Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, Autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of Autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

• Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain.

• 67 children are diagnosed with Autism every day.

• More children will be diagnosed with Autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined.

• Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

• Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases.

• Autism if four times more common in boys than in girls.

• Autism affects an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007).

• Early identification and intervention are critical. If you are concerned about your child's development consider having your child screened for Autism. See "Red Flags" atwww.firstsigns.org.

• Autism is considered a "spectrum disorder" and is commonly called ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder. Characteristics and behaviors of people with ASD vary greatly.

Know the Signs

• Lack of or delay in spoken language
• Repetitive language and/or motions (hand flapping, spinning)
• Little or no eye contact
• Lack of interest in peers; prefers being alone
• Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
• Insistence on sameness
• Difficulty expressing needs; using gestures instead of words
• Repeating words/phrases in place of normal, responsive language
• Laughing and/or crying for no apparent reason
• Showing distress for reasons not apparent to others; tantrums
• Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled
• Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
• Sustained odd play; fixating on object parts
• Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
• No real fears of danger
• Uneven gross/fine motor skills
• Non-responsive to verbal cues although hearing is normal

If your child shows any of these signs, please ask your pediatrician or family practitioner to send him/her for an immedediate evaluation.

For more information or direction to recources please call: 352-624-1360 or email:AODW@mcchildrensalliance.org

You can also contact our office for more information/recourses.

Other Links for Autism Information:

www.AutismSpeaks.org

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of Florida

Call 1-800-9-AUTISM (288476)