Health Tip: Signs of Autism

(HealthDay News) -- Autism, a complex neurological disease, often appears in infants as a lack of responsiveness to others.

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says symptoms of the disease include:

• Impaired social interaction, which can range from inability to connect with others, to an obsessive focusing on one thing to the exclusion of anything else.
• Problems with verbal or nonverbal communication.
• Repetitive behaviors, such as rocking or twirling.
• Failing to respond to one''s name and avoiding eye contact.

Researchers do not know what causes autism, though there may be a genetic link.

There is no cure for autism. But some with the disorder can improve with therapy.

-- Deborah DiSesa Hirsch

Last Updated: Feb. 21, 2006