I have had the opportunity to work with several individuals with autism. I met most of these individuals through my practicum experiences and also through volunteer work. Through my experiences with these individuals I have developed a curiosity and desire to learn more about this developmental disorder that they are afflicted with. Autism is a developmental disability that significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and leisure or play activities. Autism is generally evident before the age of three but is rarely diagnosed past the age of five.
Autism adversely affects educational performance.
Autism occurs in approximately 15 of every 10,000 individuals, and is four times more prevalent in boys than girls. Areas most affected by autism. Often language development is slow or not at all, many indiviual with autismchoose to communicate with alternative methods. Autistic individuals often have unusual reactions to physical sensations. For example they may be oversensitive to touch or under-sensitive to pain.