Autism is said to be on the increase in the United States of America; a new study in December 2015 by the George Washington University, Washington D.C. has shown that between 2003 and 2011, the incidence of Autism increased by about 43 percent with 12 children affected out of every 100 between the ages of 5 and 17 years. Autism is a form Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Autism also called Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a poorly understood disease but the prevalence has been on the increase in the last couple of years. This could be due to greater awareness and may be better diagnosis. ASD is preferably used these in the place of autism because the condition covers a wide range of disorders which vary from mild to severe. These disorders are pervasive developmental disorders which affect all aspects of the child’s everyday life.
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder characterized by social and communication deficits and repetitive behaviours. The child is unable or finds it difficult to communicate any language, always keeps to himself and plays with himself via repetitive movements.
Autism is caused by a genetic abnormality, a child is born with the condition. About a hundred genes have been discovered to have a hand in autism. A handful of risk factors have also been found to be associated with autism, they contribute but do not on their own cause autism. These risk factors include very low birth weight, preterm birth, older parental age, and exposure to some toxins during pregnancy,