This handout has been written for parents and other caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders.  It will give you some information on the condition and answer questions about ways to manage the disorder without prescription drugs.  It discusses what may be helpful and what is not.

What is autism?

Autism is a type of developmental disability.  Developmental disabilities begin early in life.  They cause difficulties in the way a person gets along in the world.  They usually last lifelong.   Symptoms of autism generally show up before age three, often by 18 months of age.  They can improve over time with treatment.  The main symptoms of autism include: 1) difficulty talking, pointing, and looking someone in the eyes, 2) trouble showing emotions, understanding how others think and feel, and having a conversation 3) very rigid routines or actions that are repeated over and over again.  

What are Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)? 

The terms autism and autism spectrum disorder refer to the same condition.  The term autism spectrum disorder recognizes that people with autism can be affected differently.  One can think of it as a group of similar disorders.  Some people have only mild symptoms.  Others have great difficulty throughout life.  A person with symptoms anywhere in this range is said to have an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

How common are Autism Spectrum Disorders?

In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that in the United States, one child in every 110 eight years of age had an ASD.  It is more common in boys (about one in 70). About one girl in 315 has an ASD.  Autism seems to be increasing.  ASDs increased 57% in 10 of the 11 sites studied from 2002 to 2006. Some of this increase may be due to better efforts in diagnosing the condition.