Autism: An overview (ภาพรวมของโรคออทิสซึม)

Abstract

Autism is a type of pervasive developmental disorder characterized as an abnormality in the brain development. The present review focuses on the causes, diagnosis, pathophysiology theories and treatment interventions for autism. Up to the present the causes of autism are inconclusive, however, from available data, genes and chromosome may involve in the pathogenesis. Other factors are prenatal and postnatal environment such as food allergy, exposure to metals such as mercury and dysfunction in amygdala. Various diagnostic methods are used such as the national autism plan for children (NAPC), the checklist for autism in toddlers (CHAT) and multiagency assessment (MAA). Various interventions such as biologically based interventions, phychodynamic interventions, behavioral therapy, family-based interventions and complementary and alternative medications (CAM) are also presented.