Autism and Your Child

What is autism?

Autism is a brain disorder. People with autism have trouble communicating and interacting with other people. A child with autism may seem very withdrawn, may not make eye contact with people, may not talk or play the way other children do, or may repeat certain motions or behaviors over and over again.

Signs of autism can vary from person to person. They can also be worse in some people than in others. People can be said to have "low-functioning autism" or "high-functioning autism," depending upon the severity of their symptoms and the results of an IQ (intelligence) test. Some of the more common signs are listed in the box below.

What causes autism?

Doctors aren't sure what causes autism. Some studies have shown that the cause is genetic (runs in families). Certain medical problems or something in your child's surroundings may also play a role. In many cases, the cause of a child's autism is never known. Boys are more likely than girls to have autism. As doctors continue to study autism, they may learn more about what causes it.

Can vaccines cause autism?

No. Good research has shown that there is no link between autism and childhood vaccinations ("shots") like the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Vaccines are an important part of your child's health. If you have any concerns about the safety of vaccines, talk to your doctor.

How is autism diagnosed?

There is no lab test that can detect autism. Autism is often diagnosed when a baby or toddler doesn't behave as expected for his or her age. If your doctor thinks your child has autism, he or she will probably suggest that your child see a child psychiatrist or other specialist. The specialist will probably test your child to see if he or she shows signs of autism.
If my child has autism, does it mean that he or she is mentally retarded?

Many children with autism are also mentally retarded, but others are not. It can be hard to test autistic children because they do not respond to questions in the same way other children do. An autism expert can give your child special tests that will tell you more about his or her condition.