Currently there are 26,000 children receiving care at childhood development centers in California for autistic children. In 1991, that number was a mere 5,000. In Missouri, the rate of autism diagnosis has grown over 800%. These are just two of the alarming statistics relating to autism increases being seen nationwide.

WHAT IS AUTISM?

The American Psychiatry Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) define autism as a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). Pervasive Developmental Disorders are behavior disorders that affect speech, communication, social interaction, and repetitive types of compulsive behaviors are present. Autism is a neurological disorder as well as a behavior disorder. As with any disorder, the affects Autism has on those with it vary. Typically, however, autistic children have little or not emotional involvement, poor or no speech skills, low IQs, ritualistic behavior, and some children are aggressive and can be violent and inflict damage on themselves and others. It is estimated that 70% of autistic children have an IQ of 70 or below.

This, however, could also be contributed to the testing used. It is argued that the IQ tests reflect the lack of language skills seen in autistic children and are not accurate.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS:

There is a classification of neurological and behavior diagnosis known as the Autism Spectrum. The APA and DSM-IV recognizes one category that falls under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and medical professionals have created an expanded category known as Other Autistic Spectrum Disorders. There are five disorders placed under the Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Some medical professionals have coined these five disorders as the "official five."

They are Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorders – Not Otherwise Specified (PPD- NOS), Rett's Syndrome, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Some professionals believe that Rett's Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder are conditions that should fall strictly under medical disorders and not behavioral disorders.

Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PPD-NOS are the most diagnosed disorders in this category. How these disorders relate to one another can be seen in the table below:

Autism

• Verbal and non-verbal language affected.
• Unusual behaviors and routine.
• Social skills affected
• Low to average IQ

Asperger Syndrome

• Good verbal skills, lack in other communication skills, restricted social interaction, sensory aversions, average to high IQ
• PDD- NOS
• Non-verbal and verbal skills do not meet the requirement of other PDD Disorders.
• Rett's Disorder
• Degenerative disorder of girls. Rare. Difficulty using motor skills. Mental retardation.
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
• Resembles autism, except children with CDD often have normal development from the ages of 2 -4.

Table 1 PDD Disorders

The professionally expanded category, Other Autistic Spectrum Disorders also has five disorders placed under its classification. These disorders are high-functioning autism, which for some has become synonymous with Asperger Syndrome, Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities, Semantic Pragmatic Communication Disorder, Hyperlexia, and ADHD. What all these disorders have in common, however, are problems with social interaction and communication skills. Although in some disorders language skills are not affected, other communications skills are.

• Semantic Pragmatic
• Comm. Disorder
• Delay and difficulty with language skills, little or no affect on socialization
• Non-Verbal Learning Disability
• Trouble with non-verbal communication, perception, and motor skill coordination
• High Functioning

Autism

Some medial professionals use this term in referring to Asperger Syndrome, Autism without delays in cognitive abilities

Hyperlexia

Ability to read above age level, difficulty understanding language and social interaction

ADHD

Inability to control impulses may lead to difficulties in peer interaction and socialization

Table 2 Other Autism Spectrum Disorders

ASPERGER SYNDROME

In plain language, Asperger Syndrome can be defined as autism without cognitive and language delay. In fact, individuals with Asperger Syndrome often have above average IQs and language skills. One interesting trait with Asperger Syndrome is the pre-occupation of certain topics. For example, one twelve year old recently observed was fascinated with dinosaurs. H e could name every species, their habitats, and the habits of each dinosaur.

His pre-occupation with dinosaurs bordered on obsession. Sometimes it is a particular skill that becomes a focus in the life of someone with Asperger Syndrome. One adult with Asperger Syndrome focused on poetry, often writing up to forty poems a day. A five year old with Asperger Syndrome had a focus on art, with skills that of someone double her age.

Like with autism, Asperger Syndrome carries difficulties with social interaction, unusual movements, sensitivity to certain stimuli like sound or light, and aversions to textures or taste.

Often, children with Asperger Syndrome can be found playing near or next to children, but not actually with children. They tend to be self-centered in conversation, not understanding non-verbal cues such as body language or facial expressions.

CONTROVERSY: VACCINATIONS AND AUTISM

Although Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders can be treated with a variety of different therapies or medications, it cannot be cured. Not yet, anyway. In order to one day find a cure, many professionals and parents are trying to find what causes autism and why the autism rates have increased so rapidly. One possible cause linked to autism is vaccinations. This fear, in fact, has caused some parents to opt for alternative vaccination schedules or opt out of vaccinating children completely.

The argument connecting vaccinations and autism begins with the MMR vaccination. The MMR vaccination is administered between 15 to 24 months of age. Parents have noticed that symptoms of Autism typically have begun during this age. Along with the vaccination schedule of the MMR shot, the preservative once used comes into question.

The preservative is called thiomersol and contains 49.6% mercury. Another concern in the autism – vaccination link is the number of vaccinations children receive before they reach the age of five. One professional noted that at one time, children received only 8 vaccinations and that number has increased to over twenty.

The scientific and medical communities are conflicted on their opinions dealing with the link of vaccinations and autism. It has been agreed upon; however, further research is needed to find a definitive answer.

AUTISM SYMPTOMS

Some symptoms of Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorders are:

• Disinterest in other children
• Difficulty interacting with other children
• Aversions to textures in foods or clothing
• Sensitivity to light, sounds, or touches
• Delays in speech
• Delays in fine and gross motor skills
• Difficulty understanding emotions
• Desire to play alone
• Need for rigid routine
• Often puts items in rows or separates items from categories
• Repetitive motions

In you believe that your child or loved one could possibly have one of the disorders in the Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Other Autism Spectrum Disorders contact your pediatrician.

For more information on Autism, visit http://www.autism-society.org