What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disability that affects the way people are able to interpret and process the world around them. This disability usually appears within the first 3 years of life and interferes with the normal development of the brain in the domains of social interaction and communication. According to the Center for Disease Control, autism currently affects 1 in 166 children.* Autism is the third most common developmental disorder in children so that as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism.
What Can Be Done?
Autism is treatable. Early intervention strategies may make the difference between a child who can interact and communicate and one who cannot. There is now mounting evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of intensive early intervention with young children with ASD. Researchers say that early intervention is the key to success and that an accurate diagnosis can be made as early as 24 months of age.** Children diagnosed with ASD need intervention to drive up their social skills and language in order to create relationships between individuals that are functional and productive.
* Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004
** National Academy of Sciences Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism, 2001