What is Autism?
Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that generally appears before the age of 3. It affects the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function. Individuals with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. Individuals with autism often suffer from numerous physical ailments which may include: allergies, asthma, epilepsy, digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, feeding disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, sleeping disorders, and more. It does not affect life expectancy.

what is Autism video :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk9-3RxRhRI

Possible symptoms of Autism:
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, there are five behaviors that signal the need for a doctor to immediately evaluate a child for autism:
1. Does not babble or coo by 12 months of age 2. Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp, etc.) by 12 months of age
3. Does not say single words by 16 months of age
4. Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own (rather than just repeating what someone says to him or her) by 24 months of age
5. Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age.

What is the best treatment for autism?
The truth is there is no gold standard for autism treatment. As of now, there are a grand total of two treatments which have been "scientifically proven" to be effective for people with autism. The first, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), is a non-medical therapeutic approach. It has been studied carefully for decades and is relatively easy to study, as it has very measurable goals. The second is an antipsychotic medication called Risperdal (risperidone): the first and only medication to be specifically approved for use in autism. Of course, ABA and/or Risperdal are neither cure-all nor are they right for every person with autism. Most autistic children receive at least speech, physical and occupational therapies.

Statistics on Autism:
Approximately 1 in 1,000 people have autism or autistic disorder. It appears to be the most highly genetic of all psychiatric disorders. If a family with one autistic child has another child the chance that this child would be autistic is 50 to 100 times more likely to than would be expected by chance. However, it's clear that no single gene produces the disorder. Rather, the commonly accepted model states that it is a result of the accumulation of between five to ten genetic mutations. Scientists are aiming to identify all these genes in order to find a full cure to this issue.

Dr. Buxbaum and his colleagues conducted a systematic screening of a region in which 411 families have members with autism or autistic disorder. It was found that the genetic variations in one gene that occur with greater frequency in individuals with autism disease and their family members. This gene codes for a protein that is involved in production of ATP, the molecule that acts as fuel providing the energy cells need to function. Dysfunction of this gene could lead to irregularities in the production of molecules that fuel the cells. Since brain cells consume large amounts of energy even minor disruptions in production of such fuel can significantly affect the cells ability to function normally.

Citations :
All About Autism. (2010, November 14). National Autism Association is here to offer information and support to everyone affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism informational education and advocacy.. Retrieved July 1, 2010, from http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/definitions.php

Autism gene discovered. (n.d.). THE MEDICAL NEWS / from News-Medical.Net - Latest Medical News and Research from Around the World. Retrieved July 1, 2010, from http://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/04/14/493.aspx

Rudy, L. J. (2010, June 1). Treatment for Autism - What's the Best Treatment for Autism. Autism - Signs, Symptoms, Treatments, Resources, Support for Autism. Retrieved July 1, 2010, from http://autism.about.com/od/treatmentoptions/f/besttreatment.htm

Images :

1.Autistic child(2010) retrieved from:

http://www.topnews.in/health/virtual-reality-can-teach-street-crossing-autistic-kids-2797

2. Autism logo retrieved from :

http://www.pacer.org/pacerwebinars/

3. Autism sketch showing a section through the brain (2008)retrieved from :

http://rachaeltan.wordpress.com/2008/06/

4. Autistic child sleeping(2008) retrieved from:

http://www.pyroenergen.com/articles09/autism-causes.htm

5.Autism Awareness Day logo (2010) retrieved from :

http://entcare.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/world-autism-awareness-day-diagnose-early/

6. "what is Autism?" (2006) video retrieved form:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk9-3RxRhRI