AUTISM

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. It is one of three recognized disorders in the autism spectrum (ASDs), the other two being Asperger syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (commonly abbreviated as PDD-NOS), which is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome are not met.

Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by rare mutations, or by rare combinations of common genetic variants. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Controversies surround other proposed environmental causes, such as heavy metals,pesticides or childhood vaccines; the vaccine hypotheses are biologically implausible and lack convincing scientific evidence. The prevalence of autism is about 1–2 per 1,000 people; the prevalence of ASD is about 6 per 1,000, with about four times as many males as females. The number of people diagnosed with autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved.

Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. The signs usually develop gradually, but some autistic children first develop more normally and then regress. Although early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help autistic children gain self-care, social, and communication skills, there is no known cure.  Not many children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, though some become successful. An autistic culturehas developed, with some individuals seeking a cure and others believing autism should be accepted as a difference and not treated as a disorder

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Young Science Prodigies Buck Greying Trend In Breakthroughs

In the past few decades, scientific breakthroughs are increasingly coming from older scientists. But young people still make astounding discoveries, and some institutions, including science fairs and the U.S. government, aim to encourage budding researchers to keep at it.
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Small Babies At Higher Risk Of Autism, Not Asperger

After accounting for the mother's age, smoking, number of previous births and other factors, researchers found an increased risk of autism, but not Asperger syndrome, in preemies and babies that were very small at birth.
Occupational therapy for kids who are over- or under-sensitive to sound, touch or other senses could help improve their symptoms -- but parents and doctors should be careful not to miss an underlying disorder in those children, pediatricians said today.

Sensory-Based Therapy: Pediatricians Raise Caution

Occupational therapy for kids who are over- or under-sensitive to sound, touch or other senses could help improve their symptoms -- but parents and doctors should be careful not to miss an underlying disorder in those children, pediatricians said today.
An autistic child looks out from behind a chair at the Consulting Centre for Autism in Amman.

Mom's Obesity Tied To Kids' Autism, Development

A new study of mothers and children in California finds that kids born to obese women are more likely to be diagnosed with autism or related developmental delays than the children of slimmer moms.

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Study Finds Electrotherapy Dampens Brain Connections

Scientists have discovered how electroconvulsive or electric shock therapy - a controversial but effective treatment - acts on the brains of severely depressed people and say the finding could help improve diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
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