PROVIDING AUTISM LINKS & SUPPORTS
WHAT IS AUTISM?
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTISM?
- Every person with autism is different. However, there are some common characteristics of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
- May have difficulty in using and understanding language, and understanding the perspectives of other people.
- May require more direct specialized instruction in social, play and friendship skills than other children
- May have unusual sensitivity or undersensitivity to sound, sight, taste, touch, or smell.
- May show unusual repetitive behaviors or speech patterns, such as switching a light on and off repeatedly, or humming loudly.
- May have difficulty with changes to surroundings or routines.
- Uneven skill development. Some skills are normal or superior for their age while others show significant delay.
- May have difficulty maintaining a conversation, noticing facial expressions, or using gestures.
For additional information on autism, along with a resource guide, trainings, conferences and more for Central Florida visit UCF-CARD.
WHAT IS AUTISM?
Autism is a lifelong
neurological disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate,
understand language, play and socially interact with others. Autism is
classified as a developmental disability because it interferes with the typical
rate and patterns of childhood development. The first signs of autism
usually appear as before age three. There are diagnoses closely related to
autism such as PDD-NOS (pervasive development disorder not otherwise
specified), Asperger’s syndrome, and Rett’s syndrome that are included in the
category of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
WHAT CAUSES AUTISM?
Nobody knows what causes autism. Some scientists believe there is a biological cause that affects the working of the brain, but this has not been proven. It is possible there are many factors that could interact with one another which could cause different characteristics in each individual with autism. Parents do not cause autism. No factors in a child’s experiences or in parenting styles are responsible for autism.
