Autism 101
Autism Spectrum Disorders can be mild or profound, and may include a surprising range of symptoms, quirks, talents and abilities. Learn more about autism -- from the early signs to diagnosis, prognosis, and important first steps.
Does Early Speech Predict a Bad Prognosis for a Child with Autism?
If your child with autism isn't talking, don't worry too much. Early speech is not a good predictor of long term outcomes.
If your child with autism isn't talking, don't worry too much. Early speech is not a good predictor of long term outcomes.
Don't Worry - These Things Do NOT Cause Autism!
As parents hear more and more about autism in the news, they worry that anything they do (or don't do) could cause the disorder. In fact, while there is debate about what causes autism, it's clear that many things cannot cause autism.
As parents hear more and more about autism in the news, they worry that anything they do (or don't do) could cause the disorder. In fact, while there is debate about what causes autism, it's clear that many things cannot cause autism.
What Is the Vaccine/Autism Controversy About?
The media has been buzzing about a possible link between vaccines and autism. But unless you're paying close attention, you may not realize how complex that debate really is. Here's an overview of the many questions now under debate -- and links to more in-depth info on a variety of subjects.
The media has been buzzing about a possible link between vaccines and autism. But unless you're paying close attention, you may not realize how complex that debate really is. Here's an overview of the many questions now under debate -- and links to more in-depth info on a variety of subjects.
What Is PDD-NOS?
Often, children with social and communication delays are diagnosed with something called PDD-NOS - pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. What exactly is PDD-NOS?
Often, children with social and communication delays are diagnosed with something called PDD-NOS - pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. What exactly is PDD-NOS?
Symptoms of Autism NOT Listed in the Diagnostic Literature
The official symptoms of autism include lack of eye contact, speech delay and repetitive behaviors. So why are parents seeking treatments to help their children sleep, handle sensory overloads, cope with anxiety, digest food, or end seizure disorders?[p] Many - in fact most - people with autism have symptoms that have nothing to do with social interaction. So far, we don't know whether autism is …
The official symptoms of autism include lack of eye contact, speech delay and repetitive behaviors. So why are parents seeking treatments to help their children sleep, handle sensory overloads, cope with anxiety, digest food, or end seizure disorders?[p] Many - in fact most - people with autism have symptoms that have nothing to do with social interaction. So far, we don't know whether autism is …
What Is "High Functioning Autism?"
The term "high functioning autism" is often used to describe individuals who are clearly autistic but have significant verbal, academic, social and life skills. What does it mean to have high functioning autism?
The term "high functioning autism" is often used to describe individuals who are clearly autistic but have significant verbal, academic, social and life skills. What does it mean to have high functioning autism?
Autism Information You Need to Know - Top Ten Autism Facts
Autism is a complex topic - but what are the MOST important things to know about autism? This quick top 10 article includes the most imortant autism facts, plus links to learn more. Share it with your mom, your child's teacher, or anyone else who asks "What is autism, anyway?"
Autism is a complex topic - but what are the MOST important things to know about autism? This quick top 10 article includes the most imortant autism facts, plus links to learn more. Share it with your mom, your child's teacher, or anyone else who asks "What is autism, anyway?"
What Is Autism?
Autism is a complex set of disorders that are suddenly being diagnosed in epidemic proportions. What exactly is autism, who does it strike, and what do autistic people have in common?
Autism is a complex set of disorders that are suddenly being diagnosed in epidemic proportions. What exactly is autism, who does it strike, and what do autistic people have in common?
What drugs are used to treat autism?
What drugs are used to treat autism?
What drugs are used to treat autism?
Ask an Expert
Experts on autism are often hard to find -- or in great demand. Developmental Pediatrician Dr. James Coplan, Family Psychologists Dr. Robert Naseef and Cindy Ariel, and self-advocate Kate Goldfield (a young adult with Asperger Syndrome) are available at About.com to answer your questions and offer insight and ideas for coping with autism.
Experts on autism are often hard to find -- or in great demand. Developmental Pediatrician Dr. James Coplan, Family Psychologists Dr. Robert Naseef and Cindy Ariel, and self-advocate Kate Goldfield (a young adult with Asperger Syndrome) are available at About.com to answer your questions and offer insight and ideas for coping with autism.
Autism Overview
What is autism? What causes it? How is it treated? This fact sheet from the National Institutes of Health provides a clear and readable overview.
What is autism? What causes it? How is it treated? This fact sheet from the National Institutes of Health provides a clear and readable overview.
Is Autism on the Rise?
The number of diagnosed cases of autism has risen dramatically in the past decade. But is there a true epidemic -- or just more diagnoses?
The number of diagnosed cases of autism has risen dramatically in the past decade. But is there a true epidemic -- or just more diagnoses?
Top Autism Myths
If you're new to the autism spectrum, you may have built your picture of autism from media stories. But it's important not to believe everything you see or hear!
If you're new to the autism spectrum, you may have built your picture of autism from media stories. But it's important not to believe everything you see or hear!
What Causes Autism?
Despite a good deal of research, there are still many theories. Find out more about different perspectives on a cause.
Despite a good deal of research, there are still many theories. Find out more about different perspectives on a cause.
Top Ten Autism Sites
There's an incredible glut of information about autism available on the web. Some is outstanding; some is ... not so outstanding. These top ten sites are reliable resources that offer solid information, useful advice, and fascinating insights into the world of autism.
There's an incredible glut of information about autism available on the web. Some is outstanding; some is ... not so outstanding. These top ten sites are reliable resources that offer solid information, useful advice, and fascinating insights into the world of autism.
Autism Coverage from About.com’s Pediatrics Guide
This article covers the basics and much more. Be sure to read the case descriptions, quotes from adults with autism, and information about treatment and prognosis.
This article covers the basics and much more. Be sure to read the case descriptions, quotes from adults with autism, and information about treatment and prognosis.