Autism Spectrum disorders are sociail learning disorder that prevents neurobiol;ogicalaly preprogrammed socialloization from occurring. The state of the art research indicates that these disorders of social learning are gentically translitted and not caused by environmental agents, such as vaccinnes containing mercury. Autism behaviors were identified in the 1700'2 but didn't get a name until relatively recently.

The rate at which the disorders occur has been reportyed recently at 1in 100 for females and 1 in 56 for males. This may not neccasarily mean that the rate has increased as much as it wouild appear. It may ay be that we are also getting better at recognizing and identifying the disrder.. The differences in some people with the milder form of Asperger's may go relatively unnoticed if they are paired with the right spouse and their occuaption matches their skill set well. Other's with the svere form of Autism are more easily identiifed.

In addition to the Spectrums Disorders, disorders in speech, memory, reading and perception add to the challegenges that we take for gratned. Just to get through the day requires a tremenduos amount of enegry, leading to virtually constant fatigue states. Anxiety is a frequent companion, which leads to further feelings of defeat and isolation.

The goal of treatment is to treat the neurobiological disorder and increase social competnce on a muti-sensory level . We use all of ours enses to make decisions about how winteact with other human beings. It is not enough to teahc socila skills alone, becaue with out the neurobiological ability to internalize the new skills and procedures, the sufferer will not beable to us them in a meaningful way. The social decison making must occur on a conscious level for them, whereas it ocurrs aotomatically for the non-disabled population.

One of the hormones responsible for our abioity to relate to others peole is called oxytocin. Due to a genetic anomoly, those with Autism Spectrum disorder have too little of the hormane. Normally, can feel another person's pain or empathize with them. This process of mirroring the emotiional response of others allows deciosion making that increases positive sociallizationi and bond making with others. Without the ability to step into onoer person's shoe and then back into our own we are unable to suctain relatiocnhsips and the social isoaltion leads to deprssion, isolation and a diminished quality of life.

Teaching a person how to attend to their emotions and internal world while incresing their acuracy of predicting thier impact on thers will lead to improved relationships and more positive self-evaluation and worth.

There are a number of associated disodres that make it difficult for the person with social learning difficulties to negtite the social landscpe. Super sensitive hearing, sensory and auditory processing problems, tactile defensivness, alexythuymia, prosopagnosia and memory problems are a few that add additional stress.

Treatment is mutimodal meaning many areas of disfunctiona and disabitiy must be addressed. A neurologist and neuropsychiatrist may be needed to identify the underlying nuerological deficits dn the dgree of diability Medication may support the brain funtioning that will allow the learing of new social skills. A speech patholigist, occupational therapist and mental health professional can be integral parts of the treatment team and coordinated delivery of services is critical.