Autism, we are led to believe is a developmental disability caused by dysfunction in the brain, little is known yet as to the exact cause and why there has been such a huge increase in diagnosis in recent years. Some say that it's genetic and there are other arguments to say that there are environmental triggers.

On 13 July 2008 BBC News ran a story about the latest research carried out by Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in south London. Their findings show that there may be as many as 1 in 100 people now diagnosed with autism. Ten years ago (1990's) the figures were estimated at 1 in 10,000. WhichWith issuch verya scaryhuge toincrease sayit thehas been said that autism least.is fast becoming an epidemic.

Professor Gillian Baird, who led the research, said: "Prevalence of autism and related ASDs is substantially higher than previously recognised. "Whether the increase is due to better ascertainment, broadening diagnostic criteria, or increased incidence is unclear.

In order to be diagnosed with Autism it is identified that you have problems in three main areas:

• Social interaction - The person may get very anxious in social situations, they may have a fear of busy places, or a sensitivity to noise. It has been said that a person with Autism is so finely tuned that they are unable to block out background noise and even the ticking of a clock or the buzz of electrical equipment can be tormenting for them. They can find it very difficult to understand the world around them and find it really hard to make friends.

• Social communication - The person will have problems with communication which can range from a delay in development of speech, a problem with understanding, repeating words without knowing what they mean (echolalia) they will have difficulty reading or communicating through non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, this can vary with each individual.

• Imagination - Children with Autism do not develop imaginative play the same as other children and some may never engage in imaginative play such as pretending to drive a car or dressing up pretending to be a Doctor, they usually take comfort in repetitive play such as watching the same part in a video over again or reading the same book from cover to cover.

Although the child will have problems in these three main areas, each child is individual and will have their own individual needs, wants, fears and abilities.

Autism is usually described as a spectrum as the traits can vary so much between each individual. Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism is usually referred to as the more able end of the spectrum, the person usually has average intelligence with fewer problems with language but still has problems with social communication and understanding social cues.

Kanner's or Classic Autism is said to be at the opposite end of the spectrum and can present with much more difficulties. People with classic autism have problems talking and relating to people. They can be hypersensitive to their environment. Certain sounds, colours and textures can upset them. They compulsively cling to rituals, such as eating the same foods or watching the same TV show every day at the same time. Changes in routine can upset them.

The word Autism was first used by Eugene Bleuler a Swiss Psychiatrist who used it to describe adult schizophrenia. In 1943 Doctor Leo Kanner carried out research on 11 children and he used the term to describe children who withdrew from human contact.

Aspergers syndrome is named after Hans Asperger an Austrian Paediatrician who in 1944 described children in his practice who poor non verbal communication skills and those who lacked empathy with their peers.

There are various other disorders or conditions within the spectrum, I hope this has given an insight into the world of ASD. There are lots of websites that can give information and support on Autism, please see my useful links page.