AUTISM  [ back to Glossary Index ]
Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain, which generally shows up in toddlers between age 18 months and 3 years. It is characterized by varying degrees of mutism, profound lack of social responsiveness to others, uncoordinated movement, ritualistic behaviors such as arm flapping and an   extreme dislike of any changes in routines. It is frequently mistaken for other conditions and not diagnosed until the child is age 5-6. Early intervention with behavioral treatments have shown some degree of success in stopping the progression of the disorder. The old theory that autism resulted from emotionally "cold" parenting has been exposed as pure fiction. Scientific studies have found physical abnormalities in the structure and function of the brains of autistic children. These include brains which are larger and heavier than normal, with thickening of frontal lobe tissue, and a much higher number of smaller, more immature brain cells in the limbic region with fewer, stunted connections. EEG and ERP studies show that cortical arousal in autistic children in response to environmental stimuli is much more intense and erratic than in normal children. The families of autistic children have done a model job of organizing and advocating the cause of more humane care, greater effort at social integration of autistic and non-autistic children in public schools and increased medical research expenditures by the federal government.