Autism
Autism is a neurological development impairment that may be characterized (the symptoms can vary by each individual) by:
- Difficulty in understanding verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Difficult or absent social interaction.
- Aversion to routine changes
- Repetitive movements or actions.
- Abnormal sensitivities to the physical senses—sight, smell, taste, hearing, touch, colors, pain, temperature.
- Zealous focus on hobbies.
- Anxieties resulting from specific triggers.
- Meltdowns and shutdowns.
The symptoms of Autism were first described by Leo Kanner in 1943 (Kanner Syndrome), who considered it very rare.
About 23 years later (1966), Victor Lotter published an epidemiological study that determined an overall prevalence of the condition to be 9 per 20,000, or almost 1 in every 2,000 children.
This incidence has increased steadily over the years, and now the current estimate is that 1 in every 36 children will be diagnosed with Autism. There is no indication that the increase will abate.
Many factors have been suggested, and there could be a variety of influences, but vaccination seems to be the most consistent predictor of the condition. Many efforts have been made to discredit the link, but the body of evidence pointing to this outcome has now grown tremendously.
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