Autism is a neurological and biological disorder typically diagosed in children between the ages of 18 months and 5 years. It affects normal functioning of the brain, impacting communication, social skills, behavior, and learning. Autism affects each individual differently and with varying levels of severity. - TACA website
Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development".
The five disorders under PDD are:
- Autistic Disorder
- Asperger's Disorder
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
- Rett's Disorder
- PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which have been outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). Click here to see a copy of the DSM-IV-TR Criteria.
Autism Facts (as quoted from the CDC)
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects an estimated 1 in 110 births. It is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. However, it is also found to be 4 or 5 times more likely to occur in boys, with a prevelance of 1 in 70 births.
About 40% of children with ASD do not talk at all. Another 25%-30% of children with ASD have some words at 12 to 18 months and then lose them. Others may speak but not until later in childhood.
The median age of earliest ASD Diagnosis is between 4.5 and 5.5 years, but for 51%-91% of children with ASD, developmental concerns had been recorded before 3 years of age.