Autism spectrum disorder, ASD

What is autism spectrum disorder?

It's a catch all for the wide variation of symptoms among children with autism. Early diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder is important because detection leads to treatment and with early treatment, a child can benefit by improved language and social skills.

The five forms of ASD are:

1. Classical autism
2. Asperger syndrome
3. Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), sometimes called atypical autism
4. Rett syndrome
5. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Defining characteristics of autism spectrum disorders are social communication and interaction impairments along with restricted and repetitive activities and interests. Individual patterns of autism prevail. Examples might be spending hours lining up the same toys; loss of social or language skills; delayed development from birth; processing sensory information -- sound, touch and vision differently than typically developing children.

What causes autism spectrum disorder?

Most medical experts will not agree to disagree as to what causes ASD.

A study followed 632 children from womb to birth and into childhood between 2000 and 2006. Nearly half the children were exposed to various epilepsy drugs in the womb, while the other half were not. Statistically, researchers estimated that children who were exposed to the drug sodium valproate (Depakote) were seven times more likely to later develop autism than the children who were not exposed to any epilepsy drug.

Another controversial topic regarding the cause of autism is vaccines. Is there a link between the MMR (mumps-measles-rubella) vaccine and autism? Is there a link between the mercury-based vaccine preservative thimerosal?

Some researchers ascertain that autism has a genetic basis. Studies have shown that parents from families with autistic members are more likely to have autistic children, and families with one autistic child have an increased risk of having more than one autistic child.

There is some evidence that allergies to gluten and dairy may contribute to autistic symptoms.

The above is by no means the only theories or causes for autism spectrum disorder.

What is the treatment for ASD?

There is no cookie cutter solution as treatment is tailored to each child's needs. Treatment might include sustained special education and behavioral therapy as well as life lessons for self-care and social and job skills. The goal of treatment is to minimize deficits and family distress and increase functional independence.