Facts About Autism
DISCLAIMER – The Autism Resource Foundation provides general information to the autism community. The information comes from a variety of sources, and the Autism Resource Foundation does not independently verify any of it, nor does it necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of the Autism Resource Foundation. Nothing on this website should be construed as medical advice. Always consult your doctor regarding the needs of your family.
Here are some facts about autism and the links to the resources that provided the information.
Top 10 Facts About Autism
Parents of children with autism quickly become authorities on the subject. What about in-laws, teachers, coaches, and cousins? Few people outside the immediate family really want to read 20 closely written pages from the National Institutes of Health. This brief, pithy article provides the bare bones basics for a quick read - along with links to more in-depth information for those who want to know.
1. Autism Is a 'Spectrum' Disorder
People with autism can be a little autistic or very autistic. Thus, it is possible to be bright, verbal, and autistic as well as mentally retarded, non-verbal and autistic. A disorder that includes such a broad range of symptoms is often called a spectrum disorder; hence the term "autism spectrum disorder." The most significant shared symptom is difficulty with social communication (eye contact, conversation, taking another's perspective, etc.).
2. Asperger Syndrome is a High Functioning Form of Autism
Asperger Syndrome (AS) is considered to be a part of the autism spectrum. The only significant difference between AS and High Functioning Autism is that people with AS usually develop speech right on time while people with autism usually have speech delays. People with AS are generally very bright and verbal, but have significant social deficits (which is why AS has earned the nickname "Geek Syndrome").
3. People With Autism Are Different from One Another
If you've seen Rainman or a TV show about autism, you may think you know what autism "looks like." In fact, though, when you've met one person with autism you've met ONE person with autism. Some people with autism are chatty; others are silent. Many have sensory issues, gastrointestinal problems; sleep difficulties and other medical problems. Others may have social-communication delays - and that's it.
4. There Are Dozens of Treatments for Autism - But No 'Cure'
So far as medical science is aware, there is at present no cure for autism. That's not to say that people with autism don't improve, because many improve radically. But even when people with autism increase their skills, they are still autistic, which means they think and perceive differently from most people. Children with autism may receive many types of treatments. Treatments may be biomedical, sensory, behavioral, developmental or even arts-based. Depending upon the child, certain treatments will be more successful than others.
5. There Are Many Theories on the Cause of Autism, But No Consensus
You may have seen or heard news stories about possible causes of autism. Theories range from mercury in infant vaccines to genetics to the age of the parents to almost everything else. At present, most researchers think autism is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors - and it's quite possible that different people's symptoms have different causes.
6. People Don't Grow Out of Autism
Autism is a lifelong diagnosis. For some people, often (but not always) those who receive intensive early intervention, symptoms may decrease radically. People with autism can also learn coping skills to help them manage their difficulties and even build on their unique strengths. But a person with autism will probably be autistic throughout their lives.
7. Families Coping with Autism Need Help and Support
Even "high functioning" autism is challenging for parents. "Low functioning" autism can be overwhelming to the entire family. Families may be under a great deal of stress, and they need all the non-judgemental help they can get from friends, extended family, and service providers. Respite care (someone else taking care of the person with autism while other family members take a break) can be a marriage and/or family-saver!
8. There's No 'Best School' for a Child with Autism
You may have heard of a wonderful "autism school," or read of a child doing amazingly well in a particular type of classroom setting. While any given setting may be perfect for any given child, every child with autism has unique needs. Even in an ideal world, "including" a child with autism in a typical class may not be the best choice. Decisions about autistic education are generally made by a team made up of parents, teachers, administrators and therapists who know the child well.
9. There Are Many Unfounded Myths About Autism
The media is full of stories about autism, and many of those stories are less than accurate. For example, you may have heard that people with autism are cold and unfeeling, or that people with autism never marry or hold productive jobs. Since every person with autism is different, however, such "always" and "never" statements simply don't hold water. To understand a person with autism, it's a good idea to spend some time getting to know him or her - personally!
10. Autistic People Have Many Strengths and Abilities
It may seem that autism is a wholly negative diagnosis. But almost everyone on the autism spectrum has a great to deal to offer the world. People with autism are among the most forthright, non-judgmental, passionate people you'll ever meet. They are also ideal candidates for many types of careers.
About Autism - Information For Kids Who Know A Friend With Autism
Autism is a developmental disability that affects people in all parts of our world. Children with autism may have a different way of seeing, hearing or feeling things. They can be black or white, rich or poor, tall or small. More boys seem to have autism than girls, although both boys and girls have autism. They might go to your school, live in your neighborhood or swim at your pool.
Children with autism have difficulty communicating with others. Some children with autism have trouble talking. There are some people with autism who don't speak at all, others who speak sometimes, and some who talk just like you. Some kids with autism cannot speak, so they learn to use computers or pictures to tell people what they want or how they feel.
You may hear a kid with autism repeat a word or phrase that someone else said to them. They often don't ask for what they want or need... or talk about their feelings.
Kids with autism may act a little different from other kids or act like they can't see or hear people.
Kids with autism might go to your school or church, live in your neighborhood or swim at your pool.
Sometimes, kids with autism may do other things that seem different-- like rocking their bodies back and forth, flicking their fingers or making noises.
It's not easy for children with autism to make friends, because they may act differently. But everybody is different! That's what makes being friends with other kids more fun. You can learn a lot from each other.
Some kids with autism have special diets, because they can't eat wheat (like pretzels and cupcakes) or dairy (like milk and ice cream). But, they have their own foods which are yummy, too-- and staying away from the other foods make them feel better!
How can I help my autistic friends?
You can help your friends with autism to talk better and learn games by playing with them and showing him how to do things at school. They may be in a classroom like yours all day long with a special helper, or only come into your class for part of the day.
Sometimes kids with autism have a hard time figuring out the rules of a game. They might not understand how to play, but you can help them. Sit down next to your friend with autism and help them learn the rules. Then, they can have fun, too! It takes longer, but they still can learn to play like you do.
You might have to ask them a question several times before they answer or you may have to look at their picture cards. Be patient, though. Being a good friend always pays off!
Can Autism be Cured?
That's what we're working on. Around the world, scientists are doing research to find out what causes autism and how to help kids and grown-ups who have it.
Nobody knows what causes it yet, but hopefully we will in the future. The children who have autism can be helped to grow up like other kids. By getting lots of help from therapists, teachers, family and friends, they can join more and more in the world. They have feelings and care for others.
Autism Awareness for Kids - Angelfire.com
Autism Puzzle/Ribbon
- “The puzzle pattern stands for the mystery of autism. The different colors and shapes stand for the different people and families living with autism. The brightness of the ribbon stands for hope and awareness!”
When a person has autism, it means that something in their brain is different from other people’s brains. This is the reason they may behave differently.
Some people with autism have trouble understanding words and communicating with others. Discuss how using pictures can help.
Some people with autism have difficulty playing and/or relating to other people. Sometimes they just don’t know how to interact and need to be taught this skill.
Some kids with autism might have a tantrum. This might happen when they become frustrated and are unable to communicate their wants or needs. It might also be caused by something happening in their environment that is causing them pain or discomfort (examples: a smell, noise, or an uncomfortable or painful touch).
Quick facts
- You CANNOT catch autism from somebody.
- There is no cure for autism
- People who are born with autism will not outgrow it, although they might find ways to fit in to the world around them as they grow up.
- People with autism can get jobs.
- Children with autism need friends just like other kids.
- People with autism need others to be patient with them.
- Some people with autism may get upset when things change in their environment or schedule. It is important to warn them ahead of time if changes will happen.
- People with autism are NOT all alike. They have different behaviors, personalities and needs.
- People with autism are able to learn, but may need a special classroom for certain subjects. They may also need to learn by having lots of pictures shown to them during classes and may need schedules shown to them during the day so they know what to expect.
- More boys have autism than girls (4 out of 5). Autism is usually seen by the time the child is 3 years old.
Autistic kids experience the world differently from the way most other kids do. Those differences make it hard for kids with autism to communicate with others and react to things going on around them in the usual ways.
Autism also creates a confusing world of senses. Quiet sounds may be loud and distracting to a kid with autism. A sudden noise could be terrifying. A person's touch might set off a wave of strong sensations - like when a chill gives you the shivers, but much worse.
When someone smiles, a kid without autism knows that the smiling person is happy or being friendly. Kids with autism, however, have trouble connecting a person's gestures - such as a smile or frown - with the person's feelings.
It's difficult, too, for kids with autism to link words with their meanings. Imagine trying to talk with someone or learn from a teacher if you couldn't make sense of their words and gestures and couldn't come up with the right words to express your own thoughts!
Discussion And Examples:
- Ask the students how they feel sitting with both feet flat on the floor and hands on their laps. Discuss what they need to do to feel comfortable again. Explain to students that people with autism may do things to make themselves feel comfortable again too such as flapping their hands, playing with a spinning object or just getting up and pacing back and forth.
- Walk to the back of the room and slam a book on the floor when students are not looking. Ask students how they felt about the noise. Explain that although this was a very loud noise, students with autism may hear quiet noises as being loud sometimes and some noises, even quiet ones may, startle some people with autism.
- Have an assistant flicker the lights in the room on and off continually while you ask questions about autism to students. Keep the lights flickering until students are annoyed. Now discuss how distracting it was for students to pay attention to you and others with the lights flickering on and off. Explain that some people with autism may actually see fluorescent lights flicker even though people without autism do not. Explain how distracting and frustrating this could be to a person with autism.
- Also talk about how some people with autism might not make eye contact with others when talking and although they are not looking at you, they are probably still paying attention. Some people with autism have stated that it is very difficult to look at a persons face or eyes when talking. Some people with autism have even described it as being “painful”.
- Turn the radio on loud while you discuss the flickering light frustrations. Explain to the students this is how some people with autism might hear a radio, even when the volume is low.
Quick Facts About Autism
- Many kids are making enormous strides and a significant number are now indistinguishable from their peers.
- Behavioral therapies, diet, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and medical interventions are some of the treatments effectively being used.
- Most of the above interventions are considered experimental and are not supported by the medical community.
- Autism is a condition whose treatments are specifically excluded by some insurance companies.
Autism Society of America (ASA)
Facts and Stats
- 1 in 150 births
- 1 to 1.5 million Americans
- Fastest-growing developmental disability
- 10 - 17 % annual growth
- Growth comparison during the 1990s:
- U.S. population increase: 13%
- Disabilities increase: 16%
- Autism increase: 172%
- $90 billion annual cost
- 90% of costs are in adult services
- Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention
- In 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400 billion
Autism Speaks / Cure Autism Now (CAN)
Did you know…
- 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism
- 1 in 94 boys is on the autism spectrum
- 67 children are diagnosed per day
- A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes
- More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined
- Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
- Autism costs the nation over $90 billion per year, a figure expected to double in the next decade
- Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
- Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
- There is no medical detection or cure for autism
Incidence vs. Private Funding
- Leukemia: Affects 1 in 25,000 / Funding: $310 million
- Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 20,000 / Funding: $175 million
- Pediatric AIDS: Affects 1 in 8,000 / Funding: $394 million
- Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500 / Funding: $130 million
- Autism: Affects 1 in 150 / Funding: $15 million
National Institutes of Health Funds Allocation
- Total 2005 NIH budget: $29 billion
- Of this, only $100 million goes towards autism research. This represents 0.3% of total NIH funding.
The Basic Facts About Autism
- Autism is a developmental disability, which usually begins before 3 years of age and is a life-long disability.
- The incidence of autism is approximately 1 out of every 150 births.
- People with autism have a normal life span.
- Autism is 4-5 times more prevalent in males than in females.
- Presently, there is no cure for autism. However, there are various treatment options to ameliorate the symptoms.
- Presently, there is no known single cause for autism. However, autism is not caused environmentally by a child's upbringing.
- Research indicates that people with autism learn best through a structured environment.
- Autism occurs in all countries and within all socioeconomic classes.
- Research indicates that the earlier the intervention, the better for people with autism.
- While people with autism share common characteristics - each person is unique with their own strengths and challenges.
- Autism is found throughout the world in families of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Autism is a lifelong developmental disability.