What is Autism?

                                                                                                                                               

 

 

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Imagine a song stuck in your head...and it never goes away.
Imagine people's voices sounding so loud they're like fire engines.
Imagine your soft cotton T-shirt feeling like a burlap bag.
Imagine not being able to feel food in your mouth, or a full bladder.
Imagine someone's simple touch feeling like fire.
Imagine having feeling in your hair and the pain of having it cut.

Imagine having autism


 

 

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 250 births  Based on prevalence statistics from the National Institutes of Health (2001) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2001). Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability.

 


 

Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. The disorder makes it hard for them to communicate with others and relate to the outside world. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping, rocking), unusual responses to people or attachments to objects and resistance to changes in routines. Individuals may also experience sensitivities in the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.

 

Over one half million people in the U.S. today have autism or some form of pervasive developmental disorder. Its prevalence rate makes autism one of the most common developmental disabilities. Yet most of the public, including many professionals in the medical, educational, and vocational fields, are still unaware of how autism affects people and how they can effectively work with individuals with autism.



           ~   from the Autism Society of America

 

Click here to subscribe to  ........   The Schafer Autism Report

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Most Widely Read Autism Publication - No Cost!

 

 

DON'T MOURN FOR US

You didn't lose a child to autism. You lost a child because the child you waited for never came into existence. That isn't the fault of the autistic child who does exist, and it shouldn't be our burden. We need and deserve families who can see us and value us for ourselves, not families whose vision of us is obscured by the ghosts of children who never lived. Grieve if you must, for your own lost dreams. But don't mourn for us. We are alive. We are real. And we're here waiting for you.  
                                                                                      ~  by Jim Sinclair

This is a must read for all touched by autism
 

click here ---  Don't mourn for us Web Site

 

 

 


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DISCLAIMER: This site is intended to provide basic information resources on Autism. It is not intended to, nor does it, constitute medical or other advice. The author of this web site is not a medical doctor. Readers are warned not to take any action with regard to medical treatment or otherwise based on the information on this web site or links without first consulting a physician. This web site does not necessarily endorse any of the information obtained from any of the links on this page or links that other pages may lead you to. Neither does this web site promote or recommend any treatment, therapy, institution or health care plan. The information contained in this site is intended to be for your general education and information only and not for use in pursuing any treatment or course of action. Ultimately, the course of action in treating a given patient must be individualized with their doctor.

© Angels with Autism      February 2002      Last updated on 04/11/2004