AUTISM
What is autism? It is a disability that lasts a life time. It appears in the child before the age of three. It is considered one of the most severe developmental disabilities to children, and it only affects around 15 out of 10, 000 children. Autism affects all areas of a child's development, and it occurs 4 times more often in boys than in girls.
What causes autism? Nobody really knows for sure, but researchers think that it affects the neurological development including, viral infections and chemical inbalances in the brain. Autism may also exist in other disabilities.
What are the characteristics of autism? The characteristics of autism are different to each person, but here is a general idea of what autistic person may be doing. In communication, they may delay or miss words, repeat words, and give poor use of gestures and facial expressions. In social interaction, they may not respond, they may be attached to a person or thing, or, just begin to yell and/or laugh for no reason. In the area of typical behaviour, they may have a preference to routine, be sensitive to sound or touch, do repetitive motion such as spinning, flapping, or rocking. And seem extremely distressed in normal situations.
The only way to help these people, is to support and encourage them. Don't let them quit and keep bringing something new to keep them interested.
by: Joanna
Quiz
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Created and last updated by Joanna on April 6, 00
Graphic created by E. James