Fact Sheet
Understanding Autism
What is autism?
Autism is found to be one of the pervasive developmental disorders of the brain. Although most people believe Autism is a disease it is not. People with Autism show three types of symptoms:problems with verbal and nonverbal communication,impaired social interaction and unusual limited activities or interests. The different degree of Autism can vary from person to person. People with Autism often have difficulty with sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation. Symptoms usually appear during the first three years of childhood and continue through their lifetime. Studies suggest that some people have a genetic response to Autism. Researchers are looking for clues about which genes contribute to this causing Autism. Environmental factors also may play a huge role in many children who deal with Autism each day. Autism affects an estimated 10 to 20 of every 10,000 people, and is more likely to be found in males than females.
Is there any treatment?
At this moment in time there is no treatment to be found for Autism although many medicines have been found to work in reducing the symptoms. Educational, behavioral therapies and drug interventions are designed to cure specific symptoms.
What is the prognosis?
People with Autism have normal life expectancies. Symptoms in many children improve with the child's age. Some people with Autism eventually lead normal or near-normal lives. Adolescence can worsen behavior problems in some children, and parents should be ready to change treatment. About a third of children with Autism eventually develop epilepsy. The risk is highest in children with severe cognitive impairment and motor deficits.
What research is being done?
Researchers are investigating possible biologic markers present at birth that can identify infants at risk of Autism. Other studies are examining how different brain regions develop and their functions. Researchers hope these studies will provide new clues about how Autism develops and how brain abnormalities affect behavior.
Places to find help with Autism:
Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Ave.
Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814-3067
info@autism-society.org
http://www.autism-society.org
Tel: 301-657-0881 800-3AUTISM (328-8476)
Fax: 301-657-0869
Autism Research Institute (ARI)
4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
http://www.autismresearchinstitute.com
Tel: 619-281-7165
Fax: 619-563-6840
National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR)
99 Wall Street
Research Park
Princeton, NJ 08540
naar@naar.org
http://www.naar.org
Tel: 609-430-9160 888-777-NAAR (6227)
California: 310-230-3568
Fax: 609-430-9163
New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC)
1450 Parkside Avenue
Suite 22
Ewing, NJ 08638
information@njcosac.org
http://www.njcosac.org
Tel: 609-883-8100 NJ: 800-4-AUTISM (428-8476)
Fax: 609-883-5509
National Autism Hotline
Autism Services Center
605 Ninth Street, Prichard Bldg.
Huntington, WV 25701-0507
http://www.autismservicescenter.org/
Tel: 304-525-8014
Fax: 304-525-8026
Cure Autism Now (CAN) Foundation
5455 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 715
Los Angeles, CA 90036-4234
info@cureautismnow.org
http://www.cureautismnow.org
Tel: 323-549-0500 888-AUTISM (828-8476)
Fax: 323-549-0547
Autism National Committee (AUTCOM)
P.O. Box 6175
North Plymouth, MA 02362-6175
SusanG1961@aol.com
http://www.autcom.org
MAAP Services [For Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD]
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
chart@netnitco.net
http://www.maapservices.org/index.html
Tel: 219-662-1311
Fax: 219-662-0638
Autism Network International (ANI)
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse, NY 13235-5448
jisincla@mailbox.syr.edu
http://ani.autistics.org
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org
Tel: 203-744-0100
Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31, Rm. 2A32
Bethesda, MD 20892-2425
NICHDClearinghouse@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 301-496-5133 800-370-2943
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-241-1044 TTD/TTY: 241-1055
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013-1492
nichcy@aed.org
http://www.nichcy.org
Tel: 202-884-8200 800-695-0285
Fax: 202-884-8441
Jill Justice
