What is Autism?

Autism is a devastating neurological and biological disorder typically diagnosed in children between the ages of 18 months to 5 years of age. Some individuals with autism are severely affected, cannot speak, require constant one on one care, and are never able to live on their own. While others are less severe, can communicate, and eventually acquire the necessary skills to live on their own.

One in every 150 children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with autism. (NOTE: This number does NOT include: PDD, Aspergers and other spectrum disorders.) Over the last 6 years in the City of Alexandria, Virginia the rate of autism has increased 92%. The lifelong cost of raising a child with the disability of autism and related disorders is $3.5-$5 million dollars.

People diagnosed with autism process, respond, and interact with information in different ways. In some cases, individuals with autism may not be able to speak, may have self stimulatory behaviors (such as hand flapping, vocal utterances, repetitive behaviors), may be aggressive or be self-injurious. Each individual with autism is affected differently. But like with all people - not all individuals with autism are alike. In fact, very few autistics have the exact same issues. Some children who receive an early diagnosis, intense behavioral intervention, medical treatment, and speech therapy will lead typical lives. Not all people diagnosed with autism receive such an early diagnosis or enjoy this outcome.

Autism information courtesy Talk About Curing Autism.

More information at:

Autism Society of America
www.autism-society.org

National Autism Association
www.nationalautismassociation.org

Autism Speaks
www.autismspeaks.org

Autism Research Institute/formerly known as DAN
www.autism.com

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
www.cec.sped.org

Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
www.researchautism.org