Expert: James Michael Roan - 9/12/2005

Question
Mr. Roan,
My name is Matthew and I have a sister with autism and aspbergers. I would like to ask you a few questions about autism for a research paper I am writing. I would greatly apprectiate it if you would be willing to take the time to reply. In the interest of time, I have included my questions at the bottom of this email. Also, if you are willing to let me use your name in any part of my research paper please let me know.

Thanks a lot,
Matthew

My Questions:
1.   What is Autism?

2.   Who does it affect?

3.   What causes it?

4.   What are some symptoms?

5.   What careers might an autistic person consider?

6.   What diseases are associated with autism?
is autism the same as aspbergers? what are the similarities, and what are the differences?
7.   What kind of behaviors do autistic individuals display?
8.   How can people with autism be helped?

9.   What kind of life can most people with autism expect?
10.   How do YOU interact with an autistic individual(s)?


Answer
Hello Matthew:

1. What is Autism?
Autism, according to the DSM-IV, consists of qualitative abnormalities in social interaction and communication along with stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. The symptoms must be present before age 3.

2. Who does it affect?
According to the National Autistic Society's projections for 2005: 1 in 166 children will be affected in the U.S. with similar prevalence rates around the world.

3. What causes it?
Environmental and genetic factors combined.

4. What are some symptoms?
Low social interest and deficits in sharing behaviors such as bringing food or objects of interest to others, no pointing to objects of interest. Low eye contact, low social smiles, low social interest, low use of nonverbal communicative behaviors such as gestures, nodding, waving goodbye, etc. Late development of language. Poor motor coordination. These are just to name a few.

5. What careers might an autistic person consider?
Anything they want to do. Generally, because of low social cognition and social skills, autistic adults prefer careers that don't involve a good deal of politics and social sophistication.

6. What diseases are associated with autism?
Children often have sensory delays and some have gastrointestinal problems. Early assessment should include Fragile X testing and testing for lead poisoning. Epilepsy is common. I know of no true disease specific to autism.

Is autism the same as aspergers?
Many excellent researchers see High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome as the same thing.

So what are the similarities, and what are the differences? That requires too long of a description!

7. What kind of behaviors do autistic individuals display?
That requires too long of a description!

8. How can people with autism be helped?
With kindness and respect for the extreme challenges they face from the moment they wake to the moment they sleep.

9. What kind of life can most people with autism expect?
They should expect to have the same dreams and same life we all expect. They need help getting there.

10. How do YOU interact with an autistic individual(s)?
As I would with any human being: I work hard to communicate and to know them as the individuals they are.

I hope this helps somewhat.

Kind Regards,
James