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Facts About Autism

Autism is a developmental disability, which usually begins before 3 years of age and is a life-long disability.
The incidence of autism is approximately 1 out of every 150 births.
People with autism have a normal life span.
Autism is 4-5 times more prevalent in males than in females.
Presently, there is no cure for autism. However, there are various treatment options to ameliorate the symptoms.
Presently, there is no known single cause for autism. However, autism is not caused environmentally by a child's upbringing.
Research indicates that people with autism learn best through a structured environment.
Autism occurs in all countries and within all socioeconomic classes.
Research indicates that the earlier the intervention, the better for people with autism.

Autism is not a rare disorder. It is more common than Down syndrome or childhood cancer.
Autism is a neurologically based developmental disability, not an emotional disorder.
Unlike many other disorders, with the proper knowledge, autism can be detected as early as 18 months of age, offering hope for intervention during the period when the brain is most plastic.
It has been discovered that some children with autism have a dramatic response to early intensive behavioral interventions, and most are helped substantially. For example, early intervention can result in a significant increase in IQ and language ability and a decrease in support services needed later in childhood. These results stand in stark contrast to the very poor outcomes of children who do not receive early intervention.
Because of this remarkable response to intervention, we now have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on numerous individuals and society. The lifetime net financial cost savings per individual who receives intensive early intervention can be 2 million dollars (US). The impact on the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families is immeasurable.

Myth vs. Reality

There are many common myths that surround autism. Here we try to separate fact from fiction.

Myth Reality
Autism (including Asperger syndrome) is a rare condition Autism is no longer seen as a rare condition, as it effects 1 out of every 150 individuals.
Autism is a new phenomenon The first detailed description of a child we now know had autism was written in 1799 by Jean Itard in his account of the wild boy of Aveyron.
Autism is the result of emotional deprivation or emotional stress Autism is a complex developmental disability involving a biological or organic defect in the functioning of the brain
Autism is due to parental rejection or cold, unemotional parents Autism has nothing whatsoever to do with the way parents bring up their children
A person with autism cannot be educated With the right structured support within and outside of school, individuals with autism can be helped to reach their full potential
People with autism wish to avoid social contact People with autism are often keen to make friends but, due to their disability, find this difficult
People with autism look different from other people Autism is an invisible disability - most people with an autistic spectrum disorder look just like anyone else who does not have this condition
Autism is a childhood condition Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with no cure. Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism
All people with autism have a extraordinary ability like the Dustin Hoffman character in the film Rainman People with autism who have an extraordinary talent are referred to as 'autistic savants'. Savants are rare: Between 2 and 3% of the UK population have some degree of learning disability, but only 0.06% of these were initially estimated to possess an unusually high level of specific ability. Savant ability is more frequently associated with those having some form of autism rather than with other disabilities. Current thinking holds that at most 1 or 2 in 200 individuals with an autistic spectrum disorder might have a genuine savant talent.

Myth	Reality
Autism (including Asperger syndrome) is a rare condition	Autism is no longer seen as a rare condition, as it effects 1 out of every 150 individuals.
Autism is a new phenomenon	The first detailed description of a child we now know had autism was written in 1799 by Jean Itard in his account of the wild boy of Aveyron.
Autism is the result of emotional deprivation or emotional stress	Autism is a complex developmental disability involving a biological or organic defect in the functioning of the brain
Autism is due to parental rejection or cold, unemotional parents	Autism has nothing whatsoever to do with the way parents bring up their children
A person with autism cannot be educated	With the right structured support within and outside of school, individuals with autism can be helped to reach their full potential
People with autism wish to avoid social contact	People with autism are often keen to make friends but, due to their disability, find this difficult
People with autism look different from other people	Autism is an invisible disability - most people with an autistic spectrum disorder look just like anyone else who does not have this condition
Autism is a childhood condition	Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with no cure. Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism
All people with autism have a extraordinary ability like the Dustin Hoffman character in the film Rainman	People with autism who have an extraordinary talent are referred to as 'autistic savants'. Savants are rare: Between 2 and 3% of the UK population have some degree of learning disability, but only 0.06% of these were initially estimated to possess an unusually high level of specific ability. Savant ability is more frequently associated with those having some form of autism rather than with other disabilities. Current thinking holds that at most 1 or 2 in 200 individuals with an autistic spectrum disorder might have a genuine savant talent.