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Do you know anybody who has autism? Maybe you know someone at your school or in your family who has it. They may shrink away from other people and not talk very much. They may not seem to be paying attention to things or people around them, or they may show strange or inappropriate behavior. Autism is a fairly common brain disorder (1 out of 500 people have it) that usually appears in early childhood. It is more common among boys than among girls. For a person with autism, it is difficult to communicate with others and relate to the outside world. As kids, they may not be able to play normally, make friends, or learn to speak well. They may not respond to gestures or facial expressions. Little noises, touches, or smells may cause them a lot of distress. Some autistic people may seem to be obsessed with a certain thing, idea, or person or may have repetitive speech or body movements. Autism can be mild to severe, and not all autistic people have the same symptoms. Doctors don't know exactly what causes autism, and currently there is no cure, although there are some therapies that help autistic people reach out to others more and improve their language skills. Some people with mild autism can learn to live independently. Although rare, some people with autism have extraordinary abilities known as savant skills. Some autistic children are able to create detailed artwork at an age when most children are just starting to scribble. Others learn to read early, play musical instruments they have never been taught, or put together complex jigsaw puzzles. Still others have amazing memories and can, for example, recite books or television shows word for word, as shown by Dustin Hoffman's character in the movie Rain Man. One accomplished woman with autism, Temple Grandin, went on to earn a doctorate in animal science and became an inventor of equipment for handling livestock. However, most people with autism do not have savant skills. Most kids with autism attend school. Although many take special education classes, others may take regular classes like you. You may attend school with someone who has autism, or maybe you're growing up with an autistic sibling. Dealing with kids with autism may seem frustrating, but with the help, kindness, and understanding of others, kids with autism can show improvement. During National Autism Awareness Month and after, take the time to educate yourself and others about this disorder and to encourage respect for all individuals, regardless of the challenges they face. To learn more about autism, visit www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/brain/autism.html |
