By Katie Vandergriff

A group of brain development disorders Roots are in early brain development See signs between ages 2-3 Not just one type/cause of autism

Scientists have discovered rare gene changes, or mutations, associated with autism No sure cause of autism Scientists are searching for a cause

No smiles or joyful expressions by 6 mos. No back & forth sounds, smiles, etc. by 9 mos. No babbling by 12 mos. No back & forth gestures by 12 mos.

No words by 16 mos. No 2-word phrases by 24 mos. Any loss of social skills Any loss of speech

Therapy for at least 25 hours/week Therapy guided by specific objectives Focus on core areas affected Interaction with developing peers Working with highly trained therapists/teachers Physician, pathologist, & occupational therapist involved

Affects 1 in 88 children 1 in 54 boys 1 in 252 girls Boys are 5 times more likely than girls to have autism

No specific cause for autism May be passed through genes No one knows for sure

Prevalence figures are growing Fastest-growing development disability in U.S. Costs families $60,000 a year Receives less than 5% research funding No medical detection or cure

1% of U.S children (3-17) have autism million Americans have autism 60% of costs are in adult services 56% of students with autism finish high school

Autism is a disease that affects brain development. There is no known specific cause. It cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Also, there is a chance that autism is passed down from parents.