According to Jon Baio of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 88 children is diagnosed with autism (1 of every 54 males and 1 in every 252 females). With so many people dealing with autism, there's little doubt that, in one or another, each of us will know somebody who is autistic.not. .
The Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 (I.D.E.A.), states that autism is a complex developmental disability which typically appears during the first three years of life, affecting a person in three areas: communication, social interaction, and academic performance. The disorder is is often referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder and reveals itself in each individual differently; and to varying degrees. .
So, what causes autism? There is not a single known cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function according to the textbook Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Today's Schools by Turnbull and Wehmeyer in 2010. However, in the past few years it has been said that the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccination, which is required for children to start school, can cause autism. For example, I have a cousin who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4 after having the MMR vaccinations at daycare. .
There are many characteristics of autism and most have a wide range of severity. The first characteristic I want to talk to you about today is language development. The child can range from no verbal communication to very complex communication with a large vocabulary. They may be abnormally quiet or loud and have difficulty whispering. Next, social development plays a big part for individuals diagnosed with autism. They may show little to no eye contact with others. They may resist to being held or touched or could tend to get too close while speaking to someone, completely disregarding personal space. They may talk excessively about one or two topics.
