For weeks, I just cried and cried. You grieve for the loss of a normal child and for all the things your child can't do. You wonder how you'll make it. You learn about respite care and other resources that help you get through the worst days. Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the development and functioning of the brain.
Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism.
Race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status are not factors. Autism patients typically have difficulty interacting with others and enjoying leisure and play activities. A few times I've sat down to read the paper, and I've always regretted it. Something will get torn up, or Neil will be up in the false ceiling in the basement. Some days, Aldona feels like a prisoner in her home.