| Autism is the most common neurological disorder | | | | severe and pervasive impairment that can be found |
| affecting children; and also is one of the most | | | | in some interaction or restrictive activities and |
| common developmental disabilities affecting American | | | | interests. |
| and Canadian Children. ASD changes the way the | | | | 5. Asperger Disorder - also called Asperger's |
| brain processes information which affects all areas of | | | | Syndrome, and Asperger Syndrome, AS |
| a person's development. | | | | This is a common disorder and is diagnosed 5 in |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological disorder | | | | 10,000. This condition can have mild to severe |
| resulting in developmental disability; this affects a | | | | impairments along with social understanding, |
| person's communication, social understanding and | | | | interactions, repetitive, restricted interests and |
| behaviour including interests and activities. Autism | | | | activities Cognitive and language development is not |
| usually appears around the first three years of a | | | | delayed; however there are deficits in |
| child's life and boys are more prone to autism than | | | | communications. |
| girls. | | | | Early Signs of Autism: (12 to 24 Months) - children |
| No one person with ASD behaves or responds | | | | may demonstrate only a few of these symptoms - |
| exactly the same way as others with the same | | | | - May appear deaf because they respond unevenly |
| diagnosis, each individual is quite unique. There are | | | | or not at all to sounds |
| actually five different Autism Spectrum Disorders | | | | - " Failure to Bond" (i.e. child is indifferent to parents' |
| described under a diagnostic category, Pervasive | | | | presence) |
| Developmental Disorders [PDD]. | | | | - Does not Point and Look |
| 1. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder[CDD]: | | | | - Chronic gastrointestinal problems |
| This is a rare condition that affects 0.2 in 10,000, | | | | - Self restricted/selected diet |
| symptoms are significant losses in social behaviour, | | | | - Repeated infections |
| language, and play. These symptoms usually appear | | | | - Reaction to vaccines |
| after at least three years of normal developmental | | | | - Difficulty consoling during transitions (tantrums) |
| period. This disorder results in severe defects in | | | | - Often begins to develop language then loses it or |
| cognitive ability. | | | | doesn't acquire language. |
| 2. Rett Syndrome: | | | | - Difficulty sleeping / wakes at night. |
| This too is a rare condition that affects 1 in 10,000 | | | | - Limited imaginative play |
| and affects girls inclusively. Again significant regression | | | | - Not interested in playing with other children |
| after a period of normal development. Severe | | | | Many paediatricians and other physicians are not |
| impaired language and psychotic motor skills and | | | | experienced in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| difficulty cognitive ability. | | | | (ASD) and the physicians fear making the diagnosis |
| 3. Autistic Disorder [AD]: | | | | because they were trained to believe that ASD is |
| This condition is diagnosed more often and affects | | | | incurable. Do not accept your doctor's advice if he or |
| 20 in 10,000 cognitive impairments, deficits in | | | | she proposes a "wait and see" approach or promises |
| non-verbal and verbal communications and social | | | | that your child will "catch up". If your child has normal |
| understanding, unusual behaviour and restrictive | | | | development and then regresses, you should seek |
| activities. | | | | help immediately. As a child's brain develops it is pliable |
| 4. Pervasive Developmental Disorder - not already | | | | and there is a window of opportunity for recovery |
| specified [PDD.NOS]: | | | | at a young age that however does diminishes as the |
| This condition is often used in 15 in 10,000 diagnosed; | | | | child gets older. |
| this is also named a typical Autism. This condition is | | | | |