- Today, ASD affects about 1 in 68 children.
- ASD is a spectrum disorder, which means that every child with ASD has different skills, challenges, and needs.
- ASD is about 4 times more likely in boys than girls.
- ASD can be reliably diagnosed by age 2.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restrictted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. (source: Centers for Disease Control).
It is important to remember that each individual is unique. Differences or similarities will vary between individuals with ASD.
Communication indicators and social patterns:
- Delays in the development of spoken language.
- Idiosyncratic repetitive language.
- Lack of pragmatic aspect of language.
- Inability to initiate or maintain language learning.
- Responds to a question by repeating it, rather than answering it.
- Has difficulty communicating needs or desires.
History of Autism Acceptance Month
National Autism Acceptance Month began in 1972 as National Autistic Children’s Week. The observance was founded by the Autism Society in order to increase and advocate awareness, and to spark change in schools, communities, medical facilities, and businesses.
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