Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. It is a neurological disorder that compromises the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills and cognitive ability. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. These deficits present significant challenges to families touched by autism and to the professional community responsible for providing services to them.
Current estimates suggest that 1 in 166 individuals are affected by autism in the United States. Autism is usually diagnosed during the first three years of life and is four to five times more prevalent in boys than in girls. It knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries.
Contrary to popular understanding, many children and adults with autism may make eye contact, show affection, smile and laugh, and demonstrate a variety of other emotions, although in varying degrees. Like other children, they respond to their environment in both positive and negative ways.
Autism is a spectrum disorder. The symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe. Although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults can exhibit any combination of the behaviors in any degree of severity. Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act very differently from one another and have varying skills.
