According to a recent study (2007), conducted by the U. S. Center for Disease Control, it was determined that one in every 150 children will be diagnosed with some form of autism. The purpose of this guide is to provide parents with information which will aid them in determining if their child may be at risk.

A very simple definition of autism is a brain disorder, which can become apparent in the first 3 years of life. It has been noted that some symptoms of the brain disorder may be detected as early as birth or during the first few months of life for the infant. In most cases though, the child is not diagnosed with the disease until at least 12 months or older.

This disorder adversely affects the child's communication and social skills. The majority of paediatricians will advise parents, during the first three to six months of the child's life, that they will begin to observe certain milestones in the baby's normal development such as:

- Smiling.

- Responding to the parent's voice.

- Sounds of pleasure (laughing, cooing etc.).

- Ability to focus attention on a noise or sound.

- Ability to recognize faces

These skills and many others will then continue to increase during the first few years of development of the infant. A child who does not show the ability to develop these skills or is slower than other children, during this phase of development, may be showing signs of autism.

For many parents though, it is difficult to recognize what may well be a symptom and what is not. Below are just a few of the symptoms of the brain disorder known as autism.

1. Communication skills:

- Lack of ability to focus eyes on objects other people are focusing on.

- Lack of language skills or not speaking at all.

- No motor skills for pointing out objects to others.

(This motor skill should develop in the first 12 to 14 months)

- Will use gestures only to communicate.

2. Interaction with others:

- Resist bodily contact such as hugging, holding hands, kissing.

- Avoids other children and adults.

- Has no empathy for others.

3. Behavior Problems:

- Sever and frequent temper tantrums

- Shows tendency to harm others or self.

- May be hyperactive or extremely passive.

- Able to concentrate for very short periods of time.

4. Stimulation of the five senses:

- Lack of response to loud noises.

- May avoid touching or body contact.

- Constantly touching, rubbing or licking physical surfaces.

- Little or no sense of danger.

- Oversensitive to or lack of sense of pain

- May demonstrate pronounced or lack of response to the five senses.

These are just a few of the symptoms demonstrated by a child which could be diagnosed with some form of autism. If a parent observes these and other symptoms the parent should seek medical advice from a qualified physician. For further reading and a link to our favorite Autism Guide, please drop by our site at http://www.autismguidesite.com