April is Autism Awareness Month.......

The month of April has been designated as Autism Awareness Month. In an effort to spread awareness, I have been posting a new "fact" about autism daily on my Facebook page. I also wanted to do an awareness post on my blog, so here it is.

Here are some basic facts about autism:

• Autism affects 1 in 99 children;
• Autism is more prevalent in boys than girls, with one in every 70 affected;
• More children are expected to be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined;
• Autism is the fastest-growing, serious developmental disability in the United States;
• The diagnosis and treatment of autism costs the nation roughly $35 billion per year;
• Autism receives less than 5 percent of research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases;
• Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls;

And the most important fact of all is: there currently is no medical detection or cure for autism.

Some of the more common signs of autism in children are:

• No babbling or pointing by age 1;
• No single words by 16 months or two-word phrases by age 2;
• No response to name;
• Loss of language or social skills;
• Poor eye contact;
• Excessive lining up of toys or objects; and
• No smiling or social responsiveness.

A child psychologist I know likes to say that if you've met one child with autism, you've met one child with autism. While there are similar signs and symptoms, every child is different. That is why there is an autism spectrum. Many higher-functioning autistics are extremely intelligent, with IQs that are off the charts. Yet, they often lack the social skills to be successful and accepted by their peers.

Children are not the only ones with autism. Autism is a lifelong disorder. There is no cure. However, with the proper therapy and early intervention, children with autism can learn to cope and fit into society. However, a crucial part of acceptance is education of the general population about autism.

If you suspect autism in a friend or family member, there are places to turn to for help. Following is a list of places in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. If anyone would like places in their area, please let me know, and I will be happy to research it for you.

Autism Resources -- Greater Pittsburgh Area

1. Autism Center of Pittsburgh -- 412-364-1886 -- website: http://www.autismcenterofpittsburgh.com

2. Wesley Spectrum -- 412-831-9390 -- website: http://www.wesleyspectrum.org

3. The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers -- 412-885-6000 -- website: http://www.afit.org