| Comparison of symptoms of mercury poisoning and autism - page 2 of 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mercury Poisoning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Autism | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cognitive Impairments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borderline intelligence, mental retardation - sometimes "recovered" Poor concentration, attention, shifting attention Uneven performance on IQ subtests Verbal IQ higher than performance IQ Poor short term, auditory & verbal memory Poor visual and perceptual motor skills, lower performance on timed tests Difficulty carrying out multiple commands Word-comprehension difficulties Deficits in abstract thinking & symbolism, understanding other�s mental states, sequencing, planning & organizing |
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| Borderline intelligence, mental retardation - some cases reversible Poor concentration, attention, response inhibition Uneven performance on IQ subtests Verbal IQ higher than performance IQ Poor short term, verbal, & auditory memory Poor visual and perceptual motor skills, impairment in simple reaction time Difficulty carrying out complex commands Word-comprehension difficulties Deficits in understanding abstract ideas & symbolism; degeneration of higher mental powers |
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| Unusual Behaviors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stereotyped sniffing (rats) ADHD traits Agitation, unprovoked crying, grimacing, staring spells Sleep difficulties Eating disorders, feeding problems Self injurious behavior, e.g. head banging |
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| Stereotyped, repetitive behaviors ADHD traits Agitation, unprovoked crying, grimacing, staring spells Sleep difficulties Eating disorders, feeding problems Self injurious behavior, e.g. head banging |
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| Visual Impairments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Poor eye contact, impaired visual fixation �Visual impairments,� blindness, near-sightedness, decreased visual acuity Light sensitivity, photophobia Blurred or hazy vision Constricted visual fields |
Poor eye contact, problems in joint attention �Visual impairments�; inaccurate/slow saccades; decreased rod functioning Over-sensitivity to light Blurred vision |
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| Source: Autism - A Unique Type of Mercury Poisoning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||