EBD Blog

In a recent post, I pointed to the Web resources about Autism available from the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). About 10 years ago, NIMH published a Web page that is the forerunner of that more recent page. I thought it might be interesting to some folks to examine that older page, so I located a copy of it.

Isolated in worlds of their own, people with autism appear indifferent and remote and are unable to form emotional bonds with others. Although people with this baffling brain disorder can display a wide range of symptoms and disability, many are incapable of understanding other people’s thoughts, feelings, and needs. Often, language and intelligence fail to develop fully, making communication and social relationships difficult. Many people with autism engage in repetitive activities, like rocking or banging their heads, or rigidly following familiar patterns in their everyday routines. Some are painfully sensitive to sound, touch, sight, or smell.

The image at the top right links to an archive of the older page.