Autism is estimated to affect one in 68 children in the United States — almost 2% of our population. Autism is usually a lifelong disorder that starts in early childhood and continues into adult life. It affects the whole family, caretakers, the educational and medical systems, and the community at large.
Autism is diagnosed by the behavioral abnormalities that define it, including difficulties in communicating, socializing, and restricted and/or repetitive interests. However, it has become increasingly recognized that many with autism have major medical conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders, altered metabolism and immune system function, food intolerances, allergic disease, anxiety, and seizures.
Despite these insights, we still have few treatments and few clues as to its causes. This situation is changing, however, and the future looks bright because of new discoveries. As previous blogs in the Huffington Post suggest, we may be on the verge of a paradigm shift in our understanding of autism.
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