What Is Autism?

Autism, a brain disorder that affects 1 to 2 in 1,000 Americans with its onset in early childhood, too often results in a lifetime of impaired thinking, feeling and social functioning - our most uniquely human attributes. Autism typically affects a person's ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and respond appropriately to the world around them.

What Are the Symptoms of Autism?

Some people with autism are relatively high-functioning, with speech and intelligence intact, but others are mentally retarded, mute, or have serious language delays. For some, autism makes them seem closed off and shut down; others appear locked into repetitive behaviors and rigid patterns of thinking. An infant with autism may avoid eye contact, seem deaf, and abruptly stop developing language. The child may act as if unaware of the coming and going of others, or physically attack and injure others without provocation. Affected infants often remain fixated on a single item or activity, rock or flap their hands, sniff or lick toys, seem impervious to burns and bruises, and may even mutilate themselves. In addition to cognitive impairments, individuals with autism often suffer from multiple psychopathologies, including impulse-control disorders, psychoses, obsessive compulsive disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, and mental retardation.

Autism tends to run in families. in addition, research suggests that unaffected family members sometimes share with their ill relatives milder cognitive and behavioral characteristics similar to those of autism. However, specific genes for autism have not yet been identified.

What Treatments Are Available for Autism?

Both psychosocial and pharmacological interventions can improve the behavioral and cognitive functioning of individuals with autism. Ongoing studies are evaluating drug treatments for autism. These studies are examining dose range and regimen of medications, and their mechanisms of action, safety, efficacy, and effects on cognition, behavior, and development. Among psychosocial treatments for autism, parent training interventions that are tailored to the particular characteristics of the child and family are being studied.

Research has made it possible to identify earlier those children who show signs of developing autism and thus initiate early intervention. Both psychosocial and pharmacological interventions can improve the behavioral and cognitive functioning of individuals with autism.

For More Information

Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General can be viewed at www.surgeongeneral.gov

National Institute of Mental Health
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
Information Resources and Inquiries Branch
6001 Executive Blvd., Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: 301-443-4513
TTY: 301-443-8431
FAX: 301-443-4279
Mental Health FAX 4U: 301-443-5158
E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
NIMH home page address: www.nimh.nih.gov

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Center for Mental Health Services
Office of External Liaison
Room 15C-05, Parklawn Building
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: 301-443-2792
FAX: 301-443-5163
SAMHSA home page address: www.samhsa.gov

CMHS Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)
P.O. Box 42490
Washington, DC 20015
Phone: 1-800-789-2647
FAX: 301-984-8796
KEN home page address: www.mentalhealth.org

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mental Health: The Cornerstone of Health
Home page address: www.mentalhealth.org/cornerstone