Autism is a developmental disorder. It is not a kind of mental retardation, although many cases of Autism show an IQ below average. Nowadays the word Autism may be related to several syndromes. The symptoms vary widely, what explains why the Austim is currently referred to as a spectrum disorder. The Austim occurs in different forms, going from the highest to the lowest commitment, and inside these classes the disorder, that can be diagnosed as Autism, may also receive several other names concomitantly.

Important: This is provided for information purposes only. An accurate diagnosis is the important first step in addressing any needs; such a diagnosis can only be performed by a qualified professional who's familiar with the individual's history.  

A.  A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3).  

1.  Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following: 

    a.  marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviours such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures, to regulate social interaction.  

    b.  failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level.  

    c.  a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests or achievements with other people eg: by a lack of showing, bringing or pointing out objects of interest.   

    d.  lack of social or emotional reciprocity.  

2.  Qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:  

    a.  delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime.   

    b.  in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others.  

    c.  lack of varied, spontaneous, make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level.  

3.  Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:  

    a.  encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus.  

    b.  apparently inflexible adherence to specific nonfunctional routines or rituals.  

    c.  stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms eg: hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements.   

persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.  

B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:   

   1.  social interaction. 
   2.  language as used in social communication.   
   3.  symbolic or imaginative play.  

C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. 

Incidence 

As we could expect, the rates of incidence issued by the authorities in this matter vary, since each one assumes one different definition to the term 'autism', that corresponds to a different set of diagnostic criteria and, consequently, with certain embracing. There are studies that suppose a higher embracing of the term, which could start including people that who do not have the diagnostic today. However, the most accepted and published rates of incidence vary within a range of 5 to 15 cases in 10.000 individuals. 
Nevertheless, independently of diagnostic criteria, it is assured that the syndrome reaches mainly male individuals, in a proportion of 4 autistic males to 1 female with the syndrome. 

Is there a cure? 

We can't say that there is a cure for the Autism. The Autistic may be treated and develop his/her abilities in a more intensive manner than a nondiagnosed people and then resemble very much to that people in some aspects of his/her behavior, but he/she will always have difficulty in the areas characteristically damaged by the syndrome like communication, social interaction, etc. According to the impairment level, the Autistic's possibilities to develop verbal communication, social integration, literacy and other skills will depend on the intensity and adequacy of the treatment. But it is intrinsic to him/her Autistic's condition that he/she has more difficulties in these areas than a "normal" people. However, it is not an impossible thing to surpass the barrier that isolates the Autistic from "our world". Although the Autistic has his/her difficulties, depending on the impairment level, he/she can learn the "common" behavior standards, exercise his/her citizenship, acquire knowledge and integrate himself/herself to the society in a satisfactory way. This is exactly the work developed by the AMA.

This Article has been submitted by the Jeremy's Prophecy Dot Com team for informational and educational purposes. Jeremy's Prophecy Dot Com is a website dedicated to telling the story of Jeremy Jacobs, a character in the novel, Jeremy's Prophecy Dot Com.