StatementAbout AutismPresidentBoard MembersChapter EventsMembershipSupportersResourcesAdvocacyCalenderMeetingsRecreationHeroesMediaStoreAwareness FairGarrisonNewsletters

 

What Causes Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of developmental disabilities—including classic autism, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PPD-NOS), and Asperger’s Syndrome—that affect a person’s ability to understand what they see, hear, and otherwise sense. It is a brain disorder that impacts communication, social interaction, and behavior. Individuals with ASD typically have difficulty understanding verbal and nonverbal communication and learning appropriate ways of relating to other people, objects, and events. No two people with ASD are the same. Additionally, ASD is often found in combination with other disabilities.


How Common is Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder is the second most common developmental disability following mental retardation. ASD is more common than childhood cancer, cystic fibrosis, and multiple sclerosis combined. It is estimated that one out of every 150 people born today has some form of ASD. In the state of North Carolina alone there are nearly 30,000 individuals living with ASD.


The overall incidence of ASD is consistent around the globe, but is four times more prevalent in boys than girls. Autism spectrum disorder knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries, and family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of the disorder’s occurrence. It is a lifelong disorder that affects individuals of all ages.


A child or adult with an ASD might:
• have severe language deficits or differences;
• talk about or show interest in a restricted range of topics;
• not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over);
• not look at objects when another person points at them;
• have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all;
• avoid eye contact and want to be alone;
• have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings;
• prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to;
• appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds;
• repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia);
• have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions;
• laugh, cry, or show distress for no apparent reason;
• repeat actions over and over again;
• have trouble adapting when a routine changes;
• have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound;
• be oversensitive or under-sensitive to pain;

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects an individual in the areas of social interaction and communication.
Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects each individual differently and to varying degrees of severity.
As many as 1.5 million Americans - children and adults - are thought to have autism today.

 

What Can you Do to Help?
Please be patient and understanding when you see or interact with an individual with unusual behavior which may be autism.