What is Autism?
Autism is classified as one of the pervasive developmental disorders of the brain. It is not a disease. People with classical autism show three types of symptoms: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual or severely limited activities and interests. These symptoms can vary in severity. In addition, people with autism often have abnormal responses to sounds, touch, or other sensory stimulation. Symptoms usually appear during the first three years of childhood and continue through life. Recent studies strongly suggest that some people have a genetic predisposition to autism. Researchers are looking for clues about which genes contribute to this increased susceptibility. In some children, environmental factors also may play a role. Studies of people with autism have found abnormalities in several regions of the brain which suggest that autism results from a disruption of early fetal brain development. Autism affects an estimated 10 to 20 of every 10,000 people, depending on diagnostic criteria used, and strikes males about four times more often than females.
Is there any treatment?
There is currently no cure for autism, but appropriate treatment may foster relatively normal development and reduce undesirable behaviors. Educational/behavioral therapies and drug interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms. Educational/behavioral therapies emphasize highly structured and often intensive skill-oriented training. Doctors also may prescribe a variety of drugs to reduce symptoms of autism Other interventions are available, but few, if any, scientific studies support their use.
What is the prognosis?
People with autism have normal life expectancies. Symptoms in many children improve with intervention or as the children age. Some people with autism eventually lead normal or near-normal lives. Adolescence can worsen behavior problems in some children, and parents should be ready to adjust treatment for the child's changing needs. About a third of children with autistic spectrum disorders eventually develop epilepsy. The risk is highest in children with severe cognitive impairment and motor deficits.
What research is being done?
NINDS supports studies aimed at identifying the underlying brain abnormalities of autism through new methods of brain imaging and other innovative techniques, and at identifying genes that increase the risk of autism. Researchers also are investigating possible biologic markers present at birth that can identify infants at risk for the development of autism. Other studies are examining how different brain regions develop and function in relation to each other, and how alterations in these relationships may result in the signs and symptoms of autism. Researchers hope these studies will provide new clues about how autism develops and how brain abnormalities affect behavior.
The NINDS is a member of the US Department of Health and Human Services Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). For additional information developed by member organizations, including booklets, factsheets, summaries, and information about clinical research, please visit the IACC site at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/autismiacc/index.cfm
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
Organizations
Autism Research Institute (ARI)
4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
http://www.autismresearchinstitute.com
Tel: 619-281-7165
Fax: 619-563-6840
Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Ave.
Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814-3067
info@autism-society.org
http://www.autism-society.org
Tel: 301-657-0881 800-3AUTISM (328-8476)
Fax: 301-657-0869
New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC)
1450 Parkside Avenue
Suite 22
Ewing, NJ 08638
information@njcosac.org
http://www.njcosac.org
Tel: 609-883-8100 NJ: 800-4-AUTISM (428-8476)
Fax: 609-883-5509
National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR)
99 Wall Street
Research Park
Princeton, NJ 08540
naar@naar.org
http://www.naar.org
Tel: 609-430-9160 888-777-NAAR (6227) California: 310-230-3568
Fax: 609-430-9163
National Autism Hotline
Autism Services Center
605 Ninth Street, Prichard Bldg.
Huntington, WV 25701-0507
http://www.autismservicescenter.org/
Tel: 304-525-8014
Fax: 304-525-8026
Autism National Committee (AUTCOM)
P.O. Box 6175
North Plymouth, MA 02362-6175
SusanG1961@aol.com
http://www.autcom.org
Cure Autism Now (CAN) Foundation
5455 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 715
Los Angeles, CA 90036-4234
info@cureautismnow.org
http://www.cureautismnow.org
Tel: 323-549-0500 888-AUTISM (828-8476)
Fax: 323-549-0547
MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger's, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
chart@netnitco.net
http://www.maapservices.org
Tel: 219-662-1311
Fax: 219-662-0638
Autism Network International (ANI)
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse, NY 13235-5448
jisincla@mailbox.syr.edu
http://ani.autistics.org
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org
Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31, Rm. 2A32
Bethesda, MD 20892-2425
NICHDClearinghouse@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 301-496-5133 800-370-2943
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
6001 Executive Blvd.
Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Tel: 301-443-4513 TTY: 301-443-8431 Depression Info: 800-421-4211 Anxiety Info: 88-88-ANXIETY (269-4389) Panic Info: 888-64-PANIC (64-72642)
Fax: 301-443-4279
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-241-1044 TTD/TTY: 241-1055
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013-1492
nichcy@aed.org
http://www.nichcy.org
Tel: 202-884-8200 800-695-0285
Fax: 202-884-8441
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