About autism...?

i'd like to know the following about autism:

1-does it ALWAYS start since childhood, i mean are autistics always born with it?

2-do all autistics clever in maths and/or drawing?

3-is it possible that someone is autistic without knowing that he/she is?

4-how would a person know that he/she is autistic?what signs may indicate autism?(excluding going to doctors)

5-are there levels for autism?

6-can people with autism live normally?

7-do autistics have problems with communication with ALL people or can these problems be with the opposite gender?

8-are all autistics genuis or could they be normal?

9- is there a cure for autism?

i might add some more questions...but these are the ones that came to head for the moment..

please...do not give me links...i want YOUR answers if you know about them, because these websites do not answer all my questions

1 - Autism is a developmental disorder. It becomes "expressed" when something goes wrong in the development process. -The cause of autism is thought to be largely genetic than environmental, however it is controversial.

2. NO! and NO! These are the views that have been generated by the rain man film I think. People with autism may be good at all different things-just like people without. There are many who have no interest at all in mathematics and are not good in it either. (just like in the general population!)

3. Yes
4. Difficulty in understanding or grasping concepts about the way the world works-when others do. May be obsessions with certain things.
5. Yes, there are levels and types. Remember that autism is concidered part of the autistic spectrum But autism itself is a spectrum. However you will be diagnosed with it or not- and would unlikely be given an "degree of autism number".
6. What is living normally? Everyone is different. If you mean marry and have children, and live independantly then yes- some can and some can't.
7. In general the problem is with all people. However, most "normal" people have more problems in communication with the opposite gender ,and it may manifest itself more with autism.
8. The most autistics are mentally retarted. There are alot with normal or high IQ's. very very few are genuises.
9. no

Here:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autis...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism
http://www.autism.org/
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autis...

Those website will definately answer your questions!

im gonna try and answer the most of them with what i think is correct.

1.- i think it starts in childhood/birth. the site below only states stuff about children , so i'd guess so.

2-no not all can comprehend maths or drawings or anything. the one i know doesn't seem to be good at those and doesn't quite understand what she learns.

3-yes.some have it so bad that it is disabling. some can't even respond ot their name.

4-not showing love.-thats why most mothers dread having a baby thats autistic, because in some forms of it the child shows no love to the parent.' Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize autism. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling.'

5-yes there are different forms/levels of autism.some can have it serverely while others have it slightly.

6-some with milder conditions can, like i said earlier some do have disabling forms of it. some autistics get better as time goes on and lead normal lives.

7-all people. not all don't socialize, but those who don't tend to not have eye contact or socialize with anyone. for those children who don't socialize it is hard on their parents b/c they may not show love.

8-i don't quite understand what your asking here. are you saying that all autistics become geniuses? no that is not the case. some may grow up to be great leaders and stuff, but not all are really smart or grow to lead normal lives. but yes those who do get better with time can be normal/have normal lives.

9- i don't think there is, just treatments that help with the symtoms.