Autism A.

Description Severe mental disorder beginning in infancy or toddlerhood Disorder apparent to the parents before the child is 3 years old Is characterized by impairment in reciprocal social interaction and in verbal and non-verbal communication Also called infantile autism B. Signs and Symptoms The child experiences a disturbance in the rate and appearance of physical, social, and language skills The child experiences abnormal responses of body sensations The child has abnormal ways of relating to persons, objects, and events; the child is self-absorbed and unable to relate to others The child has no delusions, hallucinations, or incoherence, and the facies is intelligent and responsive

The child may play happily alone for hours but have temper tantrums if interrupted

C. Causes The cause of autistic disorder remains unclear; but some theorists consider autistic disorder is related to:

Genetics- an increased risk of autistic disorder exists among siblings of individuals with the disorder

Neurological Factors- abnormalities in brain structures or functions have been correlated with autistic disorder

D. Complications Autistic disorder may be complicated by epileptic seizures Depression is common in adolescence and early adulthood During periods of stress, catatonic phenomena, such as excitement or posturing, or an undifferentiated psychotic state with delusions and hallucinations may occur E. Nursing Management Determine the childs routine, habits, and preferences and maintain consistency as much as possible Determine the specific ways in which the child communicates Facilitate communication through the use of picture boards Evaluate the child for safety Monitor for stress and anxiety Avoid placing demands on the child Initiate referrals to special programs as required Provide support to parents Implement safety precautions as necessary for self-injurious behaviors such as head banging