An introduction to autism

Original title: Introduktion om autism
Eric Zander
Translation: Scott Spellerberg, 2005

Autism is characterised by severe and pervasive impairments in several important areas of development:  reciprocal social interaction and communication as well as behaviour, and imagination. In order to be diagnosed with autism, the behavioural symptoms in all of the above-named areas must be present by age 3. Even if the parents often notice that something is wrong during infancy, it is very difficult to diagnose
autism before the age of eighteen months. This is because the behavioural symptoms used to establish the diagnosis have not clearly emerged developmentally until that age.

The majority of children with autism also have a learning disability (mental retardation), although a few have average intelligence. Many also have epilepsy, and visual and hearing impairment are over-represented in this group. Persons with Asperger’s syndrome, which is a condition resembling autism, have average or above average intelligence.Roughly estimated, 1 - 2 children per thousand have autism, which means that about one hundred children are born with autism every year in Sweden. Autism and the other pervasive developmental disorders (autistic-like conditions), or in other words the entire autism spec-trum, adds up to at least 6 children in every thousand in Sweden. The same figures are seen in other nations worldwide. Many more boys than girls have autism.

What causes autism?

Autism is a behaviourally-defined condition, but is caused by a number of different known and unknown biologically based brain dysfunctions that affect the developing brain’s ability to handle information. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder. There is a genetic component in many cases. The different way of processing information, such as perceiving, processing and interpreting information, learning new things and behaving in a well-adapted way, leads to the behavioural deviations that can be observed.

The presentation of autism

Social interactionThe most striking aspect of autism is often the difficulties with reciprocal, social interac-tion. Even from a very early age, the infant may have difficulties using and understanding eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, intonation, etc, while in contact with other persons. Many children with autism show no social or emotional reciprocity and do not spontaneously share their joys with their parents nor seek them out for comfort. Children with autism are not always interested in children of the same age, but even if they are, they usually have difficulties is making and keeping friends.

Sumber: AUTISMFORUM Handikapp & Habilitering, Box 17519, 118 91 Stockholm 08-690 60 52, www.autismforum.se, autismforum@sll.se