Lewis County Autism Coalition
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AUTISM
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability condition that affects how people interact with others, learn, communicate, and behave. The term "spectrum" refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity that people with ASD may experience It is a spectrum disorder, meaning people with autism can be affected differently and have wide range of abilities.
This can make autism difficult to diagnose. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal/nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Although autism begins in early brain development, the first red flags of autism tend to show between 2 and 3 years of age.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023),
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1 in 36 children in the U.S. have autism, up from the previous rate of 1 in 44.
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1 in 45 adults in the U.S. have autism.
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In the U.S., about 4 in 100 boys and 1 in 100 girls have autism.
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Boys are nearly 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.
Early Intervention is critical
Following an autism diagnosis, children should be referred for special services. Some children may begin receiving these services even before a formal diagnosis is made, while others might not qualify for early intervention or special education due to state criteria. Generally, children who start special services earlier tend to experience better outcomes.