April 2nd Is World Autism Awareness Day

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. One of many good resources for family members of those with autism is the AutismSpeaks Web site. Here are excerpts from the Wikipedia entry on autism:

Autism is a brain development disorder that impairs social interaction and communication, and causes restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before a child is three years old. This set of signs distinguishes autism from milder autism spectrum disorders (ASD) such as Asperger syndrome.^[1]

Autism is highly heritable, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is generally unclear which genes are responsible.^[2] In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects.^[3] Other proposed causes, such as childhood vaccines, are controversial and the vaccine hypotheses lack convincing scientific evidence.^[4] Most recent reviews estimate a prevalence of one to two cases per 1,000 people for autism, and about six per 1,000 for ASD, with ASD averaging a 4.3:1 male-to-female ratio. The number of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, at least partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved.^[5]

Autism affects many parts of the brain; how this occurs is poorly understood. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. Early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills. There is no cure.^[6] Few children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, but some become successful,^[7] and an autistic culture has developed, with some seeking a cure and others believing that autism is a condition rather than a disorder.