What are some of the symptoms of autism?

High-functioning autism (HFA) is a term applied to people with autism who are deemed to be cognitively “higher functioning” (with an IQ of 70 or greater) than other people with autism. HFA is not a recognized diagnosis in the DSM-5 or the ICD-10. The amount of overlap between HFA and Asperger syndrome is disputed.

Autism is a complex neurobehavioral condition that includes impairments in social interaction and developmental language and communication skills combined with rigid, repetitive behaviors. Children with autism have trouble communicating.

Researchers have found that mutations in a gene called UBE3A cause it to become hyperactive, leading to abnormal brain development and autism.

A newly published brain-tissue study suggests that children affected by autism have a surplus of synapses, or connections between brain cells. The excess is due to a slowdown in the normal pruning process that occurs during brain development, the researchers say.

Causes. The exact cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is currently unknown. It’s a complex condition and may occur as a result of genetic predisposition (a natural tendency), environmental or unknown factors.

Causes of ADHD. Because attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms—inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity—affect a child’s ability to learn and get along with others, some people think an ADHD child’s behavior is caused by a lack of discipline, a chaotic family life, or even too much TV.

Sporadic (non-inherited) cases have been examined to identify candidate genetic loci involved in autism. A substantial fraction of autism may be highly heritable but not inherited: that is, the mutation that causes the autism is not present in the parental genome.

Presently, we don’t have a medical test that can diagnose autism. Instead, specially trained physicians and psychologists administer autism-specific behavioral evaluations. We encourage parents to trust their instincts and find a doctor who will listen and refer their child to appropriate specialists for diagnosis.

ASD occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, but are almost five times more common among boys than among girls. CDC estimates that about 1 in 68 children (2014 CDC) has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is what most people think of when hearing the word “autism.”

Autism affects more than 1 in 100 people – fact. Over 700,000 people in UK are autistic, which means that 2.8m people have a relative on the autism spectrum. People tend to ‘grow out’ of autism in adulthood – myth. It’s a lifelong condition – autistic children become autistic adults.

Chronological history of autism. Eugen Bleuler coined the word “autism” in 1908 among severely withdrawn schizophrenic patients. In 1943 American child psychiatrist Leo Kanner studied 11 children.

Sensory processing disorder is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses.

ASD Level 2: “Requiring Substantial Support” Marked deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills; social impairments apparent even with supports in place; limited initiation of social interactions; and reduced or abnormal responses to social overtures from others.

Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, was the first person to use the term. He started using it around 1911 to refer to one group of symptoms related to schizophrenia. In the 1940s, researchers in the United States began to use “autism” to describe children with emotional or social problems.

Autism has its roots in early brain development. However, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 12 and 18 months of age. Some infants and toddlers begin develop normally until the second year of life, when they lose skills and develop autism – a pattern called “regression.”

These are some of the characteristics of ASD:

problems with social interaction with others.

unusual interest in objects.

need for sameness.

great variation in abilities.

under or over reaction to one or more of the five senses: sight, touch, taste, smell, or hearing.

repeated actions or body movements.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by social-interaction difficulties, communication challenges and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors.

Today, Autism Speaks is dedicated to advancing research into causes and better treatments for autism spectrum disorders and related conditions both through direct funding and collaboration; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorders; and working toward solutions for the needs of individuals

People with ASD often have symptoms or aspects of other conditions, such as:

a learning disability.

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Tourette’s syndrome or other tic disorders.

epilepsy.

dyspraxia.

obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

generalised anxiety disorder.

depression.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Asperger syndrome (AS) as one of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), which are a spectrum of psychological conditions that are characterized by abnormalities of social interaction and communication that pervade the individual’s