Autism is usually present by the age of three. It can result from certain events before or shortly after birth. These events include infection of the brain with the herpes virus and infection of the mother with the rubella virus.

Large scale problems with brain structure are also associated with autism. These problems include hydrocephalus or water on the brain. Sometimes a tumor may be present, but this is rare. "In 1998 a study was held to see if the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella increase the risk of having autism. After being reviewed by both the Medical Research Council of Great Britian and the Center for Disease Control they ruled out the possibility of these vaccines causing autism." (WebMD)

Researchers have found several abnormalties in the brain. They are dysfunction in the neural structure and abnormal biochemistry. Two doctors named Bauman and Kemper examined post-mortem brains of s

Doctors can run a couple different tests to try and check for autism. They can test the hearin by doing various tests such as an audio gram and a typonogram. These can indicate whether a child has a hearig impairment. Doctors can also run an electoenecphalogram or EEG. An EEG measures brain waves that can show seizure disorders. In addition an EEG may indicate tumors or other brain abnormalities. They also can run metabolic screening. This tests a childs blood and urine to see how their food metabolises and it's impact on growth and development. Some autism disorders can be treated by a special diet. Another test they run is magnetic resonance imaging or MRI. A MRI involves using magnetic sensing equipment to create an image of the brain in fine detail. Computer assisted axial tomography or a CAT scan is a xray tube that rotates around a person taking thousands of pictures that are sent to a computer. They also do genetic testing. That is a blood test that looks for abnormalities in the genes which could cause a developmental disability.

Parents should become concerned if as a baby the child doesn't cuddle, make eye contact or respond to affection. Abnormal responces to a combonation of sences such as balance, hearing, smell and taste are also signs. They may also have trouble with two way relationships.

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