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Symptoms of Autism

Communication: Language develops slowly or not at all, use of words without attaching the usual meaning to them; communicates with gestures instead of words; short attention span.

Social Interaction: spends time alone rather than with others; shows little interest in making friends; less responsible to social cues such as eye contact or smiles.

Behaviors: may be overactive or very passive; throw frequent tantrums for no apparent reason; may perseverant on a single item, idea or person; apparent lack of common sense; may show aggressive or violent behavior or injure self.

There are differences among people with autism. Some individuals mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. They may have average or above average verbal, memory or spatial skills but find it difficult to be imaginative or join in a game of softball with their fiends. Others more severely affected may need greater assistance in handling day to day activities like crossing the street or making a purchase.

Facts about Autism

Did you know?

  • About 1 in 44 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. [Read article]
  • ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. [Read article]
  • ASD is more than 4 times more common among boys than among girls. [Read article]
  • About 1 in 6 (17%) children aged 3–17 years were diagnosed with a developmental disability, as reported by parents, during a study period of 2009-2017. These included autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, blindness, and cerebral palsy, among others. [Read summary]
  • Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
  • Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade
  • Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
  • There is no medical detection or cure for autism