About Autism
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.
In February 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued their ADDME autism prevalence report. The report, which looked at a sample of 8 year olds in 2000 and 2002, concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 150 American children, and almost 1 in 94 boys. The issuance of this report caused a media uproar, but the news was not a surprise to ASA or to the 1.5 million Americans living with the effects of autism spectrum disorder. Nonetheless, the spotlight shown on autism as a result of the prevalence increase opens opportunities for the nation to consider how to serve these families facing a lifetime of supports for their children.
Currently, ASA estimates that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million, and that the United States is facing almost $90 billion annually in costs for autism (this figure includes research, insurance costs and non-covered expenses, Medicaid waivers for autism, educational spending, housing, transportation, employment, in addition to related therapeutic services and caregiver costs).
Know the Signs
Early Identification Can Change Lives
Autism is treatable. Children do not "outgrow" autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes
What are some of the signs of ASDs?
People with ASDs may have problems with social, emotional, and communication skills. They might repeat certain behaviors and might not want change in their daily activities. Many people with ASDs also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. ASDs begin during early childhood and last throughout a person’s life.
■ not play “pretend” games (pretend to “feed” a doll) ■ not point at objects to show interest
(point at an airplane flying over)
■ not look at objects when another person points at them ■ have trouble relating to others or not
have an interest in other people at all
■ avoid eye contact and want to be alone
■ have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
■ prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
■ appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
■ be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them
■ repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal
language (echolalia)
■ have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
■ repeat actions over and over again
■ have trouble adapting when a routine changes
■ have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
■ lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they were using)
(source: http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/autism.cfm
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