April is Autism Awareness Month. With World Autism Day being April 2, the rest of the month is about continuing to inform people about the Autism Spectrum. Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that is typically visible before the age of 3. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive functions. Individuals with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and leisure activities. People with autism often experience multiple medical conditions along with autism. Those can include allergies, asthma, epilepsy, digestive disorders, feeding disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, among many others.

Did you know ...

• Autism now affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys
• Autism prevalence figures are growing
• Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the U.S.
• Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
• Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism
• Autism is treatable and not a hopeless condition
• Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder, yet the most underfunded

(Facts from National Autism Association and Autism Speaks)