Autism NANAIMO
Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.
Definition
Autism Spectrum
Autism (sometimes called "classical autism") is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.
Online Autism Booklets
Living & Working with
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in British
Columbia
A Manual for Parents & Community Professionals
Ministry of Children & Family
Development's
A
Parent's Handbook: Your Guide to Autism Programs
What are some common signs of autism?
There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize autism. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling. The hallmark feature of autism is impaired social interaction. Parents are usually the first to notice symptoms of autism in their child. As early as infancy, a baby with autism may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time. A child with autism may appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement.
What's News
Gene
Variant Allies Autism, Gastrointestinal Woes
It's associated with both brain development and GI system functions,
study finds.
Magnetic
fields test 'reflexes' of autism
Help for new parents.
. Advice
for Parents
. Autism
is Treatable!
. First Steps
. What
I Would Do...
. Diagnostic
Checklist
. Suggested
Books
Other Factors
Children with autism appear to have a higher than normal risk for certain co-existing conditions, including fragile X syndrome (which causes mental retardation), tuberous sclerosis (in which tumors grow on the brain), epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder. For reasons that are still unclear, about 20 to 30 percent of children with autism develop epilepsy by the time they reach adulthood.
