Updated 7/8/2024
What Is Autism?
Autism is a developmental disorder that frequently causes significant social, communication, and
behavioral impairment. It is a spectrum condition, individual symptoms and severity
vary from person to person.
Early Signs And What To Look For
Signs and Symptoms
Autism can begin in the early part of their lives. Some children have less eye contact, others may not respond when you call their name but enjoy company from caregivers easily enough; some struggle with language skills while other don’t seem affected at all- it depends what severity there is!
Other children remain alert and responsive throughout their early years and then suddenly lose language skills as they age. Symptoms are typically observed by age, two years.
Every child with autism spectrum disorder will have a unique pattern of behavior and severity — from low functioning to high functioning. Some children with autism spectrum disorder learn poorly, while others have normal to high intelligence. Because of the unique mixture of symptoms in each child, severity can sometimes be difficult to determine.
The Statistics:
Information Came From The National Autism Association
Top 10 Autism Statistics for 2024
- Autism affects 1 in 36 children in the US.
- ASD prevalence in the US has increased by 312% since 2000.
- Boys are diagnosed with autism 4.2 times more often than girls.
- Autism is most common among Asian and Pacific Islander children.
- 26.7% of autistic 8-year-olds in the US have profound autism.
- Globally, the UK has the highest autism rate per 100,000 people.
- The average age of autism diagnosis is 4 years.
- Epilepsy affects up to 30% of autistic children.
- 73.6% of autistic students in the US leave high school with a diploma.
- 50% of autistic youths receive vocational rehabilitation (VR) services.
However, as a mother keep in mind that early intervention is crucial.
I’ll always be appreciative to the nurse who advised me to have him evaluated and urged me to rule it out. My son wouldn’t be able to speak or do what he can today on his own or with little assistance if I hadn’t listened to her.
