Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that affects a person’s ability to interact socially with others, communicate and learn. The disease also affects children physically – both in fine and gross motor skills and with regard to living skills like dressing, toileting, bathing and others.
The onset of Autism is typically diagnosed in children between the ages of 1 – 3 years. It is called a spectrum disorder due to variance and degree of the symptoms for each child. Other disorders diagnosed as ASD include Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).
Autism is reaching epidemic proportions throughout the world. The rate of incidence of ASD has increased dramatically over the past 10 years. Today the likelihood of a child with ASD is 1 in 110. This is up from 1 in 500 less than 10 years ago – a 67% increase. Indications are that this rate will continue to climb. There is no cure for Autism, only ongoing therapy, but research has shown that early intervention is key to helping these children reach their full potential.
Annual costs associated with habilitation, speech, physical and occupational therapy, intervention and special schools, home and / or center based therapy can far exceed $50,000 per child. Many of these therapies are not covered by traditional healthcare insurance. Examples of some of these costs are:
With the proper therapies many children with ASD are capable of living more productive and self supportive lives. Due to the costs of these programs many families are unable to provide early intervention and on-going therapy for their children. Our goal of the Mitchell A. Callahan Autism Foundation is to provide financial assistance to help bridge this gap.
It is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.
Learn more fast facts about Autism.
There is no cure for Autism, and children cannot simply "outgrow" it; however, early intervention can lead to a significantly improved life.
The most important thing you can do is learn the early signs of Autism. 
View
a list of common personality traits that both children and adults
with Autism may exhibit in any combination, degree, or severity
- from mild to severe. 
ASD is called a spectrum disorder due to
the variance and degree of the symptoms for each child. Other disorders diagnosed as ASD include Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).
