Researchers believe the increase may be due, in part, to better recognition of symptoms and earlier diagnosis. It's been more than 50 years since autism was first described, and that description has changed little since. But physicians are now diagnosing the condition earlier, intervention is taking place sooner and newer drugs are helping children and their caretakers cope with this devastating disorder. Socioeconomic and educational levels have no bearing on whose children have the disorder, and neither does race and ethnicity. In most cases, the cause is uncertain, and so far, there is no cure.
Most researchers agree, the key symptom is the deficit in social interaction.
Parents often report that as infants, their autistic children didn't smile or respond to voices, made almost no eye contact with them and stiffened when they were held. As the child grows, he may not respond to anyone around him and may not attempt to form friendships with peers. If he does involve someone else in his play, it's only as a tool. He may perform stereotypical motor movements, such as flapping the hands, rocking, pacing, repetitive finger movements or twirling on his feet. Some repetitive actions are more complex, like flipping light switches or flushing toilets.