Autism is one of the most prevalent developmental disabilities in the world.  Currently, autism affects 1 in 110 children.  Four out of five are boys.

The symptoms of autism usually appear early in life – frequently before the age of thirty-six months.  These may include problems with understanding and joining in social play and other interactions, restricted interests and activities that are unusual in their focus or intensity, and problems in developing language and useful communication.  These children may also show an uneven pattern in intellectual development.  They frequently have inconsistent sensory responses.

These symptoms and features of autism can present themselves in an almost endless variety of combinations.  The severity of the symptoms varies widely and no two children with autism are identical.  Despite the commonality of the symptoms, children with this diagnosis can behave very differently from each other, and show a wide range of different abilities, interests, and skills levels.

Thinking regarding the causes of autism has changed in the last several decades.  It had been widely accepted that the source of autism was caused by the psychological environment.  We now know that was not true, and that autism appears to have combinations of causes. Research in neurology and genetics may give us more answers on this unique disorder.

One additional fact is that everyone – with autism or neurotypical – can learn.  For some, learning will come more easily; for others there will be a need for specialized individual instruction.  As we are all life-long learners, individuals with autism can continue to develop skills through their adult years.