Think you know autism?

Facts

Boys are five times more likely to have autism than girls.

About 20 to 30 percent of children with an ASD develop epilepsy by the time they reach adulthood.

Autism is more common than childhood cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.

Many children with autism have a reduced sensitivity to pain but may be extra sensitive to sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation—which may contribute to a reluctance to being cuddled or hugged.

Dogs have been shown to improve autistic children’s quality of life, independence, and safety. The presence of a trained dog can reduce aggressive behavior, calm the child, and serve as a link to the child’s community.

Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function. Individuals with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder.

43% of young people with autism surveyed in 2011 felt teachers didn't know enough about the condition .

Children with autism do progress – early intervention is key.

Autism is treatable, not a hopeless condition.

Myths

People with autism are just like Dustin Hoffman's character in Rain Man. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning its characteristics vary significantly from person to person. Knowing one person with autism means just that—knowing one person with autism.

People with autism will have autism forever. Recent research has shown that children with autism can make enough improvement after intensive early intervention to "test out" of the autism diagnosis.

Therapies for people with autism are covered by insurance. Most insurance companies exclude autism from the coverage plan and only half of the 50 states currently require coverage for treatments of autism spectrum disorders.

The appearance of autism is relatively new.
Autism was first described by scientist Leo Kranner in 1943, but the earliest description of a child now known to have had autism was written in 1799

People with autism can’t feel or express any emotion—happy or sad. Autism doesn’t make an individual unable to feel the emotions you feel, it just makes the person communicate emotions in different ways.

Autistic People Can't Do Much of Anything. Autistic individuals can achieve great things -- but only if they're supported by people who believe in their potential.

Famous people on the spectrum