April 18, 2011 | Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder of development that lasts a lifetime. It is sometimes called a developmental disability because it usually starts before age three, in the developmental period, and because it causes delays or problems in many different skills that arise from infancy to adulthood. It is estimated that 1 in 110 children in the U.S. have some form of autism, also known as autism spectrum disorders. These disorders are seen in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups but are four to five times more likely to occur in boys than girls. Although we know a lot about autism, there remains a lot to be discovered, one of the reasons for the upcoming conference May 19th through the 21st in Little Rock. Team Up 2011, sponsored in part by the UAMS College of Medicine, will provide information on the issues that impact the daily functions of a child with autism as well as offer practical solutions for these issues. For more information, call 501-364-1248.

April 18, 2011 | Children with autism generally have problems in three crucial areas of development, social interaction, language and behavior. But because autism symptoms vary greatly, two children with the same diagnosis may act quite differently and have strikingly different skills. In most cases, though, severe autism is marked by a complete inability to communicate or interact with other people. The symptoms of autism can usually be observed by 18 months of age. A child with autism typically fails to respond to his or her name, has poor eye contact and resists cuddling and holding. They usually start talking after the age of 2 and may speak with an abnormal tone or rhythm. Children with autism tend to perform repetitive movements, such as rocking and spinning, and may be unusually sensitive to light, sound and touch. A small number of children with autism are “autistic savants” and have exceptional skills in a specific area, such as art, math or music.

April 18, 2011 | One of the greatest controversies in autism revolves around a supposed link between autism and certain childhood vaccines, particularly the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. No reliable study has shown a link between autism and the MMR vaccination. A British study published in 1998 that linked autism to childhood vaccines was retracted earlier this year as a result of fraudulent research. There is no single, known cause for autism. Given the complexity of the disease, the range of autistic disorders and the fact that no two children with autism are alike, there are likely to be many causes, including genetics. Some genes may make a child more susceptible to the disorder while others may determine the severity of symptoms. Each problem in genes may account for a small number of cases, but taken together, their influence may be substantial. Researchers are also exploring whether viral infections and air pollutants play a role in triggering autism.

April 18, 2011 | Diagnosing a child with autism is difficult and requires repeated testing and a formal evaluation by a trained specialist. Unfortunately, there isn’t a specific medical test to pinpoint the disorder. UAMS psychologist Jason LaGory says that before a child can be diagnosed with autism, they must meet certain criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association used by clinicians to determine mental conditions and by insurance companies to determine reimbursement policies. This includes having difficulty with non-verbal behaviors like making eye contact, problems making friends with peers and an apparent disregard for others’ feelings. Other symptoms may include problems starting a conversation or keeping one going, an abnormal interest in certain objects or topics and a fascination with parts of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car.

April 18, 2011 | Unfortunately, for the millions in this country dealing with a child who has autism, there is no cure for the condition. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. Many programs have been developed to address the range of difficulties associated with autism, with some focusing on reducing problem behaviors and teaching new skills. Other programs focus on teaching children how to act in social situations or how to communicate better with other people. Though children don’t outgrow autism, they may learn to function well with the disorder. And most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.