AutismBy Katie Vandergriff

What is Autism?• 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

What Causes Autism?• Scientists have discovered rare gene changes,

or mutations, associated with autism• No sure cause of autism• Scientists are searching for a cause

Symptoms/Signs• 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.

Symptoms/Signs (cont.)• No words by 16 mos.• No 2-word phrases by 24 mos.• Any loss of social skills• Any loss of speech

Treatment Program (for Children)• 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

How Common is Autism?• Affects 1 in 88 children• 1 in 54 boys• 1 in 252 girls

• Boys are 5 times more likelythan girls to have autism

Children with Autism (Ages)

18.7%

17.0%

13.0%11.5%

39.9%2 years and under3 years4 years5 years6 years and over

Is Autism Hereditary?• No specific cause for autism• May be passed through genes• No one knows for sure

Random Facts• 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

Random Facts (cont.)• 1% of U.S children (3-17) have autism• 1-1.5 million Americans have autism• 60% of costs are in adult services• 56% of students with autism finish

high school

Autism• Autism is a disease that affects

brain development. There is no knownspecific cause. It cannot be cured,but it can be treated. Also,there is a chance that autismis passed down from parents.