Autism, part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. The disorder is characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills and social abilities, and also by repetitive behaviors. Symptoms range from mild to severe. One milder form of the disorder is known as Asperger Syndrome.

many as 1 in 150 children are autistic, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That adds up to almost 1.5 million people in the United States. Also, government statistics suggest the rate of autism is rising 10-17 percent annually. Unfortunately, the numbers appear to be continuing their upward climb.

Unfortunately, experts have been unable thus far to come up with a cure for autism. Many “treatments” have surfaced since the disorder has grown more visible in the mainstream press, but reputable doctors have yet to agree on any that will reverse the diagnosis. But there's hope: Scientists are hard at work every day finding a solution for this growing problem.

A comprehensive evaluation is required to diagnoses autism spectrum disorders, including in-depth measures of cognitive functioning, adaptive behavior, autism diagnostic tools (i.e., ADI-R and ADOS), behavioral observations, and sometimes neuropsychological and speech and language evaluations.

Scientists are not certain what causes autism, but it is likely that both genetics and environment play a role. Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with the disorder. Studies of people with autism have found irregularities in several regions of the brain. Other studies suggest that people with autism have abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain.

There is no cure for autism. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to treat specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. Most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.

Since 1995, ARI has convened recurring meetings for carefully selected physicians, researchers, and scientists committed to finding effective treatments for autism. Their work has become known as Defeat Autism Now! . Getting ready for your child's first appointment with a clinician using a Defeat Autism Now! Approach – by Dawn Rossi

CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network released data in 2007 that found about 1 in 150 8-year-old children in multiple areas of the United States had an ASD. Since the ADDM sites do not represent a nationally representative sample, the prevalence estimates should not be generalized to every community in the United States. Although accurate for the areas we studied, rates may be higher or lower in other areas.