Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically appears during the first years of life and lasts throughout a person's lifetime. This complex developmental disability affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others, and its symptoms range from mild to quite severe. This disorder affects all of mental development and the symptoms look different at different ages. Certain features do not become apparent until later; others disappear with time.

Autism is part of a group of disorders that are known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). For more information on autism spectrum disorders (ASD), click here.

Autism can affect any family and any child. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely in boys than girls. Both children and adults on the autism spectrum typically show the repetitive behaviors, the impairment in communication skills and social abilities. For more information about other symptoms related to ASD, click here.

There are no medical tests to diagnose autism and children do not "outgrow" it but studies show that early diagnosis and early intervention are critical and lead to significantly improved outcomes. To learn more about intervention, education and treatment, click here.

A very brief history of autism

http://www.bestbehaviour.ca/briefhistory.htm

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability and based on prevalence statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007), it appears 1 in 150 births. According to Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen, professor of Developmental Psychopathology and director of Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University, UK, the prevalence of autism is 1 in 100 (Baron-Cohen, 2008, p.15).

Baron-Cohen, S., (2008). The Facts. Autism and Asperger syndrome. New York: Oxford University Press Inc.