Holly Cook
What is autism?
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. It is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills, according to the Autism Society of America.
Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.
Autism is one of five disorders that fall under the umbrella of pervasive developmental disorders, a category of neurological disorders characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.
How common is autism?
Autism is the most common of the pervasive developmental disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 150 births, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.
Although the overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls.
How is autism diagnosed?
There are no medical tests for diagnosing autism. An accurate diagnosis must be based on observation of the individual’s communication, behavior and developmental levels.
At first glance, some persons with autism may appear to have mental retardation, a behavior disorder or problems with hearing.
What causes autism?
There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is rooted by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in children with autism versus neurotypical children, according to the Autism Society of America.
While no one gene has been identified as causing autism, researchers are searching for irregular segments of genetic code that children with autism might have inherited. It also appears that some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a single “trigger” that causes autism to develop.
Some recent studies have suggested an association between autism and thimerosal, a preservative in some vaccines and pharmaceutical products, although many in the medical community dispute the association.
In recent years, some have advanced the idea that autism is not so much a disability as it is a vague vehicle for seeing the world in a less homogenized way — turning “the gift of autism” into a popular Internet catch phrase.
Autism in history
Famous people believed to have had autistic traits
Albert Einstein
Leonardo Da Vinci
Thomas Jefferson
John Lennon
Ludwig van Beethoven
Bob Dylan
Andy Warhol
Darryl Hannah
Woody Allen
Jane Austen
Alexander Graham Bell
Thomas Edison
Henry Ford
Carl Jung
Mark Twain
John Denver
Bill Gates
Al Gore
James Taylor
Famous people believed to have had autistic traits
Albert Einstein
Leonardo Da Vinci
Thomas Jefferson
John Lennon
Ludwig van Beethoven
Bob Dylan
Andy Warhol
Darryl Hannah
Woody Allen
Jane Austen
Alexander Graham Bell
Thomas Edison
Henry Ford
Carl Jung
Mark Twain
John Denver
Bill Gates
Al Gore
James Taylor