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Autism, a developmental disability, is a chronic condition that typically appears during the first three years of life. Core symptoms include impaired social interaction, delayed language development and restricted patterns of behavior. They act different from other children, they do not talk or respond, do not develop speech normally and may seem deaf even though their hearing capacity is good. At least 1.5 million Americans have some form of autism, and it now affects one in every 166 births, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some children with this problem need to go to special schools where there are trained teachers to handle such children.

What Causes Autism?

Symptomps of Autism

1. Difficulty with verbal and non verbal communication.
2. Repetitive behavior,
3. Insistence on sameness, resist changes in routine.
4. Teenagers with autism show signs of deppression and anxiety.

Symptoms differ from child to child. In addition to core symptoms, children with autism frequently exhibit serious behavior disturbances in response to routine environmental demands. For these disturbances, behavior therapy and medications are the two main forms of treatment.

Tests That Are Recommended

1. Weight and height of the child.
2. Children with autism have larger or smaller head circumference measurements than normal children.
3. Routine tests of hearing and vision.
4. Reflex testing for undeveloped reflexes.

5. Treatment For Autism

   There is no paticular treatment for autism. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which include citalopram, prozac, zoloft can help in autism. These drugs are prescribed by health proffessionals and should be monitored closely for any side effects. A multi-site study sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) finds children with autism characterized by tantrums, aggression, and/or self-injury respond favorably to the antipsychotic medication risperidone for up to six months. Published in the July edition of the American Journal of Psychiatry, the study found the medication not only decreased aggression but also reduced repetitive behaviors and increased social interaction – all with limited side effects. The two-part study also found discontinuation after six months prompted rapid return of disruptive and aggressive behavior in most cases.

   Parental Support For The Child wITH Autism

   Many parents are not aware of this syndrome and once they find out it can be overwhelming for them. Caring for an autistic child can be a relentless and labor-intensive task ane a child with autism needs the support of the parents to overcome this disability.

   Adults with autism learn to deal with themselves without any support. Parents need to spend a lot of time with their child, where education and social skills are concerned. An Ohio state University report says, "Autistic people usually can't grasp the full meaning, or context, of a situation. This often leads to difficulties in social settings, as making inferences from what someone else says or thinks is extremely difficult for an autistic person." People with milder forms of autism often have IQs that are normal or above normal. But they still struggle in the real world. Understanding the kind of difficulties autistic people have with context may improve their treatment options.

   Many schools offer programmes all over the world for mothers and children so that the mothers learn to deal with such children.

   Diet for Autism

   Gluten and casein free diet is getting a lot of attention of autism community. Food with gluten like protein found in wheat, oats food starches, soya sauce and flavourings are not good for an autistic. Casein is a protein found in milk and products containing milk such as cheese, butter, yoghurt, ice-cream. Autistic children cannot properly digest gluten and casein. Let the child's pedriatician recommend the diet.

   Children with Autism can lead a normal life with the support of the family and the suitable educational facilities. Many underdeveloped countries are beginning to recognise this problem and are taking measures to deal with it.

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