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As infants, autistic children don't cuddle and may even stiffen and
resist affection. Many don't look at their caregivers and may react to
all adults with the same indifference. On the other hand, some autistic
children cling tenaciously to a specific individual. In either case,
children with autism fail to develop normal relationships with anyone,
not even their parents. They may not seek comfort even if they are hurt
or ill, or they may seek comfort in a strange way, such as saying
"cheese, cheese, cheese," when they are hurt. As they grow, these
children also fail to develop friendships and generally they prefer to
play alone. Even those who do want to make friends have trouble
understanding normal social interaction. For example, they may read a
phone book to an uninterested child. Autistic children cannot
communicate well because they never learn to talk, they don't
understand what is said to them or they speak a language all their own.
For example, they may say "you" when they mean "I," such as "You want
cookie," when they mean "I want a cookie." They may not be able to name
common objects. Or they may use words in a bizarre way, such as saying,
"Go on green riding," when they mean "I want to go on the swing."
Sometimes they may repeatedly say phrases or words they have heard in
conversation or on television. Or they make irrelevant remarks, such as
suddenly talking about train schedules when the topic was football.
Their voices may be in a high-pitch monotone.
Autistic children also go through repetitive body movements such as
twisting or flicking their hands, flapping their arms or banging their
heads. Some children become preoccupied with parts of objects, or they
may become extremely attached to an unusual object such as a piece of
string or a rubber band.
They become distressed when any part of their environment is
changed. They may throw extreme tantrums when their place at the dinner
table changes or magazines are not placed on the table in a precise
order. Likewise, these children insist on following rigid routines in
precise detail.
Scientists have not identified any one cause for these disorders.
Research has shown, however, that parents' personalities or methods of
rearing their children have little if any effect on the development of
pervasive developmental disorders.
On the other hand, scientists have learned that certain medical situations are associated with pervasive developmental disorders. Autism has been reported in cases where the mother suffered from rubella while she was pregnant. Other cases have been associated with inflammation of the brain during infancy or lack of oxygen at birth. Still others are associated with disorders that have genetic links. Among those disorders are phenylketonuria, an inherited problem with metabolism that can cause mental retardation, epilepsy and other disorders.
For comprehensive information on parenting children with psychiatric disorders, visit the .
back to: Psychiatric Disorders Definitions Index
(c) Copyright 1988 American Psychiatric Association
Revised June 1992.
Produced by the APA Joint Commission on Public Affairs and the Division of Public Affairs. This text of this document originated as a pamphlet developed for educational purposes and does not necessarily reflect opinion or policy of the American Psychiatric Association.
Additional Resources
Giffin, Mary, M.D. and Carol Felsenthal. A Cry for Help . Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Co., Inc., 1983.
Looney, John G., M.D., editor. Chronic Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents . Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, Inc., 1988.
Love, Harold D. Behavior Disorders in Children: A Book for Parents . Springfield, Illinois: Thomas, 1987.
Wender, Paul H. The Hyperactive Child, Adolescent, and Adult: Attention Deficit Disorder Through the Lifespan . New York: Oxford University Press, 1987.
Wing, Lorna. Autistic Children: A Guide for Parents and Professionals . New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1985.
Other Resources
American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine
(804) 355-0147
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
(202) 966-7300
American Academy of Pediatrics
(312) 228-5005
American Association of Psychiatric Services for Children
(716) 436-4442
American Pediatrics Society
(718) 270-1692
American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry
(215) 566-1054
Association for the Care of Children's Health
(202) 244-1801
Child Welfare League of America, Inc.
(202) 638-2952
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
(703) 524-7600
National Center for Clinical Infant Programs
(202) 347-0308
National Institute of Mental Health
(301) 443-2403
National Mental Health Association
(703) 684-7722
National Society for Children and Adults with Autism
(202) 783-0125
back to: Psychiatric Disorders Definitions Index
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