From the available evidence it can be concluded that recent rates for both Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and autism disorder are three to four times higher than they were 30 years ago.¹ So why are reports of autism skyrocketing? Some experts say there is no cause for concern. They blame the increase on greater familiarity with the disorder, better diagnosis and a broadening of the definition of autism. Others believe that if such factors were the only cause of the rapid rise, it would eventually plateau, and the latest statistics reveal this has not yet happened.

Theories to explain the origin of autism have developed. Is mercury to blame? Vaccines? Genes? Radio waves? Soil toxins? Proteins? Perhaps one of the worst things for the parents of an autistic child is that they have no idea what causes it, and often blame themselves for their child’s disability. Robert A. Naseef, Ph.D., author of Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child with a Disability (Brookes Publishing, 2001), is a practicing psychologist and father of a son with autism. In his book he writes, “Finding out that your child has a disability is a life-altering event for parents...perhaps the most difficult challenge at the outset is the broken-hearted feeling that most parents experience.” However, parents often come to view their child’s autism as Paula Kluth, author of "You’re Going to Love This Kid!" (Brookes Publishing, 2003) quotes in her book, “...a marvelous occurrence of nature, not a tragic example of the human mind gone wrong. In many cases, Autism can also be a kind of genius undiscovered.”²

Parents and expert clinicians can often detect symptoms of autism during infancy. Assessment instruments, like Brookes Publishing Co.’s Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales™ (CSBS), by Amy Wetherby and Barry Prizant, are used to assess infants, toddlers, and preschoolers at risk for developmental delays and impairments and is one of the best new ways to detect signs of autism in very young children. Research indicates that early diagnosis is associated with dramatically better outcomes for individuals with autism. The earlier a child is diagnosed, the earlier the child can begin to benefit from one of many specialized intervention approaches.³ Preschool-age children diagnosed with autism have shown extraordinary progress if they receive intensive, individualized behavioral interventions.

To date, the strongest evidence shows autism involves a genetic component where multiple genes interact to create a susceptibility to the disorder. A relationship between genetic and environmental factors also may play a key role in autism and could be triggering its onset in genetically vulnerable children; however, the nature of these interactions has not been discovered. Increased scientific research is needed to accurately determine what these environmental factors could be: diet, drugs, toxins, or certain infections.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) is currently researching the possible causes and mechanics of autism. Americans need to learn more about autism and can benefit from understanding how it affects our population. Autism is not a rare disability; it affects 1 to 1.5 million people in this country, people like your neighbor’s child, your friend’s child, or maybe even your own. Many people do not know that autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the U.S. — therefore increased awareness about this mysterious disability is imperative.

To meet the needs of this growing population, Brookes Publishing Co. offers an extensive list of highly respected autism resources, including practical handbooks/guidebooks, assessment tools, and videos for professionals and families.

Some of these titles include:

1. "You’re Going to Love this Kid!" Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom
   by Paula Kluth, Ph.D.
   
   
2. Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child with a Disability, Revised Edition
   by Robert A. Naseef, Ph.D.
   
   
3. Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Transactional Developmental Perspective
   edited by Amy M. Wetherby, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, & Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
   
   
4. DO-WATCH-LISTEN-SAY: Social and Communication Intervention for Children with Autism
   by Kathleen Ann Quill, Ed.D.
   
   
5. Fragile Success: Ten Autistic Children, Childhood to Adulthood, Second Edition
   by Virginia Walker Sperry, M.A.
   
   
6. Teaching Children with Autism: Strategies for Initiating Positive Interactions and Improving Learning Opportunities
   edited by Robert L. Koegel, Ph.D., & Lynn Kern Koegel, Ph.D.
   
   
7. Autism Spectrum Disorders and the SCERTS™ Model: A Comprehensive Educational Approach (video tape series)
   Presented By Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
   
   
8. Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS)™
   by Amy M. Wetherby, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, & Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
   
   

1 Fombonne E, Epidemiological Findings on Autism and Related Developmental Disorders Workshop on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism. The National Academies of Science(NAS), Washington, DC, Dec.13-14, 1999
*Information obtained from National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the NIH

2 Through the Eyes of Aliens: A Book about Autistic People, O’Neill, Jasmine, 1999.

3 Autism Society of America