Communication

Autism is characterized by a set of mental disorders arraying from communicative impairments to restricted behavioral patterns. The signs of autism start to show up at an early age, mostly by 2-3 years. According to medical terms, it is basically a brain development disorder in which the infant suffers from a distinct lack of communication skills. The overall cognitive development in terms of gaining effective language skills is also affected and this leads to communication disorientation. An autistic kid tends to develop an affinity towards repetitive or stereotyped activities. Until the 1980s, autism was a rare disorder that used to occur in 5 children per 10000 childbirths. But the rate has unfortunately increased since the 1980s. Since that period, the victims of autism have increased to 60 per 1000 newborns. The reasons are largely undetected so far despite extensive research works. It's been argued that excessive vaccination of children is a likely cause of autism. But this theory is not substantiated by medical evidence so far.

It has been suggested that autism is an inherited disease. But the genes that are responsible are not at all well identified. Despite so many confusions, the fact that can be safely believed is that autism affects several parts of human brain. An autistic child starts to develop syndromes at an early phase of its life. If spotted early, an autistic infant may develop techniques of self-care. But the sad truth remains that autism cannot be cured. With proper and timely intervention of parents and near and dear ones, an autistic kid can lead a healthy and meaningful life, even though he or she would forever require other's assistance as far as making physical movements is concerned. This is mainly for the unfortunate victims of severe autism. Those who are struck with less complicated autism are privileged enough to make their physical movements and in some cases, engage in plausible communication.

Autistic children also show a tendency to line up inanimate objects. Their minds are preoccupied with the thought of stacking objects (especially toys) in an order which they find attractive or meaningful. This might appear senseless to a normal person, but the autistics are obsessed with it.

Autism belongs to the category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). The disturbing behaviors that are seen in autistic patients have their root deeply seated in this type of cognitive disorder.

It's often been suggested that an autistic patient enjoys loneliness and isolation. But experts opine that it is a faulty conception. An autistic individual is often pitted against isolation because he or she fails to connect to others in a warm and friendly manner. They just don't feel like making eye contacts or approach their known ones in a spontaneous manner. A strange dissociation of the self is seen in autistic patients.