“If you’ve met one individual with autism, you’ve met one individual with autism.”
- Stephen Shore
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. According to data and statistics from the CDC, about 1 in 54 children have been identified with ASD.
There is no known cause for ASD nor is there a cure. However, research shows that early intervention treatment services can improve a child’s development. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. ASD occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, but is 4 times more common among boys than among girls.
Someone with autism may at times:
- appear deaf or seem to ignore you
- be hypersensitive to sounds, smells, and/or touch
- be unable to speak or calm oneself
- have poor social skills
- make limited or no eye contact
- exhibit repetitive behaviors
- get upset by minor changes
- flap hands, rock body, or spin in circles
- not understand personal space boundaries
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
- Handleman, J.S., Harris, S., eds. Preschool Education Programs for Children with Autism (2nd ed). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed. 2000.
- National Research Council. Educating Children with Autism. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2001.