1 In 68 Children Are Identified As Having Autism Spectrum Disorder (01 of10)
Open Image ModalAccording to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates, 1 in 68 children in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder, based on health and education records. That figure represents a significant increase from previous prevalence estimates, released in 2012, which estimated that 1 in 88 have an ASD. (credit:Gettystock)
Boys Are More Likely To Have Autism Than Girls(02 of10)
Open Image ModalAutism is roughly five times more common in boys than girls, according to CDC estimates. One in 42 boys have been identified with autism, compared to 1 in 189 girls.\n\nChildren born to older parents are also more likely to have an ASD. (credit:Shutterstock)
The Symptoms Of An ASD Can Present Themselves In Infancy(03 of10)
Open Image ModalAccording to the NIH, early indicators include: No babbling or pointing by age 1, no single words by 16 months, poor eye contact, little to no smiling or other social responses and more. (Click here for more information from NIH.)\n\nThe CDC says, \"Health care providers will often use a questionnaire or other screening instrument to gather information about a child’s development and behavior. Some screening instruments rely solely on parent observations, while others rely on a combination of parent and doctor observations. If screening instruments indicate the possibility of an ASD, a more comprehensive evaluation is usually indicated.” (credit:Shutterstock)
Scientists Are Not Certain What Causes Autism(04 of10)
Open Image ModalAccording to the Child Mind Institute both genetic and environmental factors could contribute. (credit:Getty Images)
There Is No Cure For Autism, But There Are Ways To Treat It(05 of10)
Open Image ModalAutism is treated with therapy, education plans and medication. Doctors and scientists say that early identification and intervention for children with an ASD can help them thrive in academically and socially in the future.\n\nThere are still studies being done to find better treatments and perhaps one day, even a cure. A paper in Cell, a scientific journal, discussed a study with more insight into what could cure autism. The study found that feeding rats with similar symptoms to autism a gut bacteria called B. fragilis lead to an improvement in their behavior. \"They became less anxious, communicated more with other mice, and showed less repetitive behavior,” according to the Atlantic. (credit:Shutterstock)
Research Shows That There Is No Link Between The Onset Of Autism And Vaccinations (06 of10)
Open Image ModalEven when multiple vaccines are given to a child on the same day, they are still not at risk of developing autism. (credit:Shutterstock)
If A Child Has An ASD, Their Sibling Has A 2–18 Percent Chance Of Also Being Affected (07 of10)
Open Image ModalStudies have also shown that if a child with an ASD has an identical twin, the other will be affected anywhere from 36-95 percent of the time. (credit:Shutterstock)
Many People Who Have Autism Also Have Another Developmental, Psychiatric or Genetic Disorder(08 of10)
Open Image ModalThere is an 83% chance of co-occurrence for developmental disorders and a 10% chance for psychiatric disorders. These disorders include Bipolar Disorder, Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome according to the CDC. (credit:Shutterstock)
20 To 30 Percent Of Children With An ASD Develop Epilepsy(09 of10)
Open Image ModalChildren whose language skills regress before they turn 3 have been found to have a higher risk of developing epilepsy. (credit:Alamy)
Infants And Young Children Should Be Screened For Developmental Delays At Periodic Intervals(10 of10)
Open Image ModalThe CDC recommends children be screened when the are 9, 18 and 24-30 months. (credit:Shutterstock)