..Autism is a diability so many people don't know about, or don't understand. Since myspace has become a useful way to spread information, my hope is this site will do the same.
"Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 166 individuals is diagnosed with autism...Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe" ( Autismspeaks.org ).
--1 in 166 children is diagnosed with autism
--1 in 104 boys is on the autism spectrum
--67 children are diagnosed per day
--A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes
--More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined
--Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
--Autism costs the nation over $90 billion per year, a figure expected to double 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
--There is no medical detection or cure for autism
The National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) has merged with the organization Autism speaks. There are NAAR Walks raising money for research all over the country. If you would like to participate, go here to find information.
i am a teenager with a younger brother diagnosed with autism. He's 13 years old, and has lived in a residential home since the age of 7. As other families with autism know, once it's brought into your life, it's always there. When i was younger and i would watch my brother tear everytihng apart...punch himself in the face until we'd try to stop him so he'd punch us instead...
I felt so sorry for myself...and now realizing other people continue to go through this...its such a horrible thought to know so many families are going through this every day...
if only there were some medicine that could just help these children and then the adults they become...and help the families effected by this every day....and by helping fund research, we can get an answer to so many questions we have and hopefully find medicines that will help
And this is my brother at Disney on Ice, hugging one of his favorite characters, Mickey Mouse! I'm so proud to be his sister and I love him so much.
