Autism

NINDS Autism Information Page

Autism
Source: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

What is Autism?

Autism is classified as one of the pervasive developmental disorders of the brain. It is not a disease. People with classical autism show three types of symptoms: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual or severely limited activities and interests. These symptoms can vary in severity. In addition, people with autism often have abnormal responses to sounds, touch, or other sensory stimulation. Symptoms usually appear during the first three years of childhood and continue through life. Recent studies strongly suggest that some people have a genetic predisposition to autism. Researchers are looking for clues about which genes contribute to this increased susceptibility. In some children, environmental factors also may play a role. Studies of people with autism have found abnormalities in several regions of the brain which suggest that autism results from a disruption of early fetal brain development. Autism affects an estimated 10 to 20 of every 10,000 people, depending on diagnostic criteria used, and strikes males about four times more often than females.

Is there any treatment?

There is currently no cure for autism, but appropriate treatment may foster relatively normal development and reduce undesirable behaviors. Educational/behavioral therapies and drug interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms. Educational/behavioral therapies emphasize highly structured and often intensive skill-oriented training. Doctors also may prescribe a variety of drugs to reduce symptoms of autism Other interventions are available, but few, if any, scientific studies support their use.

What is the prognosis?

People with autism have normal life expectancies. Symptoms in many children improve with intervention or as the children age. Some people with autism eventually lead normal or near-normal lives. Adolescence can worsen behavior problems in some children, and parents should be ready to adjust treatment for the child’s changing needs. About a third of children with autistic spectrum disorders eventually develop epilepsy. The risk is highest in children with severe cognitive impairment and motor deficits.

What research is being done?

NINDS (the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) supports studies aimed at identifying the underlying brain abnormalities of autism through new methods of brain imaging and other innovative techniques, and at identifying genes that increase the risk of autism. Researchers also are investigating possible biologic markers present at birth that can identify infants at risk for the development of autism. Other studies are examining how different brain regions develop and function in relation to each other, and how alterations in these relationships may result in the signs and symptoms of autism. Researchers hope these studies will provide new clues about how autism develops and how brain abnormalities affect behavior.

Organizations

Autism Research Institute (ARI)

4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego CA 92116
www.autism.com/ari
Tel: 619-281-7165
Fax: 619-563-6840

Autism Society of America

7910 Woodmont Ave.
Suite 300
Bethesda MD 20814-3015
www.autism-society.org
Tel: 301-657-0881 800-3AUTISM (328-8476)
Fax: 301-657-0869

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

P.O. Box 8923
(100 Route 37)
New Fairfield CT 06812-8923
orphan@rarediseases.org
www.rarediseases.org
Tel: 203-746-6518 800-999-NORD (-6673)
Fax: 203-746-6481

NICHD/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

NIH
Bldg. 31, Rm. 2A32
Bethesda MD 20892-2425
NICHDdClearinghouse@mail.nih.gov
www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 301-496-5133

NIMH/National Institute of Mental Health

NIH
6001 Executive Blvd. Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
www.nimh.nih.gov/
Tel: 301-443-4513 Depression Info: 800-421-4211

Related NINDS Publications

Autism Fact Sheet
Autism fact sheet developed by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Autismo
Informacion en espanol del Autismo/Spanish-language fact sheet on autism compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) information sheet compiled by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Asperger Syndrome
Asperger Syndrome information sheet compiled by NINDS.

This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.

Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892