Twenty facts about autism you want to know

Global Courant

Since Autism Speaks was founded in 2005, the organization has helped the nation and the world better understand autism and better ways to treat the condition. Here are some facts about autism that Autism Speaks put forward:

1. The number of people with autism has grown rapidly over the past 10 years.

In 2005, the number of people diagnosed with autism was only one in 166. Ten years later, the number of people diagnosed with autism has grown to one in 68, an increase of more than 100% in the past ten years.

2. Direct screening studies suggest that the number of people with autism may be higher than one in 68.

In a recent study in South Korea, Autism Speaks-funded researchers found that every one in 38 children had autism. Most of these children were undiagnosed before this study. The organization is now negotiating with the CDC in the US to conduct a similar study using direct screening in classrooms across the United States.

3. Reliable diagnoses of autism in children can be made at age two.

Earlier diagnosis and subsequent intervention can improve outcomes. Autism Speaks is making early screening available to more people, especially among communities that have been underserved in recent years.

4. With top quality early intervention, a child’s brain development and brain activity can improve over time.

Because there is a certain degree of plasticity in the brain, the earlier the intervention, the greater the chance that it will have a positive impact on brain development. On a practical level, such interventions will help reduce the need for – and the resulting costs – of comprehensive behavioral and parenting support during childhood.

5. For people with autism, behavioral therapy can change their lives for the better.

Research shows solid evidence of the benefits of behavioral therapy. With this evidence, Autism Speaks has been able to push new laws in 38 states that require health care coverage to cover the cost of behavioral therapy for people with autism. Those people and their families, who were once denied necessary treatment, are now making progress.

6. About a third of people with autism are nonverbal.

For this reason, Autism Speaks supports research and development of new devices to help these people communicate. The organization has donated these supportive communication tools to many thousands of families with autism.

7. Communication aids can stimulate speech in many children who are nonverbal.

Research sponsored by Autism Speaks has found that some children with autism who have not spoken by age 5 do not necessarily remain nonverbal for the rest of their lives. Some can learn to speak and aids assist them in this process.

8. Autism-related gastrointestinal problems are real.

Research conducted by the Autism Treatment Network has found that 50% of children with autism have various types of gastrointestinal disorders. The pain of these conditions can even cause behavioral symptoms to worsen. Autism Speaks has produced treatment guidelines for pediatricians who treat children with autism, as well as resources for parents to use when dealing with these issues their children are experiencing.

9. Sleep disorders are common in people with autism.

While sleep disturbances are common in individuals with autism, they are treatable. Autism Speaks has sponsored research that has provided evidence-based toolkits for parents to help their children overcome these disorders. They have also created medical guidelines for clinicians who treat sleep disorders in people with autism.

10. Epilepsy affects nearly a third of people with autism.

While they have the potential to be dangerous, not all attacks are obvious to the untrained eye. In autism care, special tests are essential to rule out epilepsy in people with autism.

11. Autism can be a whole-body condition.

Because people with autism have an increased incidence of sleep disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and epilepsy, Autism Speaks recommends that physicians use the “whole person approach” when providing health care to people with autism.

12. Personalized treatment can now be guided using whole genome sequencing.

The MSSNG program sponsored by Autism Speaks has changed the future of autism treatment. By performing genome sequencing on thousands of families affected by the condition, researchers are receiving actionable information that could help them develop new, more targeted drugs for autism.

13. The environment plays an important role in the onset of autism.

A few years ago, experts thought autism was entirely hereditary. After more research, the Exchange of genetic resources for autisma chapter of Autism Speaks found that non-hereditary influences contribute about half to a child’s risk of developing autism.

14. Research has identified some of the environmental factors that can give rise to autism.

If a mother has had an infection or been exposed to air pollution during her pregnancy, her child is more likely to develop autism. Mothers-to-be who take prenatal vitamins before conception and continue to take them after they become pregnant may reduce the risk of their child developing autism.

15. Nearly 50% of people with autism tend to run away or wander.

Autism Speaks funds programs to keep people with autism from wandering or running wild. They also educate first responders about these tendencies in people with autism.

16. Bullying affects nearly two-thirds of children with autism.

Together with the National Center for Learning Disabilities, Autism Speaks has brought attention to bullying children with special needs.

17. Eighty-four percent of adults with autism still live with their parents.

Autism Speaks has asked government officials, both federal and state, to enact policies that provide more options for residential arrangements for adults with autism.

18. Nearly half of 25-year-old adults struggling with autism have never held a regular paid job.

Working with employers and educators, Autism Speaks continues to advocate for more support for young adults with autism in both vocational and post-secondary settings, as well as employment opportunities for them after graduation.

19. Each year, 50,000 teens drop out of high school or become too old to receive school support for autism.

Autism Speaks partners with private and public institutions to support people with autism as they transition into adulthood. With their support, these individuals can share their many valuable gifts with their communities.

20. The cost to families affected by autism in the lifetime of one person is usually between $1.4 million and $2.4 million.

Depending on whether the person with autism also has an intellectual disability, these costs may increase or decrease. Early diagnosis and quality interventions, along with support as people with autism transition into adulthood, can help significantly reduce these costs.

Twenty facts about autism you want to know

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