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Article Excerpt
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
In the last few decades, autism has become a household name. Americans are now more aware than ever of this debilitating illness affecting young children. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual's classification lists autistic disorder as a qualitative impairment in social interaction and communication, with restrictive, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns in behaviors and interests, and with an onset prior to 3 years of age.
Autism Spectrum Disorders (also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders) refer to autism, Rett's disorder, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders not otherwise specified (NOS). In a recent study, Autism Spectrum Disorders were found to affect 1 out of 162 children aged 8 years old (Nicholas et al., 2008).
Currently, genetic factors (autism is found in siblings at a rate 50 times higher than the general population), developmental factors (such as complications of pregnancy), immunological factors, temporal lobe abnormalities, decreased Purkinje cell counts in the cerebellum, and high levels of plasma serotonin are implicated in its etiology (Kaplan, Sadock, & Gregg, 1994). Although an increased brain volume, and...
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