About 10,000 people in North Carolina and more than 9,000 in South Carolina are believed to have autism. People with autism have trouble communicating. At one extreme, they may be mute. At the other, they may be articulate but use words oddly and have trouble with written language. Autistic people have trouble relating to others and expressing affection.
Autistic people prefer rigid order.
Unexpected developments that seem minor to most people may throw them into a panic. People with autism have sensory abnormalities. Everyday sights or sounds may frighten or fixate them. They may sniff or taste inappropriate things. They may hate being touched or show no reaction to pain.