Listed below are some common facts about autism.

• Boys are four-to-five times more likely to be affected by autism than girls.
• Autism occurs in 1 in every 110 births according to the latest CDC estimates.
• Autism currently affects over 400,000 people in the U.S.
• Autism is the third most common developmental disability following mental retardation and cerebral palsy.
• Autism is more common than multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis or childhood cancer.
• Autism can occur with or without other disabilities.
• The symptoms and effects of autism can range from mild to severe.
• Autism occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups.
• People with autism have a normal life span.
• Research indicates that people with autism learn best through a structured environment.
• There are no medical or psychological tests to diagnose autism, so a diagnosis is based on the presence of a cluster of behavioral characteristics.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate interventions are vital to the future development of the child.
• To date there is no conclusive evidence that any vaccine increases the risk of developing autism or any other behavior disorder.
  

---

SOUTH CAROLINA SPECIAL EDUCATION LAWS
Under both South Carolina State and Federal Law, your child is entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). If it is determined in the pubic education system that your child’s public education is not appropriate for their needs it may be possible to secure ABA funding for their educational needs. Please visit http://www.wrightslaw.com/ for more detailed information on the Special Education Laws and Rights of your child.

---

Recommended Reading

• Barron, J. & Barron, S. (1992). There’s a Boy In Here. New York: Simon & Schuster.
• Baron-Cohen, S., Tager-Flusberg, H.,& Cohen, D. (1993). Understanding Other Minds: Perspectives from Autism. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Freeman,S. & Dake, L. (1996). Teach me language: A language manual for children with autism, asperger's syndrome and related developmental disorders. Langley, B.C., SKF Books
• Grandin, T. (1986). Emergence: Labeled Autistic. New York: Warner Books.
• Gray, C. (1998). Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations, Teaching Social Understanding to Students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Jenison: Jenison Public Schools.
• Lovaas, O.I. (1977). The Autistic Child: Language development through behavior modification. New York, Irvington Publishers.
• Lovaas, O.I. (1981). Teaching Developmentally Disabled Children: The ME book. Austin, TX, Pro-Ed
• Maurice, C. (1993). Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family’s Triumph Over Autism. New York: Ballantine Books
• Maurice, C., Green, G. & Luce, S.C. (Eds) (1996). Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism: A Manual for Parents and Professionals. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed Inc.