The
Science of Autism
While a diagnosis
of autism may explain mysterious regressions in a child’s
behavior, it also signals a sudden shift to a profoundly
different future for both child and parents. A hopeful
birthright promising a smooth progression through school
and rites of passage is replaced with struggle. The
simple, hopeful joys of parenthood are overshadowed
with worry and uncertainty.
Though the question of what
causes autism is still unanswered, promising recent
advances in brain research
offer new hope. Contrary to popular belief, we now
know that autism is not a single descriptive condition,
but rather a heterogeneous range of ‘behaviors’ with
many subtypes; that people with autism are not by
definition retarded and in fact that the disability
often masks
intelligence behind unusual mannerisms and difficulty
with spoken communication; that the classification
of autism does not preclude individuals from overcoming
communication deficits, from college level learning
or from getting and holding jobs; and that far from
wanting to separate themselves from the world, people
with autism are typically clamoring to participate.
Yet, autism poses a difficult challenge
to researchers both because of its complexity and variability
from
person to person and the current limits of our
understanding of how the brain functions. At the same
time, autism
research also poses exciting opportunity to advance
the entire field of brain research as it provides
a new lens through which to understand the functioning
of the normal brain in the same way that the study
of brain trauma did in the past.
While scientists
inquire into the complexities of genetics and brain
function in pursuit of a
causal
rationale,
popular myths and misconceptions compete for
the public’s
confidence regarding the cause and treatment
of autism. Some pose alarming public health risks,
others seem
to foster feelings of desperation on the part
of parents, and some appear to stifle inquiry rather
than embrace
it.
This one-hour documentary will bring
viewers into the individual and family experience of
autism,
explore both its scope and causes explained and
unexplained
by science, and examine how interventions can
make a difference. An exploration of recent brain
research
will advance new evidence-based theoretical speculation
on how the biochemistry and the structure of
the brain
enable communication in a “normally functioning” brain
and “different” communication in
the autistic brain.
For more information or to become involved, please contact:
State of the Art, Inc.
phone: (202) 537-0818
fax: (202)-537-0828
Confidential and Proprietary | 
