Unraveling the Mystery of Autism
[New Words]
♧ unravel : v. 해명하다, 해결하다, 얽힌 실 등을 풀다
♧ autism : n. 자폐증
♧ disorder : n. 장애, 병, 무질서
♧ diagnose : v. 진단하다
♧ baffling : a. 당황하게 하는, 이해할 수 없는
♧ devastating : a. 파괴적인, 참화를 가져오는
♧ toddler : n. 아장아장 걷는 아이, 그 나이대의 아이들
♧ babble : v. 어린애 등이 서투른 말로 종알거리다, 재잘거리다
♧ subtle : a. 미묘한, 포착하기 어려운, 민감한, 미세한
♧ affectionate : a. 애정이 깊은, 상냥한, 애정어린
♧ attachment : n. 애착, 애정, 사모; 부착
♧ pervasive : a. 퍼지는, 보급하는, 배어드는
♧ all-or-nothing : a. 전부가 아니면 아예 포기하는, 과단성 있는
♧ intervention : n. 조정, 개입; 치료, 간호
♧ outcome : n. 결과, 성과
♧ meanwhile : ad. 한편, 그러는 동안
♧ Congress : n. 미국 의회
♧ mandate : n. 명령, 지시
♧ stall : v. 꼼딱 못하다
♧ now that S V : 이제 ~하기 때문에
♧ CDC : Centers for Disease Control 질병 대책 센터 《미 공중 위생국의 한 부》
♧ epidemic : n. 유행병, 전염병
We turn now to major new research on autism, the developmental disorder that affects so many American families. Exactly how many has been debated for years. Now, a new government study concludes that about 300,000 children, between the ages of 4 and 17, have been diagnosed with autism. Researchers hope knowing that number will help them find new ways to better deal with it. Here's ABC's Ned Potter.
has remained a baffling and often devastating disorder, and today's numbers are the most comprehensive ever showing how widespread autism is. At least five to six children in a typical group of a thousand will have the problem. Then the number may be higher because many doctors do not know the early warning signs.
"Many children are not diagnosed with autism until they reach school age. And we need to change that."
Babies and toddlers with autism may seem healthy, playing and pointing and babbling, but at some point, they do less of it and often those first signs are subtle.
"Children with autism do show affectionate behavior, they can sho...they show attachments. I mean that it's that social behavior is not a pervasive, all-or-nothing thing. It's a matter of degree."
This is critical because doctors say that while there is no cure, there are types of behavioral therapy that work best if you start early. And you cannot start early, unless you realize it's a problem.
"We do know that early, early intervention really does make remarkable differences in the outcomes for these children."
Today's report could not say whether autism rates are going up, but many doctors and parents think so. By year's end, the government hopes to have another survey showing whether or not that's true.
Meanwhile in Congress, a bill mandating half a billion dollars over five years for research and treatment has been stalled in committee for a year.
"I would hope to see something like it moving through the Congress this year now that CDC has really finally admitted we have an epidemic of autism."
Today's report showed autism four times more common in boys than girls. A giant problem still waiting for answers.
Ned Potter, ABC News, New York.