Autism Spectrum Disorder

Nearly one child of every 100 babies born will develop an autism spectrum disorder, and the autism rate is climbing. We believe:

People with autism spectrum disorder require the same early intervention services and life span services available to anyone with a developmental disability.
Our community’s service network must be encouraged and supported to develop strong diagnostic resources to accurately identify and treat people with an autism spectrum disorder.
People with autism spectrum disorder should be able to access the protection and advocacy services currently available to people with developmental disabilities.
Research must be funded to study the diagnostic and service intervention opportunities which would support individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

What to watch for

People with Autism SpectrumDisorder might:

• Not play pretend games, such as feeding a doll.
• Not point at objects to show interest.
• Not look at objects when another person points at them.
• Have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in people at all.
• Avoid eye contact and want to be alone.
• Have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings.
• Prefer not to be held or cuddled, or might cuddle only when they want.
• Appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sound.
• Be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play or relate to them.
• Repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia).
• Have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or emotions.
• Repeat actions endlessly.
• Having trouble adapting when a routine changes.
• Have unusual reactions to stimuli.
• Lose skills they once had.