by Mark Mylod

Created on: August 17, 2008   Last Updated: November 25, 2008

Autism has been an enigma in regard to its cause, diagnosis, and treatment. It has baffled medical and educational professionals for years, but great strides have been made due to research, treatment, innovative teaching strategies, support services, and improved resources. Autism has existed since time immemorial, and up until sixty years ago some Autistic individuals were considered insane and locked away in institutions. In 2000, the American Psychiatric Association estimated that the prevalence of autism is about 5 cases per 10,000 with males outnumbering females 4 to 1. These figures may vary dependent upon the diagnostic measures utilized and the definition professionals may employ. In every aspect of life the autistic individual struggles to makes sense of the world around them including at school, work, as well as their home and social lives. There are many complexities that surround autism and a comprehensive understanding and approach is necessary to adequately address this disorder.

There are many different types of autism and it is considered a spectrum disorder because not all autistic individuals are similar. Some may be severely affected and unable to function requiring care for twenty-fours a day seven days a week while others may be capable of functioning at a much higher level and perhaps live independently. Autism is derived from the Greek word " autos " that means " by one self " or put quite simply by the Webster's New World Dictionary in 1996, " a mental state marked by disregard of external reality." It was in 1943 when Dr. Leo Kanner identified five distinct behaviors that are characteristic of the autistic individual. They are as follows:
Inability to relate to or interact with people
Inability to communicate with others through language
Obsession with mainstreaming sameness and resisting variety or change
Favoring objects rather than people
Occasional evidence of strong potential for intelligence
Adapted from Rosenberg, M. (2001). Coping When a Brother or Sister is Autistic.

Dr. Kanner's findings were of great significance and since then autism has been seen in a new light. Many variations of the definition of autism were made to clarify the disorder. It remains clear that social relationships, communication, and behavior are adversely affected with the autistic individual. There is no cure and its cause seems to have eluded the medical community for this developmental disorder although progress is being made towards a better understanding

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