Autism

What is Autism?

Autism is a developmental disorder affecting 1 in every 150 people. It affects children and adults. Children and adults with autism can show a mixture of behaviors. Two people with the same diagnosis can act very differently from one another.

What are the symptoms of autism?

Delayed speech or not able to speak
Avoiding contact with others, such as not touching or hugging you, or not looking at you when you are talking to him or her
Playing with things in an odd way - like constantly stacking toys or lining them up in a very certain way
Strong reactions or dislikes to certain colors, textures, or types of food

These behaviors are not always seen by a doctor during a 15-30 minute appointment. Make sure you tell your doctor any symptoms you may be seeing. Early diagnosis is the best treatment for this disorder.

How do I get help?

If your child or family member has unusual behaviors that worry you, here are ways you can get help:

Talk to your child's doctor
Ask for tests to make sure it is not another problem, such as a hearing problem
Call your County Mental Health Agency
Call your local Intermediate Unit (IU) - to find your local IU go to http://edna.ed.state.pa.us
Call the Pennsylvania Early Intervention Hotline (help for children birth to 3 years) CONNECT at 1-800-692-7288.
Call the Autism Society of America at 1-800-3Autism
Read the list of Resources and the Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact Sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Log onto these Web sites:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/
http://www.autism-society.org/

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Autism is a developmental disorder affecting 1 in every 150 people.