Autism: Facts, Figures, Treatment

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Autism Facts, Figures, Treatment Hope

• Sponsored by
• Bradley Hospital

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Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

• Diagnostic Categories
• Autism
• Aspergers Disorder
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise
  Specified (PDD-NOS)
• Retts Disorder
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

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Characteristics of ASD

• Neurological disorder characterized by three core
  areas of impairment
• Social skills
• Verbal non-verbal communication
• Restricted or repetitive behaviors and/or
  interests
• Variability of skills and deficits
• Life long challenges

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Increase in Prevalence

• 1980s 1 in 2500

• 2007 1 in 150 (CDC)

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Rapidly Changing Landscape

• Increased brain, genetics, and epidemiological
  research
• Heightened public awareness (8th most frequently
  searched topic on Google!)
• Improved screening and assessment techniques
  leading to earlier interventions
• Growing research in evidence-based practices
• Greater understanding of comorbid conditions
• More focus on supporting the whole family