Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person’s ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, or form relationships with others. Autism is typically diagnosed by the age of 2-3 years old. Autism affects people of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Few disorders are as devastating to a child and his or her family. While some people with autism are mildly affected, most people with the condition will require lifelong supervision and have significant language impairments. Many children with autism will never speak.
Autism is now found at epidemic proportions world-wide with 1 in 68 children affected, 1 in 42 boys.
What is making our children sick?
Currently, the causes of autism are unknown and there is no definitive medical treatment. ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is the only current therapy known to help children.
Sensory based therapies are also recommended. Physicians do not have a blood test or diagnostic scan that can definitively diagnose the disorder. The diagnosis for autism therefore, is based solely upon observations of behavior.
New research has found there to be a genetic component to autism, however, it is also believed that there is an environmental link to the cause of autism. Current research involves mapping the entire human genome and looking at the environmental factors that affect them.