Download April is National Autism Awareness Month

Autism is a general term used to describe a
group of complex developmental brain
disorders known as Persuasive
Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other
persuasive developmental disorders are
PDD-NOS (Persuasive Developmental
Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified),
Asperger’s Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, and
Childhood Disintegrated Disorder. Many
parents and professionals refer to this as
Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1
in 70 boys
• Autism prevalence figures are going
• More children will be diagnosed with
autism this year than AIDS, diabetes, &
cancer combined.
• Autism is the fastest-growing serious
developmental disability in the U.S.
Did You Know? Cont.
• Autism costs the nation over $35 billion
per year a figure expected to significantly
increase in the next decade
• Autism receives less than 5% of the
research funding of many less prevalent
childhood diseases
• Boys are four times more likely than girls
to have autism
• These is no medical detection or cure for
autism
Here in Denver, we have an organization called the Autism
Society of Colorado. They are always looking for volunteers.
Here is there contact information:
Autism Society of Colorado
1st Bank Building
550 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Suite 100
Lakewood, CO 80226
720.214.0794 office
720.274.2744 fax
www.autismcolorado.org
Social Skills
• Fails to respond to his or her name
• Has poor eye contact
• Appears not to hear you at times
• Resists cuddling and holding
• Appears unaware of others’ feelings
• Seems to prefer playing alone retreats into
his or her “own world
Signs & Symptoms cont.
Language
• Starts talking later than other children
• Loses previously acquired ability to say words or
sentences
• Does not make eye contact when making requests
• Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm may use
a singsong voice or robot-like speech
• Can’t start a conversation or keep one going
• May repeat words or phrases verbatim, but
doesn’t understand how to use them
Signs & Symptoms cont.
Behavior
• Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking,
spinning, or hand-flapping
• Develops specific routines or rituals
• Becomes disturbed at the slightest change in
routines or rituals
• Moves constantly
• May be fascinated by parts of an object, such as
the spinning wheels of a toy car
• May be unusually sensitive to light, sound and
touch and yet oblivious to pain
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http://www.autismcolorado.org/
http://www.autismspeaks.org
http://www.autism-society.orh
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autism/D
S00348