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About Autism
Children and adults with autism typically
have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal leisure or play activities.
Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects
each individual differently and to varying degrees. It is four times more
prevalent in boys than girls, and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries.
Family income, lifestyle, and education levels do not affect the chance of
autism's occurrence.
Autism typically appears during the first
three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects
the functioning of the brain, Autism and it's associated behavior have been
estimated to occur in as many as 2 to 6 in 1,000 individuals (Centers of Disease
Control and Prevention - 2001). This means that as many as 1.5 millions
Americans - children and adults - are thought to have some form of autism today.
Based on statistics from the U.S. Department
of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a rate of
10-17 percent per year. At these rates it is estimated by the Autism
Society of America, that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million
Americans in the next decade.
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