Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. It is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.
It knows no racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect any family, and any child. Autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees – this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.
According to the Center for Disease Control, statistics show that autism affects 1 in 36 births, and is four times more common in boys than girls. As many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.
