AUTISM AWARENESS

DID YOU KNOW?

QUICK FACTS ABOUT AUTISM
 1 in 250 births

 1 to 1.5 million Americans

 Fastest-growing developmental
disability

 10 - 17 % annual growth
 QUICK FACTS
 Growth comparison during the
1990s

 U.S. population increase: 13%

 Disabilities increase: 16%
 Autism increase: 172%
 QUICK FACTS
 $90 billion annual cost

 90% of costs are in adult services

 Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by

2/3 with early diagnosis and
intervention

 In 10 years, the annual cost will be

$200-400 billion
 What is Autism?
 Autism is a complex, life-long biological
disorder of development that results in social
interaction problems, communication
difficulties, and restrictive or repetitive
interests and behaviors.

 The prevalence of autism estimates run from

approximately one-in-500 children, to one-in-
1000 children, who might be affected by
some form of the disorder.
 What is Autism?
 Autism can be reliably diagnosed by or before age
three.

 Parents and expert clinicians can usually detect

symptoms during infancy, although a formal
diagnosis is generally not made until the child fails to
develop functional language by age two.

 Approximately 20 percent of children with autism

reportedly experience a "regression"; that is, they
have apparently normal development followed by a
loss of communication and social skills.
 What is Autism?
 Boys are three-to-four times more likely
to be affected by autism than girls.

 Autism occurs in all racial, ethnic, and

social groups.
 What is Autism?
 Although there is currently no known cure for
autism, autism is treatable.
 Persons with autism can make progress if
they receive appropriate, individual
intervention.
 Pre-school children who receive intensive,
individualized, behavioral interventions show
remarkable progress.
 In addition, limited pharmacological
interventions are available to treat specific
symptoms of autism.
 What Causes Autism?
 In the majority of
cases, no specific
underlying cause can
be identified.

 However, a variety of
factors are being
investigated:
 infectious, metabolic,
genetic, and
environmental factors.
 What Causes Autism?
 A working group convened by the NIH
(National Institute of Health) in 1995
reached a consensus that autism
probably results from a genetic
susceptibility that involves multiple
genes.
 What Causes Autism?
 To date, genetic causes for one disorder commonly
accompanied by autism and one autism-spectrum disorder
have been identified, Fragile X and Rett syndrome, respectively
and genetic "hotspots" for more classic autism have been
indicated.

 Fragile X is the most common, genetically inherited form of

mental retardation currently known and produces many of the
same behaviors and symptoms as autism.

 Rett syndrome, which affects only girls, is a progressive brain

disease that produces a loss of language/social skills that is
similar to autism and is classified as an autism spectrum
disorder.
 What Causes Autism?
 NIH research on possible genetic,
infectious, immunological, and
environmental causes and mechanisms
of autism is underway.
 What can you do to help??
 Spread the word, the first
step is awareness.

 April is National Autism

Awareness Month

 The Autism Society of

America (ASA) can get
you started!

http://www.autism-
society.org
GET INVOLVED
 Autism is puzzling
doctors and scientists
everywhere.
 But by making more
people aware more
resources can be
organized towards the
goal
 ASA offers
WRISTBANDS, BUMPER
STICKERS, and all sorts
of merchandise.
 Profits go to research
for Autism!
Submitted by Tyrone Ward,
Resident Assistant,
Philadelphia University