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1) What is Autism?
Autism is a neurobiological disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate
and interact with others. It is a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) that affects boys four times more often than
girls, and it is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees of severity. Although
individuals with autism improve in functioning over time, unfortunately children do not "grow" out of autism. It is
a lifelong disability.
2) What Causes Autism?
Although the cause of autism is known in extremely rare cases (PKU, maternal rubella),
the vast majority of autism cases have no known cause.
3) How is Autism treated?
Evidence shows early educational and behavioral intervention results in greatly improved
outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder. A highly structured, specialized and individualized educational
program should be utilized. Other beneficial therapies used in conjunction with an educational/behavioral model include
speech, occupational therapy and sensory integration therapy.
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Facts about Autism:
Today as many as 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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A new case is diagnosed every 20 minutes.
More children will be diagnosed with ASD this year than AIDS, diabetes and cancer
combined.
Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the USA.
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