Q: What is Autism?
A: Autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders may be characterized by difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in attention or motor coordination, and other physical health issues such as sleep or gastrointestinal disturbances. Some individuals with ASD may excel in visual skills, music, math and art and may or may not be academically on par with their peer group. Autism has its roots in early brain development. However, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 12 and 18 months of age.
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Q: What causes Autism?
A: There is no one cause of Autism. Most cases involve a complex and variable combination of genetic risk and environmental factors that influence early brain development. Research has identified more than a hundred autism risk genes. Research also connects environmental risk factors involving events before and during birth. These include advanced parental age of one or both parents at time of conception, extreme prematurity and very low birth weight and certain difficulties during birth, particularly those involving periods of oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain and maternal illness during pregnancy. Exposure to high levels of pesticides and air pollution by mothers during pregnancy may also be at higher risk of having a child with ASD. These environmental variables do not cause autism in and of themselves. They appear, rather, to modestly increase risk in combination with genetic risk factors.
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Employing the Full Spectrum How employees with autism are helping one business thrive.
https://upstanders.starbucks.com/episodes/06-employing-the-full-spectrum.html?utm_source=N5776.186294OUTBRAININC&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=upstanders MY AUTISM AND ME - Video - Please Clink the link to view the following video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejpWWP1HNGQ |