Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects a persons brain and typically appears during the first three years of life. ASD's are Autism Spectrum Disorders. That means ASD's relate to each person in different ways. People with ASD's share some similar symptoms, such as significant language delays, social and communication challenges, and unusual behaviors and interests. But there are differences in when the symptoms start, how severe they are, and the exact nature of the symptom. Many people with ASD's also have intellectual disability.
There is currently no cure for ADSD's. However, research shows that early intervention treatment services can greatly improve a child's development.
ASD's occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and are four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls. The Center for Disease Control estimates that between 1 in 80 and 1 in 240, with an average of 1 in 100, children in the united States have an ASD.