by Renee Mcknight

Created on: October 14, 2008   Last Updated: November 25, 2008

Autism is a term used when speaking about Autistic Disorder and also used when speaking about ASD (which is Autism spectrum disorder). Most people have preconceived ideas about Autism and think automatically of the most severe cases of Autistic Disorder. Autism was first introduced by Dr. Leo Kanner, a Johns Hopkins psychiatrist, in 1943. Then in 1944 it was reintroduced by an Austrian pediatrician, Hans Asperger.

My writing today is to tell you that many different Disorders fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorder, commonly known as ASD. Most individuals with ASD have similar communication and social impairments, which depends on the disorder in the spectrum chart and how one rates whether its mild or severe, and anywhere within.

Some of the terms used commonly to describe Autism are as followed, High Functioning Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, or I have heard people use the term Aspergers Disorder as well, Pervasive Developmental Disorder known as PDD and of course Autistic Disorder.

Though what people are becoming more aware of is that every individual with ASD may share common characteristics when it involves social or communication impairments but every individual is different when it pertains to there level of functioning, and also there age and the severity of the disorder in the spectrum. How an individual socializes is another different characteristic within all individuals with ASD.

Today more testing is being done to see what exactly is causing the rise in Autism in children, some claim its genetic, others claim vaccinations, some claim its lack of vitamins, no one has found a link yet so more research must be done, there is no cure for Autism.

My son was diagnosed informally with Autism at three years old, this came as a shock to me cause I was uneducated and like most people in todays society thought of the most severe cases, so I was in denial until I began reading about Aspergers Syndrome and recognized the signs he was showing. Once I had become aware of this, I got my son properly tested and was told he had Aspergers Syndrome, he has his social challenges which we help him deal with daily with the help of trained professionals including his Child Psychiatrist, we were able to see his strengths early and continued to help him progress on his level. He shows signs of improvement with this communication and with friends in a social environment. My sons level of Autism is mild, but again he does show similar characteristics when put in social situations, or when communicating with peers.

Autism is a very complex disorder and I have included some websites that have information in much more detail, that I have used throughout the years to educate myself. These Internet sites might have the answers you are looking for when pertaining to Autism.

http://www.autismsocietycanada.ca/understandi ng_autism/what_are_asds/index_e.html

http://www.epile psyontario.org/client/EO/EOWeb.nsf/web/Epilepsy+and+ Autism

http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/

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