What is Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Autism includes Autistic Disorder (AD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger’s Disorder also known as Asperger’s Syndrome (AS).
Autism is a complex neurobiological spectrum disorder affecting individuals differently and to varying degrees. Individuals do not grow out of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Autism occurs in all racial, ethnic and social groups and is four times more likely to affect boys than girls. Autism impairs a person’s ability to communicate (understand and relate to others) socially and emotionally.
Autism is also associated with unproductive repetitive behaviors; processing disorders (sensory sensitivities to light, smell, sound and touch), eccentric behaviors and rigid routines; and unusual preoccupation with subjects and objects.

Autism Statistics

1 in 36 children in the U.S. have autism, up from the previous rate of 1 in 44.
1 in 45 adults in the U.S. have autism.
In the U.S., about 4 in 100 boys and 1 in 100 girls have autism.
Boys are nearly 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.
In the U.S., autism prevalence is lower among white children than other racial and ethnic groups:
White – 2.4%
Black – 2.9%
Hispanic – 3.2%
Asian or Pacific Islander – 3.3%
Around the world, 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with autism.

1

Absence of smiles of recognition by six months or thereafter acts as though they cannot hear your voice
2

Absence of acknowledgment when a parent returns home or when a new person enters the room by six months or thereafter
3

Preoccupation or fascination with objects rather than with people
4

Plays alone
5

Impaired social interaction such as back-and-forth sharing of facial expressions by nine months or thereafter
6

Slow to imitate games like peek-a-boo
7
Giggling for no reason or when no one else is around as early as four months or thereafter
8
Extreme sensitivities to light, smell, sound, touch and taste by four months or thereafter
9
Hand flapping, hand gazing, body rocking or other self-stimulatory behaviors as early as six months
10
Absence of babbling by 12 months
11
Absence of back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, or waving by 12 months
12
Fixation on audio/ video stimulation by 18 months
13
Absence of words by 16 months or odd use of language or unusual tone of voice
14
Compulsively arranges non-toy items or lines up toys
15
Absence of initiating two word meaningful phrases by 24 months.
16
Speaks only when coaxed
17
Any loss of first words or any loss of babbling at any age
18
Any loss of social skills at any age
19
Peculiar or rigid eating, dressing or sleeping habits
20
Strongly prefers or insists on talking about one subject without variation
21
Lack of daily progress (A developing child is doing or discovering new things every day.)