Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) includes several developmental disorders that affect the way an individual sees and relates to the rest of the world. ASD may limit the ability to interact socially with others and is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills and reasoning impacting independence. The symptoms of ASD vary widely in severity, including impairment in social interaction, fixation on inanimate objects, inability to communicate normally and resistance to changes in daily routine.
About 1 in 88 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Also it has been determined that males are more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than females. In Michigan alone in 2013, the public school system is serving at least 16,000 children with autism spectrum disorders. In 2005 that number was 6,300 students with ASD. As more individuals are diagnosed with autism every year, the demand for supportive programs increases exponentially.
Early Signs of Autism
For more information regarding the behavioral and physical signs of autism, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Autism Symptom Checklist.
Click HERE for information about Autism Speaks' First 100 Day Kit for families with a loved-one newly-diagnosed with ASD.
Causes and Treatment
For further discussions into causes and treatments of ASD, visit these websites:
Screening and Diagnosis
Visit the Early On Michigan website as a starting point for finding local resources.
Summary of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) changes for ASD diagnosis.
Michigan ASD State Plan
For information regarding Michigan's ASD state plan, including findings & recommendations of services in Michigan, click HERE.
For more information about autism, visit the Related Links page.