| Autism Spectrum Disorders are neurological conditions | | | | than 50% of children aren't properly diagnosed with a |
| that affect the mental, physical development and the | | | | neurological disorder until they reach ages of three to |
| behaviors, communication skills and social interactions | | | | five years. |
| of people who suffer from such a disorder. Autism | | | | Children diagnosed with a form of Autism Spectrum |
| Spectrum Disorders range from milder forms of | | | | Disorders have poor social interaction skills, deficits in |
| neurological disturbances to serious conditions, such | | | | verbal and non-verbal communication and stereotype, |
| as autism. Lots of children are diagnosed with forms | | | | routine oriented behaviors. Furthermore, children with |
| of Autism Spectrum Disorders at birth, while others | | | | such disorders experience difficulties in the way they |
| reveal the symptoms of such disorders in their first | | | | perceive external stimuli. According to the gravity of |
| years of life. | | | | the disorder, the child will tend to be more or less |
| The incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders with | | | | affected by certain symptoms. People that suffer |
| children is so great, that it exceeds other conditions | | | | from Autism Spectrum Disorders have several |
| like diabetes, meningitis and Down syndrome. Due to | | | | common traits. However, each individual experiences |
| the large numbers of children that develop forms of | | | | the disorder in a different way and it is a mistake to |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders, it is very important to | | | | try to generalize the symptoms of Autism Spectrum |
| quickly spot the signs of such conditions. Children with | | | | Disorders to all patients. |
| neurological disorders need special attention and | | | | Children with forms of Autism spectrum Disorders |
| sometimes they require permanent monitoring, as in | | | | develop differently from normal children. Sometimes, |
| the case of children with severe autism. Also, speed | | | | the first signs of neurological disorders are revealed |
| is vital, as children with Autism Spectrum Disorders | | | | right after birth. In other cases, behavioral |
| need specific medical treatment in order to minimize | | | | abnormalities are revealed later, at different stages in |
| undesirable effects. | | | | childhood. Sometimes, autistic children seem to grow |
| A disturbing fact is the lack of attention paid to | | | | normally and have good communication and social |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders. Poor information and lack | | | | interaction skills until they reach a certain age. Then, |
| of experience determine most parents, caretakers, | | | | they suddenly begin to show the signs of the |
| teachers, physicians and even pediatricians to ignore | | | | disorder, as their behaviors tend to change and their |
| the first symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders. | | | | skills considerably deteriorate. This disorder is called |
| They sometimes believe that children with such | | | | regressive autism and it is considered to be a very |
| disorders only experience difficulties in growth and | | | | serious form of Autism Spectrum Disorders, |
| therefore fail to correctly diagnose Autism Spectrum | | | | determining dramatic changes at behavioral levels. |
| Disorders at early ages. Despite the fact that prompt | | | | Although the actual causes of Autism Spectrum |
| intervention greatly minimizes the symptoms and the | | | | Disorders haven't yet been clarified, many severe, |
| malign effects of Autism Spectrum Disorders, | | | | malign effects of neurological disorders can be kept |
| increasing the child's chances to grow normally, more | | | | under control and if they are discovered in time. |