Autism

But nobody really knows why there has been such a dramatic increase or what causes it. BBC News Online examines the perplexing condition.

What is autism?

Autism is a developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and interacts with other people.

People with autism cannot relate to others in a meaningful way. They also have trouble making sense of the world at large.

As a result, their ability to develop friendships is impaired. They also have a limited capacity to understand other people's feelings.

Autism is often also associated with learning disabilities.

Reality to an autistic person is a confusing, interacting mass of events, people, places, sounds and sights.

There seems to be no clear boundaries, order or meaning to anything.

A large part of life is spent just trying to work out the pattern behind everything.

What are the characteristics of autism?

The National Autistic Society lists three major areas which cause people with autism serious problems. They are:

• Social interaction - difficulty with social relationships, for example appearing aloof and indifferent to other people
• Social communication - difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication, for example not really understanding the meaning of gestures, facial expressions or tone of voice
• Imagination - difficulty in the development of play and imagination, for example having a limited range of imaginative activities, possibly copied and pursued rigidly and repetitively

What causes autism?

Nobody really knows what causes autism.

However, it is thought that genetic factors are likely to play a crucial role.

Research has also linked the condition with a variety of conditions affecting brain development which occur before, during, or very soon after birth.

Scientists in the UK are now planning to examine all possible environmental factors which could play a part in the development of autism, including problems with birth and the potential impact of diet, infections, vaccinations and exposure to toxins.

Is it linked to the MMR vaccine?

Concern over a link between the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine were raised after a study by Dr Andrew Wakefield published in the Lancet in 1998 claimed MMR might trigger autism. However, no research has ever proved a link, and the overwhelming majority of experts believe the vaccine is safe.

The latest research from Japan studied autism rates in over 31,000 children up to the age of seven, who were born before and after the withdrawal of the MMR jab in that country. It was found that autism rates continued to rise after the triple vaccine was withdrawn in 1993, whereas rates would have been expected to fall if the jab was a major cause.

How is autism diagnosed?

Autism can be difficult to diagnose as it is a complex condition and symptoms are variable.

Although the characteristics of autism are generally evident in the first few years of life, the condition can go undetected for many years especially in those who are at the more able end of the spectrum where the signs are more subtle.

However, people with autism do tend to exhibit tell-tale behavioural signs.

These can include tapping parts of the body, rocking, teeth grinding and repetitive grunting.

More complicated behaviours associated with the condition include:

• intense attachment to particular objects for no apparent purpose
• a fascination with regular repeated patterns of objects, sounds
• arranging objects in lines or patterns

Specialist education and structured support are available to help maximise skills and achieve full potential in adulthood.

Information is available from the National Autistic Society helpline on 0845 070 4004. It is open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
National Autistic Society
Public Autism Resource and Information Service
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