Autism Is, if Not the Foremost, One

Autism is, if not the foremost, one of the most well-known of the disorders among the pervasive developmental disorders list. The conditions are so marked through a set of communicative and social malfunctions in an early age that autism has been commonly diagnosed among children less than three years of age. The disorder is known to statistically affect 1 in 1,000 births for prototypical autism, while autism spectrum disorders can be found in 4 in 1,000 births (Klin, Ami). Around 60% to 70% of those diagnosed with autism display range of mental retardation; however, studies have also indicated that this percentage is gradually decreasing due to further study on the subject.

The diagnosis of autism is usually reliant on a number of behavioral criteria. Studies performed on diagnosed autistic behavior usually determine severity by using three different tools for prognosis: the Pervasive Development Disorder Behavior Inventory, the Autism Evaluation Treatment Checklist, and the Severity of Autism Scale (Lee, Wondra). There are at least four criteria defining a cluster of social interaction impairment for autism. One indicates the obvious impairment with regards to the nonverbal methods of social and communicative engagement. Another affects the development wherein the subject fails to manifest proper relationships with one's peers. A third indicates the lack of experience and communication behaviors. The fourth is a lack of "social or emotional reciprocity" (Klin, Ami). Furthermore, there are also evident delays regarding the spoken language, wherein the autistic individual resorts to the use of nonverbal gestures, as well as displays an inability to maintain conversation with others. Autistic individuals are also identified by the "stereotyped and repetitive use of language," as well as a "lack of spontaneous make-believe or social imitative play" (Klin, Ami). Abnormal development can also be observed through abnormal development regarding the social behaviors of children in the first three years of the children's lives.

Autism affects the neural network as well as the metabolic network of the individual in question. Numerous studies have focused on the disorder affecting mitochondria, wherein mitochondrial production has become abnormal relative to an onset of autism. One research has observed that production of ATP, NADH, and NADPH was abnormal and much lower than regular levels in subjects that have been diagnosed with autism (Lee, Wondra). Other studies face indicated impairment in the production of various proteins and amino acids within the body. There have been observations that those diagnosed with autism have "impaired methylation, decreased glutathione, and oxidative stress," and that the studies also pinpoint that these nutritional supplements are beneficial for the body; therefore, abnormal production of such supplements causes the body to degenerate (Lee, Wondra). In one joint U.S. And Canada study, 8% to as much as 16% of those diagnosed with autism were found to be anemic.