A form of Autism Milder than Autism, but shares some of the symptoms

Medline Plus 2011

Group of developmental disabilities Diagnosed 4 times more often in boys than girls No cure currently Does not effect life expectancy
Burrell Autism Center 2009

Affects 1 in 150 Can cause significant challenges in:

Social Skills Communication Skills Behavior

Early intervention/treatment can greatly improve symptoms

Burrell Autism Center, 2009

No Exact Cause Many Different Theories Current Research links to biological or neurological differences

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2010

The belief that poor parenting practices causes ASD is not true However, there is some evidence that the critical period for developing ASD occurs before birth. Concerns about vaccines and infections have led researchers to consider risk factors before and after birth.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2010

Begins before the age of 3 and last throughout a persons life Some children with ASD show signs/symptoms in the first few months of life and others might not show up until age 2 or later Some children seem to develop normally until around 18-24 months of age and then they stop gaining new skills or lose the skills they once had.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2010

Not respond to their name by 12 months Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months Not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll) by 18 months Avoid eye contact and want to be alone Have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2010

Have delayed speech and language skills Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia) Give unrelated answers to questions Get upset by minor changes Have obsessive interests Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2010

Children who have a sibling or parent with an ASD are at a higher risk of having an ASD Tends to occur more often in people who have certain other medical conditions Some harmful drugs taken during pregnancy linked with higher risks

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2010

Multi-year study funded by CDC One of the largest U.S studies to date Looking at many possible risk factors for ASDs including

Genetic Environmental Pregnancy Behavioral factors

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2010

Physical and behavioral characteristics of children with ASDs, children with other developmental disabilities, and children without a developmental delay or disability Health conditions among children with and without ASDs Factors associated with a childs risk for developing ASDs

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2010