April is National Autism Awareness Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism spectrum disorders now affect 1 in 110 children. Autism is more common than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and AIDS combined.

What is autism?
Autism is a neurologically-based developmental disability that affects the way a child’s brain develops and results in differences in the way that a child communicates, behaves, and socializes.
What does it mean that autism is a "spectrum" disorder?
In a spectrum disorder, symptoms and characteristics present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe and in any combination.

What is Asperger's disorder?

In layman's terms, Asperger's is a disorder on the autism spectrum. Individuals with Asperger's disorder are often considered mildly affected by autism in the sense that there are no significant language and cognitive delays. Persons with Asperger's experience impairments in social interactions and restriction in activities.

What are the signs of autism?

Parents, teachers and medical professionals may look for these behaviors:

• not responding to name;
  
• doesn't point to wave goodbye;
  
• used to say a few words, but now doesn't;
  
• intense tantrums;
  
• odd movement (twirling, flapping, rocking);
  
• poor eye contact;
  
• unusual attachment to objects or schedules;
  
• lining up items in a certain order.
  Having one or more of these signs indicates the need for a developmental screening.

When should a child be evaluated for autism?
Most pediatricians perform a developmental screening at well-child visits during the preschool years. These screenings allow the doctor to monitor the child’s development and to look for any red flags. If the doctor has reason for concern, he/she will refer the family to a specialist for an evaluation.