What Are the Causes & Symptoms of Autism?

Autism is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that leads to a variety of symptoms. Often enigmatic and misunderstood, autism is known to be a disorder centered around abnormalities in the brain, in either its operation or structures. It has been proven to have genetic links. Some scientists are exploring environmental aspects--and exposure to toxins or infection--as possible causes for autism as well.

What Is Autism?

• Autism is a disorder that carries a 4-to-1 male to female ratio, which affects neurological and social development that necessitates early intervention. Other names for autism include pervasive development disorder, Kanner's Syndrome and early infantile autism.

Signs Of Autism

• Autism signs are varied, but lack of social reciprocity and failure to make eye contact are critical ones among infants and children. Lack of attachment, failure to cuddle, and severe speech and language disorders are also considered additional critical factors.

Other Signs of Autism

• Other signs include obsession with objects, obsessive compulsive tendencies, and co-morbidities that can include tics and a resistance to change. There's often hyper-sensitivity to light and sound--and an adherence to rigid routines.

Children And Adults

• Focus is certainly needed on children due to the extensive early educational intervention that is required. However, it is important to accept that autism continues into adulthood.

The Autism Spectrum

• Autism is considered a spectrum disorder; it can go from very severe to very mild. Some autism sufferers have low IQs and severe developmental delays, while those with less severe forms actually show gifts and higher IQs.

Unusual Theories For Autism

• There is a rare form of autism that children can get from staph infections, known as Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. One old theory--lack of warmth from "refrigerator mothers"--has since been discredited.