What is Autism?
Autism is one of several abnormalities which
falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD), a
category of neurological disorders characterized by impairment in many
areas of an individual's development. It interferes with normal
development of the brain in the areas of reasoning, social interaction,
and communication skills. It typically appears during the first three
years of life, and results in a lifelong disability for the majority of
people affected.
Autism is a "spectrum" disorder, meaning that it affects each person
differently and at varying degrees. Some individuals develop little or
no verbal abilities and need assistance in almost all aspects of their
daily lives; others are able to function at a much higher level and
perform well academically in a regular classroom setting, but have
difficulty developing friendships and interacting properly with others (Asperger's
syndrome).
How Prevalent is Autism?
The statistics on autism are astounding. When we began this camp in 2000 the number of children being diagnosed with autism was one in 500. The number of children being diagnosed with autism in 2007 is one in 150 births. Autism is the third most common disability following mental retardation and cerebral palsy. It is more common than multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, or childhood cancer. With no known cause or cure, the best that we can hope for is to make life the best that it can be for these individuals by allowing them to be just who they are.