Autism, archetype of the autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by socially aloof behavior and impairment of language and social interaction. Its prevalence has surged in recent years. Advanced functional brain imaging has confirmed pervasive neurologic involvement. Parent involvement in autism management has accelerated understanding and treatment. Often accompanied by epilepsy, cognitive deficits, or other neurologic impairment, autism manifests in the first three years of life and persists into adulthood. Its etiopathology is poorly defined but likely multifactorial with heritability playing a major role. Prenatal toxic exposures (teratogens) are consistent with autism spectrum symptomatology. Frequent vaccinations with live virus and toxic mercurial content (thimerosal) are a plausible etiologic factor. Autistic children frequently have abnormalities of sulfoxidation and sulfation that compromise liver detoxification, which may contribute to the high body burden of xenobiotics frequently found.( Bennetto L, Pennington BE Rogers SJ.)
Individuals with autism tend to have extreme difficulty learning from experience and modifying their behavior to accommodate varying situations. Coping with the unpredictability of the social world is especially demanding, even overwhelming, for adults with autism; associated anxiety exacerbates the problem. Adult individuals with autism have life outcomes that range from complete dependence to (rarely) successful employment. Most are able to benefit from structured training programs with marked improvement in their quality of life. Autism has become epidemic in the industrialized societies. In the United States, autism was relatively rare until the early 1990s, after which its prevalence increased by at least double, and more likely 3-5 times. Similar steep increases in prevalence have been recorded in the United Kingdom. The gender ratio is 3-4:1 boys to girls. Since every autistic child has a major impact on the family, school system, and community, this epidemic calls for compassion, sensitivity, and maximum assistance from society as a whole. (Bennetto L, Pennington BE Rogers SJ.)...............
