Children on the autism spectrum have difficulty interacting with or playing with others, including avoiding eye contact or being averse to being held or touched.  Developmental delays – or the achievement and then loss of developmental skills including gross and fine motor skills and language skills– are also hallmarks of autism.  Unusual movements or moving objects in a repetitive way and not understanding or using language are also characteristics of autism.

The term Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PPD) is also used to describe autism.  PPDs, of which autism is the most well-known, are a group of developmental conditions affecting children that encompass impairments and delays in social skills and communication.

Generally speaking, PDDs are diagnosed by age 3 and sometimes as early as 18 months.  While all PDDs affect social skills, communication, behavior, and cognitive skills, they are not all alike.  Other PPDs include Asperger syndrome. A child with Asperger syndrome, for instance, may have trouble communicating but exhibit no trouble with self-help skills such as dressing or feeding him- or herself.

When learning about autism it is important to remember that there is no consensus as to the cause of autism.  Genetics and environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disorder, but no definitive links have been established.  Parenting styles are not a factor in whether a child is affected by autism.

There has been much speculation about a causal link between autism and childhood vaccines, particularly the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and vaccines that contain thimerosal, a preservative containing a small amount of mercury.  Although extensive research has found no link between autism and vaccines and most vaccines have been thimerosal-free since 2001, the controversy persists over a possible vaccine-autism causation link.

Just as there is no definitive cause of autism, there is no cure.  Treatments and interventions can greatly improve the symptoms of autism, but it is important to keep in mind the distinction in meaning here:  autism is a disorder for which there is no cure, but that does not mean that there is no treatment for it.

If you’re a medical professional, that definition is probably crystal clear. If you’re a parent who just received news that your child is autistic, that definition might be clear as mud. As parents, we expect our children to be born healthy and ready for a long, productive life. When the child is born and something turns out not to be quite right, the last thing a parent wants to hear is a lot of fancy medical jargon.

So what is the best definition for autism for parents? Parents and even the child’s caregiver or teachers need to truly understand the characteristics of autism and it affects the child’s life. Knowing what truly defines and characterizes the disorder helps the adults in the child’s life care for him or her and help the child adjust with the disorder as he or she grows.

Autism is diagnosed by observing the child’s behavior, not by performing a battery of medical tests. No two children will display the same symptoms. It is not known what causes autism – it can be the result of improper brain function, the environment or even heredity. It is known, however, that it is not brought on, or prevented for that matter, by any particular parenting style. Studies have shown that autism likely develops as the result of changes in brain development during pregnancy.

Just as no two children will present the same symptoms for autism, the same is true for the characteristics they display. The characteristics will depend on the level of the severity of the disorder. While, yes, each child will display a different level of severity, autism is characterized by the same three core areas: social interaction, communication and behavior/interest patterns.

Autism is not rare. It is a lifelong disability and there is no cure. With treatment, some affected with the disorder may find that their condition improves but problems with social interaction and communication will remain.

The best definition of autism is the one that describes the needs of the child in your life who has just been diagnosed. Just as no two children can share the same symptoms of this disorder, there should be no “one” definition that describes it. It is a disorder with many different components that need to be considered before deciding on a form of treatment or intervention.

References and Additional Resources:

Autism spectrum disorders include the conditions of autistic disorder, Asperberger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder that is not otherwise specified. Most individuals with an autism spectrum disorder may have one or more symptoms including difficulty interacting with others or communicating, paying attention, or having unusual behavior issues, such as adhering to repetitive behaviors or an insistence on maintaining extremely rigid routines. They may also have diverse and extreme sensory reactions and unusual ways of learning, although people with ASDs can range from being very challenged to extremely gifted, to everything in between.

Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders usually occurs early in childhood. A child who does not reach certain milestones by specific ages should be monitored by health care professionals, parents, and teachers to determine whether there is a possibility that the child has an autism spectrum disorder. ASDs can be diagnosed as early as eighteen months, and most autism spectrum disorders can be diagnosed accurately before the age of three. In most cases it is parents or early caregivers who notice symptoms that lead to additional assessment and diagnosis. Some children, however, are not correctly diagnosed until after the onset of school when they are in a more social and structured setting outside of the home.

There are a number of symptoms that can indicate that a child may have an ASD, but as a general rule, those children who appear not to communicate with or react to others should be closely watched. Some early warning signs include a child who does not like to be held, does not make eye contact, has difficulty expressing his or her needs, repeats words or actions over and over, loses skills he or she had previously developed, does not seem to respond when spoken to, and other similar and unusual responses to social interaction. Of course, this list is not a complete indication of all symptoms, and just because a child exhibits these symptoms does not mean he or she has an autism spectrum disorder. It is merely a general idea of warning signs to look for that may indicate that further assessment is needed.

The earlier autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed, the more likely it is that intervention and therapy can benefit the individual and that improvements can be made. Research has shown that early intervention can be an effective tool in improving the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders and most early intervention programs are focused on helping the child develop improved social and communication skills, as well as other cognitive-related skills.

Autism spectrum disorders are four times more likely to affect boys than girls, although they occur among all ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic groups. There is no known cure for autism and no way to effectively prevent the disorder. The best possible outcomes for those with one of the autism spectrum disorders usually occur with proper diagnosis and treatment, including early intervention therapies, when possible. Autism spectrum disorders can last a lifetime but with effective treatment and therapy, symptoms can improve greatly.