Infantile autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as repetitive and restrictive behaviors. The spelling of "infantile autism" is pronounced in fan-tɪl-aʊ-tɪzəm, with stress on the syllables "fan" and "tɪl." The word "autism" comes from the Greek word "autos," meaning "self," and is characterized by a difficulty in social interaction and communication. Early intervention and appropriate support can greatly improve outcomes for individuals with infantile autism.
Infantile autism, also known as autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, communication difficulties, and repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior. It typically begins in early childhood, before the age of three, and persists throughout a person's lifetime.
Individuals with infantile autism often have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with others and may struggle with understanding and reciprocating social cues and norms. They may have limited eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures and may not engage in typical back-and-forth conversation. Communication difficulties may range from delayed speech development to complete absence of verbal language. Many individuals with infantile autism may engage in repetitive movements or behaviors, such as rocking, spinning, or hand-flapping, and may display intense interests in a particular topic.
Infantile autism is believed to have a multifactorial etiology, with a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributing to its development. While there is currently no known cure for autism, early intervention and a variety of therapeutic approaches, such as behavioral, speech and language, and occupational therapies, can help individuals with infantile autism to improve social, communication, and functional skills.
It is important to note that the term "infantile autism" is an older term that has largely been replaced by the broader term "autism spectrum disorder" to better capture the range of symptoms and severity seen in individuals with this condition.
The term "infantile autism" originated in the early 20th century to describe a developmental disorder primarily affecting young children.
The word "infantile" derives from the Latin word "infans", which means "unable to speak", "speechless", or "child who does not yet speak". This term reflects the observation that children with autism often struggle with language and communication skills, particularly in the early stages of development.
The term "autism" was first used by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, but it took on a different meaning at that time compared to its current usage. Bleuler used "autism" to describe a characteristic of schizophrenia, referring to a tendency for individuals to be withdrawn or self-absorbed, often detaching themselves from external reality.