Autism

[mo'Nique]

I have a quick question. I was flipping through a psychology book when I came across this disorder. I was wondering what exactly is it as the book didn't give me a clear understanding of it.

I also googled it and still I didn't recieve a clear answer to what exactly the disorder is. I know it has something to do with poor social development in childhood, but that's pretty much it. Does anyone here have a clear understanding of what this disorder is.

That's all! thanks!

[niczeegs]

I would like to know as well - my boyfriend's cousin has it and he seems normal enough.

Thanks for posting Nique!

[Dako]

As I understand it, autism is an emotional disconnect from others, and runs the gamut from minor quirks to Asperger's syndrome (lack of empathy) to complete disconnection from others and living in an isolated world. These people sometimes are quite bright and talented, but channel their feelings differently.

It's not easy to diagnose or treat. I've known a few autistic children and a two adults. They were all had different levels of the ailment.

[Ash]

In my understanding, autism has to do with a brain development. Generally it manifests as being not as socially capable as ones peers, or not able to comminucate as well as others of the same age. In an autistic child, one or several portions of the brain have not developed as fully as they should have.

[dragon111]

Not sure how to describe it, as far as i know there are many different degrees, some autistic children are gifted with intelligence and i think all have problems interacting socially with other people.

There are many films based around autistic children, Watch the film Mercury Rising, sure it's just a film but it gives you an idea. Oh, but as parents of autistic children will tell you, although the gifted autistic children are often popularised, in many cases it is not so, i've seen programs where the parents will talk about how they find their childrens faeces hidden about the house.

[mo'Nique]

This is kinda what I figured it was, but I read in a medical dictionary that described it as "a childhood mental condition in which the attention or interest is thought to be focused on the ego".

What's this about??

[CarnelianButterfly]

Originally Posted by mo'Nique

I know it has something to do with poor social development in childhood, but that's pretty much it.

It's estimated that most autism is genetic.

It is a developmental disorder, most causes show impairment in social interaction, impaired communication, narrow interests, and repetitive actions.

Social interactions can be limited as people with autism lack the understanding of what the meaning of certain social interactions are. Smiling for instance, smiles are a learned behavior, autism prevents the link between seeing a smile and knowing that means happy.

Communication is impaired by a lack of speech development. They don't have the same repertoire of words as people their own age. It makes it hard for them to express themselves, so they don't.

Repetition happens in many forms, like movements most people would see as fidgeting, an autistic person does them all the time, like rocking or head bobbing. Some researchers think that its a comforting motion or self-stimulation. There are also actions that seem to follow an internalized order, compulsive arrangement of objects. Another feature is the restriction of their focus, they will only do a set of certain things and it is very upsetting to deviate from that set.

There are other characteristics less common, such as savants, some exceptional skill, like numbers, trivia, drawing.

[Ash]

This is kinda what I figured it was, but I read in a medical dictionary that described it as "a childhood mental condition in which the attention or interest is thought to be focused on the ego".

That may be the case, but the reason for the mental condition I think relates back to brain development. What the medical quote seems to describe is a type of autistic behaviour and isn't actually addressing the cause at all.

[illusionglimps]

"Autism is a disorder of brain function that appears early in life, generally before the age of three. Children with autism have problems with social interaction, communication, imagination and behavior. Autistic traits persist into adulthood, but vary in severity. Some adults with autism function well, earning college degrees and living independently. Others never develop the skills of daily living, and may be incorrectly diagnosed with a variety of psychiatric illnesses.It is a bioneurological disorder, not a mental illness, which affects the functioning of the brain. Some theories suggest that it may be caused by genetics, viral and/or chemical exposure"
That's what I found.Hope it helped

[mo'Nique]

Thank you all for your replies as I understand more and have a clearer view of this condition