What is Autism?
Autism is a neurological developmental disability that affects, often severely, a person’s ability to communicate and socially interact with others. Children begin to slip away, into a private world where social norms do not exist. To make matters worse, although more and more individuals are being diagnosed with one form of autism or another, the cause of this disorder is still unknown.

Autism is a neurological developmental disability that affects, often severely, a person’s ability to communicate and socially interact with others. Children begin to slip away, into a private world where social norms do not exist. To make matters worse, although more and more individuals are being diagnosed with one form of autism or another, the cause of this disorder is still unknown.

The incidence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has literally exploded in the past decade with the latest studies revealing that approximately 1 in 150 children are affected by an ASD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). In the early 1990s, the incidence level was 1 in 10,000. This alarming rise has now given autism the undesired ranking as the most prevalent childhood developmental disorder in the U.S. Autism is diagnosed four times more often in boys than girls.

Individuals with autism often have numerous physical ailments which may include: language and social impairments, allergies, asthma, epilepsy, digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, feeding disorders, sensory integration disorder, sleeping disorders, and more.

Autism Spectrum Disorders can usually be reliably diagnosed by age 3, although new research is pushing back the age of diagnosis to as early as 6 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child or their child’s failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones.

There are five developmental disorders that fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorder. These are: Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, Rhett Syndrome, PDD NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. All of these disorders are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, and social abilities, and also by repetitive behaviors.

If your child is diagnosed with autism, early intervention is critical to gain maximum benefit from existing therapies. Although parents may have concerns about labeling a toddler as “autistic,” the earlier the diagnosis is made, the earlier interventions can begin. Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and no cure. Research indicates, however, that early intervention in an appropriate educational setting for at least two years during the preschool years can result in significant improvements for many young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. As soon as autism is diagnosed, early intervention instruction should begin. Effective programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills.