Daniel Tammet Autism

“Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that appears in the first three years of life and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills” (“Board”). Autism is a widely varied disorder with effects ranging from improved intelligence and savant abilities to the inability to speak and live a normal life. Despite all the research and effort to cure it, there is no cure for autism. With the rates of autism climbing and more people, like Daniel Tammet, being affected, there is an increasing need to learn about this interesting disorder. For example, Daniel Tammet is an English author born in 1979 (Tammet 1). He lived a strange childhood because, as he would figure out at age twenty-five, he has autism. Autistics

Many autistics, especially those with Asperger’s, have savantism. Savantism is when people who are not at the genius level of intelligence display the cognitive abilities of a genius. Some savants are below average intelligence. Intelligence, language, and social skills may be impaired, like autism. Common savant abilities are being able to multiply huge numbers in a matter of seconds, memorizing capitals of countries and states, memorizing the outlines of countries, can memorize birthdays, and know multiple languages. Some savant abilities are contracted spontaneously, and some savant abilities fade when new skills, especially social skills, are learned (Edwards 74).

Besides autism, there are also disabilities like autism. One disorder often confused for autism is Rett’s Disorder. Rett’s Disorder is a severe form of mental retardation that affects 2-5 year old girls. At the time symptoms start showing, head circumference slows down in growth and previously acquired motor skills are lost. A characteristic hand-wringing motion appears. There is also a loss of gross motor function (Allman

For example, serotonin is a neurotransmitter chemical that is produced in the brain and gastrointestinal tract that scientists believe is responsible for mood control. Because of these mood balancing effects, some autistics are given serotonin to provide them with a feeling of happiness. Tranquilizers are sometimes give to autistics who are unable to sleep. People with temporal lobe epilepsy or other forms of epilepsy are given anticonvulsants which can help limit or stop seizures from occurring. Secretin is a chemical in the brain that is given to some autistic children, but not yet proven how it helps. Secretin is produced in the intestines and primarily deals with the production of an enzyme that stimulates the pancreas and other intestinal organs to function. However, secretin has some influence on the brain and can cause production of serotonin (Edwards