Everyone is different and unique!

What is Autism?

Autism is a developmental disability. This means they experience the world

differently than you do.› They may play differently, communicate

differently and even have different interests.› But that’s OK!! Because our friend with

autism still does many things just like you: sleep, eat, go to the doctor, go to school, etc.

› Autism is NOT like a cold- it does not just go away.

What makes everyone different?

*Some children develop differently than others and their brains function differently.

*Some kids are mildly affected by their brain working differently and aren’t that

much different from you!

*Other kids may need a lot of help from you, their teachers and parents.

But WHY are we all different?

*Some doctors think the reason your brain might be different from your friend with autism could be a link between:

genetics and a medical problem.

*Everyone is made up of many different genes and genes make up your DNA. Someone with autism might have some

genes that may affect their brain development.

*While some doctors think it could be related to genes and medical conditions, other think it could also be due to toxins

in the environment.

So there isn’t one answer that can explain why your friend or someone you know has autism, but there are 3 possibilities:

genes, medical conditions and environmental toxins

I know why we are all different, but is there a cure for my

friend with autism?*The answer to that question is No,

there is no cure for Autism*With the help of doctors, teachers, family, friends and YOU, the person with autism can lead a normal life!

*It is important to be very kind and understanding of our friends with

autism. Wanting to learn more about our friend with autism is a

GREAT first step

Fun facts and s ta t i s t i cs ! !

*1 in every 110 babies are born with autism.

*1 in 1.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder.

*1 percent of kids around your age, 3-17, have an autism spectrum disorder in the United States.

*Autism is growing- and fast! (at a rate of 10-17% a year).

*In the next decade, there could be as many as 4 million Americans who will have an autism spectrum disorder.

•Autism Society. (2003,2006). Facts and Statistics. Retrieved March 10, 2010, from Autism society: Improving the lives of all affected by autism: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatis_factsstats

MORE fun fac t s and s ta t i s t i c s ! !

*There are five different types of autism disorders.

*Autism is the most common type of pervasive developmental disorders.

*More boys than girls will have an autism spectrum disorder (about 4 boys to 1 girl).

*Autism can affect any child, regardless of where you live, what type of school you go to, what grade you are in, your race or ethnicity.

Autism Society. (2009, June 5). What is autism? Retrieved March 10, 2010, from Autism society: Improving the lives of all affected by autism: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatis

Questions to ask your teacher

•What is a developmental disability?•What is an environmental toxin?•Can you “catch” an autism spectrum disorder from environmental toxins?•Can I “catch” autism from my friend with autism?•Just because I am a boy, will I have autism and my friend that is a girl wont?•What are the five types of autism spectrum disorders?