Defining+Autism

=**What is Autism?**= media type="youtube" key="FeGaffIJvHM" height="315" width="560" align="center"

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 * The Autism Spectrum (ASD) is a wide-spectrum disorder which means that no two people with autism will have exactly the same symptoms. Along with varying combinations of symptoms, some people may experience mild symptoms while others have more severe ones. Autism Spectrum Disorders is often referred to as an umbrella term because there are five diagnosis that are apart of the ASD. These include Autistism Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett's Disorder.**=====

Autism Disorder is a complex disability that results from a neurological disorder that has an effect on the normal brain function. Although there is no known cause, researchers are investigating theories such as the link between heredity, genetics and medical problems. Autism affects the development of a person's **communication** and **social interaction skills**. As a result, people with autism have issues with verbal and non-verbal communication, a wide range of social interactions, and activities that include an element of play. People with autism like predictability, routines and keeping things the same. Going through certain motions again and again the same way is very common among people with autism. They are unable to easily adapt to changes in schedules and routines like people without autism. Some common strengths among people with autism are non-verbal reading skills and reading skills in general, perceptual motor skills, drawing skills, computer interest, exceptional memory, visual spatial abilities and music skills. Some common weaknesses are impairment in social relationships, deficits in communication and language, dependence on routine, abnormal responses to sensory stimulation, behavior problems, variability of intellectual functioning, difficulties in sleeping, toileting and eating, immune irregulatiries, nutritional deficiencies and gastrointestinal problems.

//Social Skills//
A person who has autism does not develop the type of social skills that the majority of the population has. In a non-severe case, a person with autism may seem awkward to talk to, they don't think before speaking so their comments may seem offensive or inappropriate, and they may just seem out of synch with everyone else. In more severe cases, the person may not show any interest in others at all. Those with autism don't make eye contact very often and overall just lack the skills necessary to carry on a conversation or to play with others.

//Empathy// - Understanding and being aware of the feelings of others
A person with autism will have a much harder time understanding the feelings of other people and their ability to instinctively empathize with people is much weaker than others. This can be worked on and empathy does improve and becomes more natural, but it will never come as naturally as to those without autism. When it comes to having a conversation with someone else, a person with autism will talk about themselves most of the time. The person with autism may give the impression that they are talking at a person, rather than with or to them. They may stick to one topic or theme and talk about it a lot and not exchange ideas, thoughts, or feelings with the other person.

//Sensory Issues//
People with autism have stronger senses and are more sensitive to certain things than people without autism. Loud unexpected noises such as bells ringing, dogs barking or horns honking can be very unpleasant for them. Some people with autism are bothered by certain smells or tastes. Different environmental situations can also be upsetting such as a noisy crowded space or a sudden change in lighting. If a person with autism is able to prepare for a sudden noise, smell or change in environment, it is less likely to bother them because they are not taken by surprise.

//Speech//
A person's speaking skills are affected more the higher the severity of the autism is. Many children with Autism do not speak at all. People with autism will often repeat words or phrases they hear. This is known as echolalia and is very common among people with autism. They will sometimes repeat a phrase as a means of answering a question. If someone asks them "would you like some juice?" they will answer "would you like some juice?" as a way of saying yes. People with Autism's speech may sound much more formal compared to other people's speech.

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