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Autism: Causes, Characteristics & Prognosis

  

As the baby grows, the mother worries. Why does he/she not recognise her or smile at her like other kids of his/her age? She shares her concerns with the doctor and the verdict is that the child is suffering from autism. In autism, the child has problems in social interactions and exhibits repetitive behaviour. The primary caregivers, in most cases the parents note that something is amiss within the first three years of the child’s life.

Causes

Autism is a long-term disease. Environment and genes play a huge role in contributing to autism.

What happens during Autism?

In people who suffer from autism, the information processed by the brain differs due to alterations in the nerve cells and their connections. Many factors contribute to this and scientists are not sure why this happens.

Early intervention to improve speech and behaviour can help autistic children gain confidence and make them slightly independent. A child who has autism will still be dependent as an adult.

Characteristics

It is not necessary that those who have autism are severely impaired. Some of them may have some developmental lag but may be far superior in other aspects.

Prognosis

There is no cure for autism. Some children recover from it but how that happens stays unexplained.   Most children require speech and behavioural therapy.

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