Autism is a spectrum disorder where symptoms and characteristics can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe and in any combination. A high functioning individual with autism might simply seem eccentric, a loner. More severely affected individuals may hardly communicate and prefer to function primarily in "their own world". Most individuals fall in the middle of the spectrum.

No . Names are not being collected. They are not needed to know how many people have this syndrome. We do need to ensure that we do not enter a person twice (if they receive a diagnosis by two or more diagnosticians). We are asking the person reporting to use a designated standard method of coding for the cases that will allow the names to remain confidential.

Autism spectrum disorder (or ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability. The term spectrum disorder is used to describe the group of developmental disorders that includes autism, high functioning autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).

Though the presentation of symptoms with Autism can vary quite a bit, there are specific behaviors necessary for diagnosing it. Impairment in reciprocal social interaction must be present. We often envision a child with Autism as avoiding eye contact or perhaps as using people as they would inanimate objects. Communicative deficits also must be present for an ASD to be diagnosed.

Contact your pediatrician and ask for a referral for a possible diagnosis. Most children are diagnosed by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or psychiatrists. Early intervention is crucial for your child's prognosis. While you are waiting for your appointment you may want to investigate some of the diagnostic tools used to screen for autism, such as the CHAT. A link to a full description of this can be found here. Remember, this is a screen, not a definitive diagnostic tool.

First, remember that there is something you can do. If you are in California, contact your local regional center and start the process to become eligible for services. If your child is over three years old you may also want to contact your local school district for the options they may provide.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs), cause severe and pervasive impairment in thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. These disorders are usually first diagnosed in early childhood and range from a severe form, called autistic disorder, through pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), to a much milder form, Asperger syndrome.

A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, who developed sensory integration theory and therapy, and another well-known occupational therapist, Lorna Jean King, believe that many children with autism also have Sensory Processing Disorder.

A power spectrum is the distribution of light energy at different wavelengths. This can be viewed as a graph where the vertical axis is energy and the horizontal axis is wavelength.

Yes. First, learn all you can about your illness by reading books, going to lectures and talking to your doctor. Get support from others who also have the illness. The Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association is a good place to look for a support group in your area. In these groups, you can hear how others face the challenges of life and manage their mood and treatment medications. For helpful hints for managing your illness, see Coping With Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar disorder (commonly referred to as manic-depression) is a major affective disorder in which an individual alternates between states of deep depression and extreme euphoria (mania).

autoimmune disorder is any of a number of conditions in which a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues, and the person's immune system produces antibodies to them. An autoimmune disorder is NOT an "immune deficiency". In the case of vitiligo, we believe that the immune system probably sees the person's own pigment cells as foreign bodies, and attacks them, destroying them or weakening them.

ANRED, a national organization for Eating Disorders, supplies lots of information on anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating.

Amazon] Basic Photovoltaic Principles and Methods: Solar Energy Research Institute by Kenneth Zweibel, Paul Hersch

Below is a list of frequently asked questions concerning environmental health and autism, and related issues.

The RDI® Program can also be helpful with a number of problems like 'stimming', limited motivation for communication and disorganized behavior. However, children can have Autism, Asperger's Syndrome or PDD along with other serious medical disorders. Part of developing a comprehensive program is evaluating these related problem areas and designing a bio-psychosocial intervention plan that, along with the RDI® Program, cares for the whole child.

Autism is a brain condition, present from birth, which affects the way the brain processes information. In 1995, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that autism probably results from a genetic susceptibility that involves multiple genes. A variety of factors could be associated with some forms of autism, including infectious, metabolic, genetic, neurological, and environmental factors.