Its 30C in Canterbury, the hottest it has been since 2006 and it’s raining for the rest of the week. So, in honour of this sunny randomness, here are 30 random facts about Autism.
1. Autism is more common than cancer, diabetes and AIDS, in children, COMBINED.
2. Specialists are the condition as ‘Autisms‘ because every person on the spectrum is different.
3. Approximately 68 million people are affected by autism in the world.
4. An infant can display the three red flags of Autism: communication lockdown, impaired social interactions, and repetitive behaviour.
5. Research has shown that the area of the brain called the ‘amygdala’ was on average 13% larger children with autism.
6. Large multinational companies are launching programmes to hire more people on the spectrum for the first time.
7. There is no blood test, no scan, that can diagnose Autism; it’s solely reliant on behavioural observation.
8. In 1998, a theory emerged that the MMR vaccine caused autism. Specifically, the theory argued that the vaccine lingered in the gut, causing gastrointestinal problems which led to Autism. It was quickly discredited and debunked.
9. Children with Autism may often suffer from other conditions like fragile X-syndrome, epilepsy, tuberous sclerosis, Tourettes, learning disabilities, and ADD.
10. Some children on the spectrum have a reduced sensitivity to pain but some are sensitive to sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation; each leads to sensory deprivation or sensory overload.
11. Dogs can improve their quality of life, teaching them affection, independence, and safety. They can help with aggressive behaviour, socialising, exercise.
12. According to the Journal of the American Association of Pediatrics, mothers of autistic children are noted for their remarkable strengths in creating parent-child relationships and advocating social support.
13. The word comes from the Greek word “eautos” meaning “self,” autism means alone.
14. There is a debate on whether Autism is a disability or merely a different kind of personality.
15. Divorce rates are high in families with an autistic child. Research suggests ensuring that, above all, an autistic child receives appropriate health care, and the parents find a support system with other families of Autism.
16. 34% of children with autism say that the worst thing about being at school is being picked on.
17. In the United States, one in 98 boys are diagnosed with autism, in the UK 1 in 68.
18. Late diagnosis in adults on the spectrum has increased significantly in the last decade.
19. Autism was initially called “Early Infantile Autism” or “Kanner’s Syndrome.”
20. More boys are diagnosed with Autism more than girls. research suggests that the problem lies with the X chromosome, of which boys only have one.
21. In families with one autistic child, the risk of having a second child with the disorder is approximately 5%.
22. Early diagnosis is key. if a they don’t babble or coo by 12 months, don’t respond to their name, point or wave by 12 months, don’t repeat single words by 16 months, don’t socialise with other children say by 24 months, or loses previously acquired language or social skills at any age are red flags for Autism.
23. Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, termed “Autism” but applied it to adult schizophrenia. In 1943, the term was redefined by Leo Kanner who dissociated Autism from schizophrenia to create the framework we work within today.
24. Children born to men of 40 years + are said to be almost six times more likely to be on the spectrum.
25. The Autism Spectrum is made up of Asperger’s syndrome, PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified), Rett Syndrome, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and many more.
26. Only 15% of adults with autism in the UK are in full-time paid employment.
27. In the case of twins, if one identical twin is diagnosed with Autism, the other twin has about 90% chance of developing an autistic disorder.
28. Chelation therapy, removing mercury from the body, is a popular alternative treatment for Autism.
29. Mothers who have diabetes, arthritis, and celiac disease are 3 times more likely to have a child with Autism.
30. Another theory is that chromosome 16 can create a glitch in DNA “morpheus” genes; these are genes that changed quickly during evolution. So, the genes that helped evolve human intelligence and their malformality may contribute to Autism.
Learn about Autism, right now we have more questions than answers. Don’t be quick to label personality traits as a disability.
Just a boy 
Thanks for sharing this with us. I have sent you a note via our Timeline – would love permission to reprint on our news site… please contact me if this OK – Roberta