Autism:

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction, and communication,
and by restricted and repetitive behaviour. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how
nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize. Its one of the three recognized disorders in the autism
spectrum (ASDs) the other two being Asperger syndrome, pervasive development disorder, not otherwise
specified, commonly abbreviated as PDD-NOS
Signs and Symptoms
Signs of autism may appear during infancy and the disorder is usually diagnosed by the age of three. Sometimes
the childs development appears normal until about two years old and then regresses rapidly .Symptoms of
Autism occur in various combinations from mild to severe. Infants with the disorder often display abnormal
reaction to sensory stimuli (i.e. senses may be over-or underactive).Touches may be experienced as painful,
smell may be overwhelmingly unpleasant, and ordinary daily noises may be painful.
Loud noises (e.g. motorcycles going by, vacuum cleaner) and bright light may cause inconsolable crying.
Other signs of the disorder in infants include the following:
Appears indifferent to surrounding
Appears content to be alone, happier to play alone.
Displays lack of interest in toys.
Displays lack of response to others.
Does not point out objects of interest to others (called protodeclarative pointing)
Marked reduction or increase in activity level
Resists cuddling.
Young children with autism usually have impaired language development. They have difficulty expressing
needs (i.e use gestures instead of words) and may laugh, cry or show distress for unknown reasons. Some
children develop rudimentary language skills that do not serve as an effective form of communication.
Autistic children do not express interest in other people .They may resist changes in their routine, repeat
actions (e.g. turn in circles, flap their arms) over and over .
Symptoms in young children include the following:
Avoid cuddling or touching.
Frequent behavioral outburst, tantrums.
Inappropriate attachments to objects .
Maintains little or no eye contact
Over or under sensitivity to pain, no fear of danger.
Sustained abnormal play.
Uneven motor skills.
Unresponsiveness to normal teaching methods and verbal clues(may appear to be deaf despite of
normal hearing)