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Autism is a disorder of behavior. Like many other similar disorders, it takes careful and repeated observation to diagnose autism. There is no simple blood test or x-ray that will reveal it. Autism is a neurobehavioral disorder that seems to affect males more often than females. In the early part of childhood, small differences begin to arise. It may be an obvious inability to communicate despite having speech, vision and hearing capabilities. Repetitive movements such as head rocking may be present which occur over and over again. There appears to be a failure to develop optimal language and social skills.
It is possible to look for earlier signs of autism in infancy, such as the lack of babbling and failure to produce words and word groups. Most practitioners will refrain from making a premature diagnosis since it serves little to aid treatment. The pre-school age tends to reveal more atypical features that help diagnosis. These may include abnormal eye movements and failure to make eye contact when communicating, or failing to respond to their name when addressed directly. Autistic children seem to have no interest in playing with other children and may ignore major commotions in their vicinity. These children also tend not to use body postures or hand gestures to communicate such as head nodding or pointing when they desire something.
Autism may exist in varying degrees from mild to severe. About 1 in 1000 or more children is affected. There is no cure since no one has convincingly proven that any type of structural abnormality exists. These kids do not have impaired intelligence. By making a diagnosis before they enter the school system, most can reach some level of acceptable functioning. Drugs play only a minor role in some cases. More importantly, autistic youngsters may require assistance from a whole team of differing professionals such as psychiatrists, audiologists, speech-pathologists and psychologists. Diagnosis merely starts with a suspicion.
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