The staggering statistic of 1 in 166 children born today in the US diagnosed with autism and its associated behaviors has just increased to 1 in 150. Very scary. Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. A neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain. Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls, and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle and education levels do not affect the chance of autism’s occurrence, though there is some evidence that the incidence of autism increases with increased ages of parents at the time of child birth.

Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties 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. Individuals may also experience sensitivities in the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.

Over one million people in the USA today have autism or some form of pervasive developmental disorder. Its prevalence rate makes autism one of the most common developmental disabilities. Yet most of the public, including many professionals in the medical, educational and vocation fields, are still unaware of how autism affects people and how they can effectively work with individuals with autism.

Click here for the DSM IV Criteria