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What Are The Symptoms of Autism?

	Slow development or lack of physical, social, and learning skills.
	Immature rhythms of speech, limited understanding of ideas, and use of words without attaching the usual meaning to them.
	Abnormal response to sensations; sight, hearing, touch, pain, balance, smell, taste, the way a child holds his body - any one or a combination of these responses may be affected.
	Abnormal way of relating to people, objects and events.

Behavioral Checklist For Autism.

The following is a checklist of 14 behavioral signs and symptoms that may aid you in the evaluation of an individual in whom autism is suspected. A child with autism will exhibit seven or more of the following traits:

	Difficulty in mixing with other children.
	Acts deaf.
	Resists learning.
	No fear of real dangers.
	Resists changes in routine.
	Indicates needs by gesture ( leads adults by the hand to a desired object).
	Inappropriate laughing or giggling.
	Resists cuddling or being touched.
	Marked physical overactivity.
	Poor eye contact.
	Inappropriate attachment to objects.
	Spins objects.
	Sustained odd play.
	Standoffish manner.

What Is Autism?

Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism and its associated behaviors occur in approximately 15 of every 10,000 individuals, although this statistic is on the rise.

Autism interferes with the normal development of the brain in the areas of reasoning, social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have deficiencies in verbal and non-verbal communication ,social interactions, and leisure and play activities. The disorder makes it hard for them to communicate with others and relate to the outside world. They may exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping and rocking), unusual responses to people or attachment to objects, and resist changes in routines. In some cases, aggressive and/ or self-injurious behavior may be present.

It is conservatively estimated that nearly 400,000 people in the U.S. today have some form of autism. Its prevalence rate now places it as the third most common developmental disability - more common than Down Syndrome. Yet the majority of the public, including many professionals in the medical, educational, and vocational fields are still unaware of how autism affects people and how to effectively work with individuals with autism.

Did You Know That...

In California autism is funded as a "low incidence" disability which provides additional monies to your school district to serve pupils with autism!

Learn More About Autism...

	To link to online publications from NICHCY or view a list of Fax on Demand documents available from the Autism Society of America.
	To browse our list of "Links" to autism resources on the net.
	To find support!
	To join the Autism Society of Orange County, a chapter of the Autism Society of America.

© Autism Society of America - Orange County Chapter
Last revised: 9/29/1999

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