About Autism
AUTISM is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD).
AUTISM may include any of the following:
- Deficits in social interaction such as
- Initiating conversation with others
- Responding to initiations
- Standing too close when engaging with others
- Deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication such as
- Making eye contact
- Using correct pronouns (e.g., saying “you” instead of “I”)
- Echolalia (repeating something just heard or heard previously, such as scripts from movies)
- Limited interests and repetitive behavior including
- Having interest in very few things
- Difficulty with transitions and changes in routines
- Inappropriate body movements (e.g., flapping hands, rocking)
- Repetitive speech
Other pervasive developmental disorders include PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified), Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Many parents and professionals refer to this group as Autism Spectrum Disorders.
RESOURCES
Autism NJ www.autismnj.org 1-800-4-AUTISM
Autism NJ is one of the largest statewide network of parents and professionals dedicated to improving lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Self-advocates, families, the professionals who work with them, government officials, the media, and concerned state residents all turn to Autism New Jersey for information, compassionate support, and training.
Autism Speaks www.austismspeaks.org
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Their longtime friend Bernie Marcus donated $25 million to help financially launch the organization. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) www.asatonline.org
ASAT is a not-for-profit organization of parents and professionals committed to improving the education, treatment, and care of people with autism. Since autism was first identified, there has been a long history of failed treatments and fads, levied on vulnerable individuals as well as on their families. From the scandal of the “refrigerator mother” theory, to the ongoing parade of “miracle cures” and “magical breakthroughs,” history has been dominated by improbable theories about causation and treatments.
Since it was established in 1998, it has been the goal of ASAT to work toward adopting higher standards of accountability for the care, education and treatment of all individuals with autism.
