Autism is a pervasive developmental disability affecting the way a child is able to communicate, reason, learn, and interact with other people. It affects approximately one out of every 150 children. Most children with autism can be diagnosed by the age of three, though it is commonly diagnosed earlier or later. Some children diagnosed with autism seem to function and develop “typically” for the first year or two, only to suffer a decline in functioning or a haltering in development. Autism comes from a neurological disorder but its causes are currently unknown. Boys are four times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with this disability.

• Communication, both verbal (spoken or signed language) and nonverbal (reading facial expressions, body language), is likely to be mildly to severely impaired. Some children with autism have no verbal communication skills at diagnosis. This deficit is usually what serves as a “red flag”, letting parents know that something is “not right”.
• Social interactions. Children with autism have trouble interacting with other children, often preferring to play or “be” alone. They may seem aloof or socially indifferent and unable to or disinterested in making eye contact.
• Behavior. Most children with autism, but not all, exhibit repetitive or stereotyped behaviors, which do not seem to serve a particular purpose, atypical play skills (often repetitive and non-imaginative), tantrums, and demonstrate extreme sensitivity to change.

Of course, the above examples are simply examples to illustrate the difficulties children with autism may have. It is a fact that typically, without treatment, children with autism struggle in areas of communication, social interactions, and behaviors. How their difficulties are manifest varies from child to child in topography as well as levels of severity. The concept of autism being a “spectrum disorder” reflects the range of impairment that can exist when a child is diagnosed. Symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe. IQ’s of those diagnosed with autism vary, as well.

An autism diagnosis is made according to the DSM-IV manual. When a child displays 6 or more of 12 symptoms listed across 3 major areas: communication, social interaction, and behavior. The diagnosis is not made using a standard medical “test”. It is usually given after an observation of the child and after “ruling out” other possible diagnoses.