What Is Autism? Why do I need to register or sign in for WebMD to save?
We will provide you with a dropdown of all your saved articles when you are registered and signed in. Autism is a brain disorder that often makes it hard to communicate with and relate to others. With autism, the different areas of the brain fail to work together. Most people with autism will always have some trouble relating to others. But early diagnosis and treatment have helped more and more people who have autism to reach their full potential. Autism tends to run in families, so experts think it may be something that you inherit.
Other studies are looking at whether autism can be caused by other medical problems or by something in your child's surroundings. False claims in the news have made some parents concerned about a link between autism and vaccines. Symptoms almost always start before a child is 3 years old. Continue reading below... Symptoms of autism include: A delay in learning to talk, or not talking at all. Rett Syndrome. Why do I need to register or sign in for WebMD to save?
We will provide you with a dropdown of all your saved articles when you are registered and signed in. Rett syndrome is a rare, severe, "girls only" form of autism. It's usually discovered in the first two years of life, and a child's diagnosis with Rett syndrome can feel overwhelming. Although there's no cure, early identification and treatment may help girls and families who are affected by Rett syndrome. Who Gets Rett Syndrome? Rett syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that affects girls almost exclusively. In most cases of Rett syndrome, a child develops normally in early life. What Are the Symptoms of Rett Syndrome? Although it's not always detected, a slowing of head growth is one of the first events in Rett syndrome. Around 1 to 4 years of age, social and language skills deteriorate in a girl with Rett syndrome.
Rett syndrome also causes problems with muscles and coordination. Continue reading below... Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder that makes it very hard to interact with other people.
Your child may find it hard to make friends because he or she is socially awkward. People with Asperger's syndrome have some traits of autism. For example, they may have poor social skills, prefer routine, and not like change. But unlike those who have autism, children with Asperger's syndrome usually start to talk before 2 years of age, when speech normally starts to develop. Asperger's syndrome is a lifelong condition, but symptoms tend to improve over time. Both Asperger's syndrome and autism belong to the group of disorders called pervasive developmental disorders. The exact cause of Asperger's syndrome is not known. Asperger's syndrome is usually noticed at age 3 or later. Have a very hard time relating to others. If you are concerned about your child's behavior or communication style, talk to your child's doctor.
Signs.