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Many myths about autism exist. Some are obsolete theories that current research has proven false, yet they are still spread by people who are supposedly authoritative and knowledgeable in the field. Most are overly broad generalizations about autism characteristics that apply to only select individuals with autism.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first few years of a child’s life. Autism has had a name for more than 50 years, but only recently has it had a definition. The disorder was first described in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner, an American psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins University, who applied the term autism to a group of children who were self-absorbed and displayed behavioral, communicative and social problems. The word autism stems from the Greek word autos, which means “self.” Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, first applied this term to schizophrenics who appeared to have their own style of thinking, the type of thinking that revolves around oneself.

The disorder impacts the normal development of the brain in areas which control communication skills and social interaction. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that the characteristics and symptoms of the disorder range from mild to severe and vary in intensity. Children with autism may have repeated body movements, unusual interactions with people, attachment to objects and resist change to routines. It is estimated that 1,500,000 people in the United States today have autism or a similar pervasive developmental disorder. Additionally, autism is four times more prevalent in males than females. As a result, autism is one of the most widespread developmental disabilities. Yet most people, including many professionals in related fields, remain uninformed as to how autism affects people.

Symptoms of autism usually begin during infancy. Autistic infants typically show little interest in other people, including immediate family members. This includes an inability to develop normal relationships with family members and other children, in part because they are almost completely unaware of the feelings and needs of other people. They also lack typical social behaviors, such as making eye contact.

Moreover, autistic children typically play alone. These children often partake in activities and games that are excessively repetitious, such as repeatedly turning the television on and off, or staring at toys and objects that spin. In addition, many autistic children engage in repetitious body movements, such as flapping their arms and rocking back and forth. Some autistic children are self-injurious and engage in movements that are harmful to themselves, including repeatedly banging their head. Often, these self-injurious actions occur because these children become upset at minor changes in their daily routines and their environment.

Approximately three out of every four autistic children are classified as having mental retardation. In addition, the vast majority of autistic children also have difficulties with language. In fact, many children with autism never learn to speak. Children with the disability may also demonstrate echolalia, mechanically repeating words or phrases that other people say.

Autistic children who score highly on intelligence tests are considered to have high-functioning autism. A very small percentage of children with autism have extraordinary talents such as the ability to remember abstract information or illegally count cards, which was evidenced in the popular movie “Rainman.” These individuals with autism are referred to as autistic savants.

Scientists today are still unsure as to what exactly causes autism. It was once believed that parents caused a child’s autism by rejecting a child or traumatizing a child in such a way that the child was forced to retreat into his or her own world. This theory lacked any scientific validity and was quickly dismissed.

However, more recent evidence indicates that autism results from biological abnormalities in brain structure and function. Researchers have found that autistic people have a drastically reduced number of certain blood cells and abnormally low blood flow to certain parts of the brain. In addition, researchers have linked a lack of oxygen at birth to a possible cause for the disorder.

Another theory views autism primarily as a problem of cognition that is due to an inability to express emotions, share experiences and communicate in a normal fashion. The majority of researchers believe that people with the disorder lack “a theory of the mind,” which includes being aware of the beliefs and feelings of other people. As a result, autistic people are unable to predict and interpret the actions of others, which can lead to difficulties in social interaction. Nonetheless, most experts dismiss this theory, stating that autism appears at such an early age and that no children at this age have a concept of the minds of others.

There is no cure for autism, but there are treatments that reduce symptoms and significantly help people with autism function better. However, there is no single treatment that works for everyone because individuals respond in different ways. Among the most common treatments are medication and behavior modification.

Behavior modification involves analyzing the cause of an undesirable behavior, then using rewards and punishments or other approaches to replace the behavior with a more appropriate response. For example, children who bang their head due to anxiety about a situation can be taught to say “stop.” Doctors often prescribe antipsychotic drugs and other medications to reduce self-abusive behavior, such as head banging. Some individuals with autism benefit from drugs that adjust levels of brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. These medications are often successful in reducing unnecessary body movements and other compulsive behaviors.

Federal law in the United States requires that early intervention services are provided for children aged one to three with autism and other disabilities. These services attempt to help children with autism develop academic and social skills in the hopes of lessening the disorder’s long-term effects. Children with autism attend either regular or special education classes and follow individual education plans.

There is no “typical type” of child with autism. The disorder knows no ethnic, racial or social boundaries and is not affected by family values, level of education or lifestyle. It is important to understand that these people can learn and function productively in society.