What is autism?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disease usually diagnosed in the first three years of a child's life. It is marked by social interaction and communication difficulties, as well as confined and repetitive conduct.

What are the signs and symptoms of autism?

• inability to interact socially
• both verbal and nonverbal communication
• limited interests 
• routines that insist on the sameness
• replacing regular, responsive discourse with repeated words or sentences
• even when talking directly, there is little or no eye contact.
• laughing and/or crying for no particular reason
• impaired motor skills

What are the causes of autism?

Although the causation of autism is unknown, it is widely assumed that it is caused by a combination of circumstances: genetic, environmental, metabolic, and neurological conditions that affect brain function.

What is the treatment of autism?

• occupational therapy
• speech and language therapy
• psychoactive drug