ABOUT AUTISM

Read recent medical news regarding autism research below:

Watch this space for our bi-weekly or monthly feature from a speech pathologist, or ABA expert, Occupational therapist, parent, etc.

What is Autism?

Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of the neurological disorder that affects functioning of the brain, autism and its associated behaviors, are reported to occur in as many as one in one hundred sixty six children born each year. Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence. Autism interferes with the normal development of the brain in the areas of reasoning, social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have deficiencies in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and leisure or play activities. The disorder makes it hard for them to communicate with others and relate to the outside world. They may exhibit repeated body movements (such as, hand flapping or rocking), unusual responses to people or attachments to objects and resist any changes in routine. In some cases, aggressive and / or self-injurious behavior may be present.

--Autism Society of America, 1997