Many folks have heard of Autism or know a family with an Autistic member. Perhaps you are like most folks and have asked yourself; "What is Autism?" Maybe that is what has led you to this article? If so, let me try to help you a bit.
When you ask me What is Autism? Well, indeed, this too turns out to be a difficult question to answer, but finally the professionals have come together and decided that Autism is a spectrum of disorders, where the lines between are fuzzy and often overlapping. Almost to the point that each individual case is different and must be dealt with on an individual basis, thus you can see why this stretches the patience of the one-size-fits all, no-child-left behind, school systems. Here is a more simplistic answer to question; what is Autism:
Autism is a complex neurological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime.
Autism now includes similarly related disorders that are classified as Autism Spectrum Disorders -ASD, also called Autism Spectrum Conditions - ASC and PDD or Passive Development Disorders? Perhaps you have heard of Asperser's Syndrome, this is mild for form of PDD. Rett Syndrome although rare and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder also fall within the ASD classification. Then there is Tubular Sclerosis and Fragile X Syndrome.
So, when you ask; What is Autism? It is a lot of things and you can probably see that there is a lot to learn. Awareness is critical to understanding and it is going to take all of us alert our populations to these serious issues. I hope you will join me in becoming more educated on the Autism Challenge and spread the word? Perhaps these web links may help you better understand?
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/nimhautismspectrum.pdf
National Autism Association: http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/
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