What is Autism?
- Autism comes from the Greek word auto meaning “self” or children who are within themselves
- It is a lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life.  The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain.  It occurs in as many as I in 500 people.
- It is more prevalent in boys than girls
- Impacts normal development of the brain in areas of social interaction and communication and play

What behaviors do Autistic children display?
-Self-injurious behavior
-Weird responses to people
Attachments to objects
-Repeated body movements, rocking, hand-flapping
-Very sensitive with the five senses
-Impairs language
-The child needs rigid routine
-Experiences both eating and sleeping disorders
-They need control of their environment and tend to throw tantrums when not
-They don’t play make believe
-Not very loving
-Likes to be alone
-Like shinny objects
-When talking they tend to mix up “I” and “You”

Other Information:
- Autism is more common than Down syndrome, MS or Cystic Fibrosis, but it still receives less than 5% of funding.
- Even with intervention most people don’t marry, have a job or live independently
- ½ of Autistic people never speak
- Intelligence levels are unknown because most Autistic people don’t speak.
- Some Autistic people have special talents like remembering facts such as capitals, jigsaw puzzles, multiplication tables, etc.

Resources
www.autism-society.org/
www.cureautismnow.org/aboutcan/autismis.cfm
http://search.syr.edu/~rjkopp/autism.html
http://www.comebackjack.com
http://www.angelfire.com/bc/autism/stories.html

Please Don’t Say Hello by Phyllis Gold
Ian’s Walk: Story About Autism by Laurie Lears
Russell is Extra Special: A Book About Autism for Children by Charles A. Amenta III, M.D.