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AUTISM
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Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of related brain-based disorders that affect a child's behavior, social, and communication skills. They include three pervasive developmental disorders (PDD):
- Autistic disorder
- Asperger syndrome
- PDD-not otherwise specified
Approximately 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with an ASD. ASDs are lifelong conditions with no known cure. However, children with ASD can progress developmentally and learn new skills. Some children may improve so much that they no longer meet the criteria for ASD, although milder symptoms may often persist. The AAP strongly believes in the importance of early and continuous surveillance and screening for ASD to ensure that children are identified and receive access to services as early as possible. The sooner autism is identified, the sooner an intervention program can start.
Scientific understanding of the cause of autism is far from complete. The AAP strongly supports ongoing studies funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health that are trying to get to the factors in our modern environment that may be responsible for autism.
Parent Resource: Information on Autism Prevalence Study
(Oct 09; Pediatrics)
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