Education

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of development disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavior challenges. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability, affecting more children than juvenile diabetes, pediatric AIDS, and childhood cancer combined.

Facts about autism:

• It is estimated that 500,000 children with autism will turn 18 in the next five years.
• Just over one percent of children in the United States ages 3-17 have a form of autism.
• The latest analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 54 children has ASD.
• Autism is more than four times common in boys than in girls.
• 1.5 million Americans live with autism.
• Autism accounts for nearly $60 billion in annual [healthcare] costs.
• Sixty percent of costs are on adult services.
• Cost of autism over a lifespan is $2.4 million per person.
• Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention.
• The expenditure in the school system for a child with autism is estimated to be 3 times that of a typical regular education student.
• Only 56% of children with autism finish high school.
• Only 21% of adults with disabilities participate in the labor force.

People with autism:

• A third of people with autism are nonverbal and may not respond to verbal cues.
• May appear anxious, nervous, upset for no apparent reason, or dart away unexpectedly.
• May engage in repetitive behaviors and self-stimulating behaviors.
• May not be able to speak or may speak with difficulty.
• May not understand right from wrong or the consequences of their actions.

Interacting with someone with autism:

• Use simple, concrete language.
• Speak slowly and allow time for response.
• Repeat simple questions and give lots of praise.
• Do not attempt physical contact.
• Remember that each individual is unique and will be different.

Signs of concern for further evaluation:

• A baby that does not babble, coo, gesture, point, wave, or grasp by 12 months.
• Does not say a single word by 16 months.
• Unable to say two-word phrases without help by 24 months.
• Has any loss of language or social skills at any age.