What is Autism?
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today. (http://www.autism-society.org/about-autism/)
What are the symptoms of autism?
A person with ASD might:
How common is Autism?
Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 68 American children as on the autism spectrum–a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Studies also show that autism is four to five times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States.
(http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism)
Books about Autism:
Culp, S. (2011). A buffet of sensory interventions: Solutions for middle and high school students with autism spectrum disorders. Shawee Mission, KA:AAPC Publishing.
Faherty, C., & Mesibov, G. B. (2000). Asperger's--: what does it mean to me? : a workbook explaining self awareness and life lessons to the child or youth with High Functioning Autism or Aspergers : structured teaching ideas for home and school. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons.
Higashida, N., & Yoshida, K. A. (2013). The reason I jump the inner voice of a thirteen-year-old boy with autism. New York: Random House.
Melillo, R. (2013). Autism: the scientific truth about preventing, diagnosing, and treating autism spectrum disorders--and what parents can do now. First edition. New York, New York: Published by the Penguin Group.
Rogers, S. J., Dawson, G., & Vismara, L. A. (2012). An early start for your child with autism: Using everyday activities to help kids connect, communicate, and learn. New York: Guilford Press.
Solomon, A. (2012). Far from the tree: parents, children and the search for identity. NY: Scribner.
Taylor, P. (2011). A beginner's guide to autism spectrum disorders: Essential information for parents and professionals. Philadelphia, Pa: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Whitney, R.V. & Gibbs, V.D. (2014). Raising kids with sensory processing disorders. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press, Inc.
Websites about Autism:
Autism Society
Autism Speaks
Daily Scoop, LLC.
Pathfinders for Autism
*Also see additional tabs on the left for specific autism content.*
What are the symptoms of autism?
A person with ASD might:
- Not respond to their name by 12 months of age
- Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months
- Not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll) by 18 months
- Avoid eye contact and want to be alone
- Have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
- Have delayed speech and language skills
- Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
- Give unrelated answers to questions
- Get upset by minor changes
- Have obsessive interests
- Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles
- Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
How common is Autism?
Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 68 American children as on the autism spectrum–a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Studies also show that autism is four to five times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States.
(http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism)
Books about Autism:
Culp, S. (2011). A buffet of sensory interventions: Solutions for middle and high school students with autism spectrum disorders. Shawee Mission, KA:AAPC Publishing.
Faherty, C., & Mesibov, G. B. (2000). Asperger's--: what does it mean to me? : a workbook explaining self awareness and life lessons to the child or youth with High Functioning Autism or Aspergers : structured teaching ideas for home and school. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons.
Higashida, N., & Yoshida, K. A. (2013). The reason I jump the inner voice of a thirteen-year-old boy with autism. New York: Random House.
Melillo, R. (2013). Autism: the scientific truth about preventing, diagnosing, and treating autism spectrum disorders--and what parents can do now. First edition. New York, New York: Published by the Penguin Group.
Rogers, S. J., Dawson, G., & Vismara, L. A. (2012). An early start for your child with autism: Using everyday activities to help kids connect, communicate, and learn. New York: Guilford Press.
Solomon, A. (2012). Far from the tree: parents, children and the search for identity. NY: Scribner.
Taylor, P. (2011). A beginner's guide to autism spectrum disorders: Essential information for parents and professionals. Philadelphia, Pa: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Whitney, R.V. & Gibbs, V.D. (2014). Raising kids with sensory processing disorders. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press, Inc.
Websites about Autism:
Autism Society
Autism Speaks
Daily Scoop, LLC.
Pathfinders for Autism
*Also see additional tabs on the left for specific autism content.*