According to the data gathered by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism is estimated to affect 1 for every 166 births. It is believed that about 1.5 million Americans are suffering from some form of Autism. It is the fastest-growing developmental disability that has a 10-17% annual growth.
In 1999, the US Department of Education had reported that there was a 172% increase in the prevalence of disability due to autism. Based on the study conducted by The Autism Society of America, the annual cost needed for the services related to autism will be $200-400 billion in 10 years as the number of people with the disorder reaches 4 million in the next decade.
Autism can appear to any race, social background, class, gender, and to any child. It is four times more prevalent in males than in females.
What is Autism?
Autism is a cognitive disorder that affects the developmental or learning ability of an individual. The manifestations of the disorder usually appear as early as the first three years of life. As a result of the neurological disorder, it disrupts the normal functioning of the brain affecting the development of the communication skills and social interaction skills of the person. Difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, leisure activities, and social interaction are seen in both children and adults with the disorder. One should take note, however, that there are varying degrees of autism for different individuals. For this reason, an early diagnosis is highly recommended. This is crucial so that the child can immediately benefit from the available specialized programs catering to the care of someone with autism.
What are the characteristics of a person with autism?
People with autism are also individuals. Like any other individual, a person with autism has distinct characteristics. Some may respond mildly to an external stimulus, while others may become more aggressive. Some may have the initiative to make a conversation; meanwhile, others totally lack the ability to have one.
Here are some of the traits that you may find in someone who has autism:
They resist change.
They have difficulty expressing their needs either verbally or non-verbally.
They repeat words or phrases.
They laughing or cry for no reason at all.
They seem aloof and prefer to be alone.
They have tantrums.
They have difficulty in interacting with others.
They have little or no eye contact.
They are unresponsive to a typical teaching method.
They want sustained odd play
They keep on spinning objects
They are obsessively attached to objects
They have a low threshold for pain.
They don’t manifest fears or suspect danger.
They are passive.
They are non-responsive to verbal and act as deaf in a conversational voice.
How can autism be diagnosed?
There are no laboratory diagnostic tests known for autism. There are only diagnostic tools and screening tests available but this is done by consulting a trained specialist on the disorder. It is diagnosed through careful observation done for a series of occasions in a given period of time. Studies have shown that early diagnosis gives a great benefit since it allows for early intervention and treatment that will enable the child to learn vital skills, especially in communication.
Autism is a disabling condition that needs understanding. By understanding the disorder, the barriers that hinder many people from doing something about the problem will gradually dissolve. Thus, more people afflicted with it will be given the appropriate care they need.
