score in the average or high range on intelligence tests are considered to have high-functioning autism. About 10 percent of autistic individuals have extraordinary talents such as the ability to memorize long lists of information, the ability to make lightning-fast mathematical calculations, or precocious musical or artistic abilities. Experts call such individuals autistic savants. Savants may score above or below average on standard intelligence …show more content…
Some individuals with autism benefit from drugs that increase levels of serotonin, a brain chemical. These medications, which include fenfluramine (Pondimin), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and clomipramine (Anafranil), may reduce compulsive behavior and body movements. Other drugs that improve symptoms in some patients include naltrexone (ReVia), which blocks the action of natural opiate-like compounds in the brain, and haloperidol (Haldol), which interferes with the function of the neurotransmitter