Autism is a complex developmental disorder that severely impairs a child's ability to communicate and socialize with others. Children with autism often have sensitivities to touch, sounds, smells and visual stimuli. They may have difficulty processing information in the world around them, making it a stressful and, at times, frightening place. To cope, many children with autism become ritualistic and intolerant of change. Autism touches children of all races and economics levels, affecting boys 4 times more frequently than girls. Many believe autism occurs due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but there is still no proven cause.
Many children diagnosed with autism start life normally as engaging, babbling toddlers, meeting all their developmental milestones. But they then begin to slip away. They stop making eye contact and fail to show recognition towards others. They become silent, withdrawn, indifferent and sometimes inconsolable or self abusive. It can be devastating for the parents to lose a precious young child to this complex disorder.
No parent wants their child diagnosed with autism, but many symptoms of autism are treatable. The earlier a child with autism starts treatment and interventions, the better the outcome for that child.