Facts About Autism Autism is a developmental disability that begins by 2 years of age. Autism is a life-long disability. People with autism have a normal life span. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children with autism have trouble making eye contact, speaking clearly and relating to other people. Children with autism have trouble relating to the outside world. In severe cases, children with autism exhibit ritualized body movements, repeated touching and sniffing of objects and an insistence on following precise routines. Each child with autism is different and symptoms may disappear and reappear without warning. Children with autism look the same as typical children. Autism and autism related disorders occur in 1 of every 300 children. Autism is 4-5 times more prevalent in boys than girls. Autism occurs in all countries and within all socio-economic classes. Over 55,000 people in Canada today have autism or some form of pervasive developmental disorder. Although there are theories, no one knows what causes autism. Autism is not a mental illness. There are no medical tests for diagnosing autism. Presently, there is no cure for autism. Autism is treatable. Early diagnosis and intervention are vital to the future development of the child.

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Last updated June 2007.