Winning Over Autism

It has been said that if you don't know someone with autism, that you most likely will. This is due to the rising rate of incidence. Autism or ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is at an all time high. About 10 years ago, it affected as many as 1 per 166 (per Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2001). In a more recent report (2007) from the CDC, it affects 1 per 150 children born and is 4 times more prevalent in boys than girls. In Illinois alone, the number of children who receive special education for autism has exploded from 1,960 to 9,455 according to the Autism Society of Illinois.

Autism is considered the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States, with a child being diagnosed every 21 minutes. And, on the global front, England and Ireland reported that autism is affecting one in 58 individuals. So, if you don't know someone with autism now, you will soon - your neighbor, your child's classmate, someone on the playground or even someone in your family! Therefore, it is necessary to help promote awareness and understanding while advocating a message of hope that is educating and empowering families.

What Is Autism?

It is a complicated neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. It is often diagnosed in children as young as 18 months old, and affects every race, ethnic group and socio-economic status. It is an "equal opportunity disorder" per Sheena Coleman of NAELM. This disorder typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime.

Autism is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Autistic disorder is the most commonly known type of ASD. Others include "pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified" (PDD-NOS) and Asperger Syndrome. Children who with some symptoms of autism, but not enough to be diagnosed with classical autism, are oftentimes diagnosed with PDD-NOS. On the other hand, children with autistic behaviors but well-developed language skills are often diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.

In addition, children who are developing normally and then suddenly deteriorate between the ages of 3 to 10 years and show marked autistic behaviors may be diagnosed with childhood disorder called disintegrative disorder. Another group, within the autism spectrum disorders, is girls with autistic symptoms that may be suffering from Rett syndrome. This is a sex-linked genetic disorder characterized by hand wringing, social withdrawal, and regressed language skills. One of the major television networks recently did a special on Rett syndrome.