Understanding Autism

Autism（孤独症）is a life-long developmentaldisability that prevents individuals from properly understanding what theysee,hear,and otherwise sense.This results in

severe problems ofsocial relationships , communication , and behavior.Individuals with autismhave to painstakingly（费力地）learnnormal patterns of speech and

communication,andappropriate ways to relate to people, objects,and events,in a similar manner tothose who have had a stroke.

2.The cause ofautism is still unknown.Some research suggests a physical problem affectingthose parts of the brain that process language and information coming in from

the senses.There maybe some imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain.Genetic（遗传的）factors may sometimes be involved.Autism may indeed result from a

combination ofseveral"causes".

3.Most people withmental retardation（智力迟钝）showrelatively even skill development.Individuals with autism , however , typicallyshow uneven skill development ,

with deficits（欠缺）in certamn areas-most frequently intheir ability to communicate and relate to othersand distinct skills in otherareas.It is important to distinguish autism

from mentalretardation or other disorders, since diagnostic（诊断的）confusion may lead to inappropriate and ineffectivetreatment techniques.

4.In general,individualswith autism perform best at jobs which are structured and involve a degree ofrepetition.Some people who have autism are working as artists,piano

tuners,painters,farmworkers,office workers,computer operators,dishwashers,assembly line workers,oremployees of sheltered workshops or other sheltered work settings.Paragraph 4______

A.What causesautism?

B.How common isautism?

C.Does autism occurtogether with other disabilities?

D.What is thedifference between autism and mental retardation?

E.What is autism?