Autism is a developmental disability that occurs in approximately 22 of every 10,000 births. It is usually diagnosed during the first three years of life, and is four to five times more prevalent in boys than in girls.
Autism knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries.
Children and adults with autism typically have deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication, socialization and leisure play activities. No one individual with autism will display all of its possible characteristics. Instead, each individual may demonstrate a unique combination of symptoms. Currently, there are no medical tests to diagnose autism. Diagnosis must be based on observations of the child's behavior by a trained diagnostician, usually a psychologist or neurodevelopmental pediatrician.