WHAT IS AUTISM

AUTISM is a developmental disorder that manifests a syndrome of social disturbances and relationships. It often does not become clinically apparent until the second year of life. Many individuals with AUTISM have limited verbal or non-verbal communication. This gives rise to inability to communicate with their peers, parents and other people, such as difficulties to recognise or show facial expressions, gestures or even notice a change in tone of someone's voice. Problems with feeding and toilet training are also common and many AUTISTIC children/adults have unusual behaviour.

Although AUTISTIC children often look healthy and attractive, their visual and auditory concept is distorted, hence they are not able to make sense of the world around them. AUTISM is more prevalent than previously been thought. According to recent reviews, there appears fairly good agreement that the AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS affect approximately 60, and narrowly-defined AUTISM 10-30, per 10,000 children under 8. The prevalence of AUTISM among adult populations is not known.

These estimates make AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS far more common than was previously generally recognised. (MRC-2001). The average prevalence from all studies published by the year 2000 is 10 per 10,000 for AUTISTIC DISORDER, and 2.5 per 10,000 for ASPERGER SYNDROME. Estimates from more recent studies have been higher, reflecting better ascertainment. For example, prevalence estimates based on two most recent studies in the UK using active case ascertainment and two stage 'screen' with similar criteria for caseness are consistent.

Baird reported a combined prevalence of 57.9 per 10,000 in children by the age of 7 which accords with the figure of 62.6 per 10,000 for all PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS reported by Chakrabarti and Fombonne in their survey of 4 to 7 year-olds in Staffordshire. Baird estimated a prevalence of 27.1 per 10,000 for ASPERGER SYNDROME which is higher than 8.4 per 10,000 reported by Chakrabarti - this may reflect some differences in age group studied. (MRC-2001).

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS affect many more males than females. They affect people of all social classes, countries and races. It is as yet unclear whether people of particular racial origins are more at risk for AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS. (MRC-2001).

CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE DISORDER is very rare, with prevalence ranging between 0.1 to 0.6 per 10,000. However the five studies reporting prevalence combined included only 10 affected individuals so these estimates are very uncertain. (MRC-2001) Since the recognition of AUTISM in 1943 by Leo Kanner in the U.S.A. and the ASPERGER SYNDROME, HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM, classified as ATYPICAL AUTISM (DSM-IV, 1994) by Hans Asperger in Austria in 1944 and CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE DISORDER (CDC)/HELLER'S SYNDROME/LATE ONSET OF AUTISM first mentioned by Theodor Heller a Viennese educator, in 1908, scientific endeavours in the 1990's have led us nearer towards the possible causes of AUTISM, however, there is still a great deal of work to be done to reach the ultimate goal.

In approximately 90% of individuals with AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, there is good evidence to indicate that complex genetic influences are contributing to pathogenesis. However, these estimates are based on studies of relatively small samples of twins that were ascertained using relatively narrowly defined and stringent diagnostic criteria. Moreover, to varying extents the samples are likely to have been subject to ascertainment bias. (MRC-2001).

Families with an AUTISTIC child are given an approximate 6% chance of having another born with the disorder. A number of epidemiological twin studies have demonstrated the heritability of AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER S. For example, Bayley et al found that probability of both twins having an AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER is high (60%) if they are identical (monozygotic), whereas if they are non-identical (dizygotic) the probability is very small. The rate of AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS in singleton sibilings is 2-6%, which is still at least ten times the general population prevalence. (MRC-2001).

RESEARCH IN AUTISM
IS VERY IMPORTANT

PLEASE SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP