| According to the data gathered by the National | | | | to an external stimulus, while others may become |
| Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease | | | | more aggressive. Some may have the initiative to |
| Control and Prevention, autism is estimated to | | | | make a conversation; meanwhile others totally |
| affect 1 for every 166 births. It is believed that | | | | lack the ability to have one. |
| about 1.5 million Americans are suffering from | | | | Here are some of the traits that you may find in |
| some form of Autism. It is the fastest-growing | | | | someone who has autism: |
| developmental disability that has a 10-17% annual | | | | They resist change. |
| growth. | | | | They have difficulty expressing their needs either |
| In 1999, the US Department of Education had | | | | verbally or non-verbally. |
| reported that there was a 172% increase on the | | | | They repeat words or phrases. |
| prevalence of disability due to autism. Based on | | | | They laughing or cry for no reason at all. |
| the study conducted by The Autism Society of | | | | They seem aloof and prefer to be alone. |
| America, the annual cost needed for the services | | | | They have tantrums. |
| related to autism will be $200-400 billion in 10 | | | | They have difficulty in interacting with others. |
| years as the number of people with the disorder | | | | They have little or no eye contact. |
| reach 4 million in the next decade. | | | | They are unresponsive to a typical teaching |
| Autism can appear to any race, social background, | | | | method. |
| class, gender, and to any child. It is four times | | | | They want sustained odd play |
| more prevalent in males than in females. | | | | They keep on spinning objects |
| What is Autism? | | | | They are obsessive attached to objects |
| Autism is a cognitive disorder that affects the | | | | They have a low threshold to pain. |
| developmental or learning ability of an individual. | | | | They don't manifest fears or suspect danger. |
| The manifestations of the disorder usually appear | | | | They are passive. |
| as early as the first three years of life. As a | | | | They are non responsive to verbal and act as |
| result of the neurological disorder, it disrupts the | | | | deaf in conversational voice. |
| normal functioning of the brain affecting the | | | | How can autism be diagnosed? |
| development of the communication skills and social | | | | There are no laboratory diagnostic tests known |
| interaction skills of the person. Difficulties in verbal | | | | for autism. There are only diagnostic tools and |
| and non-verbal communication, leisure activities, | | | | screening tests available but this is done by |
| and social interaction are seen in both children and | | | | consulting a trained specialist on the disorder. It is |
| adults with the disorder. One should take note | | | | diagnosed through careful observation done for a |
| however, that there are varying degrees of | | | | series of occasions in a given period of time. |
| autism for different individuals. For this reason, an | | | | Studies have shown that early diagnosis gives a |
| early diagnosis is highly recommended. This is | | | | great benefit since it allows for early intervention |
| crucial so that the child can immediately benefit | | | | and treatment that will enable the child to learn |
| from the available specialized programs catering | | | | vital skills especially in communication. |
| for the care of someone with autism. | | | | Autism is a disabling condition that needs |
| What are the characteristics of a person with | | | | understanding. By understanding the disorder, the |
| autism? | | | | barriers that hinder many people from doing |
| People with autism are also individuals. Like any | | | | something about the problem will gradually |
| other individual, a person with autism has his | | | | dissolve. Thus, more people afflicted with it will be |
| distinct characteristics. Some may respond mildly | | | | given the appropriate care they need. |