Do you know what the nation’s fastest growing serious developmental disability is? The answer might surprise you. It is autism. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, AIDS and cancer. Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder impairing communication, behavior, learning and social skills. At this time, nearly 1.5 million people are affected but in the next decade the numbers will rise to a staggering 4 million.
In the past, children with autism were typically diagnosed between 3 and 4 years of age but the American Academy of Pediatrics has revised their policy so children who are at risk are detected by age 2. In general, you can achieve better outcomes if you intervene and start intensive therapy before age 3.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of a toddler with autism is the inability to engage another person’s attention to share enjoyment, which is called joint attention. This ability is almost always present in typical children by 16 to 18 months of age.
No one knows what causes autism. Unfortunately, autism receives less than 5% of the federal funding devoted to many less prevalent childhood diseases. The economic costs are staggering to families with autistic children, as most insurance companies don’t cover the costs of early intervention.
Here are some signs to look for in the children in your life:
- Lack of or delay in spoken language
- Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (hand-flapping, twirling objects)
- Little or no eye contact
- Lack of interest in peer relationships
- Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
- Persistent fixation on parts of objects
For more information on autism and its spectrum disorders, check out this organization on the web:
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