The Spectrum of Autism Autism / PDD-NOS / Asperger's - they are becoming familiar terms these days. Autism is a lifelong "invisible" disorder, which impairs an individual's ability to properly understand what they see, hear, and otherwise sense. This can result in severe problems with social situations, communication, and behavior. Individuals with autism have to painstakingly learn normal patterns of speech, communication and appropriate ways to relate to people, objects and events. No two autistic individuals may experience exactly the same symptoms. It is not a disease, it is neurological differences that make a person UNIQUE. Common characteristics of Autism are; severe delays in language development, inconsistent patterns of sensory responses, uneven patterns of intellectual functioning, marked restriction of activity and interests as well as delays in understanding social relationships.

This is my little angel Mitchell, he doesn't look differently abled or disABLED but he is - he has Autism. This is an invisible disability because it is not obvious that the person has any difficulties. However every day Mitch and us as his parents, are judged because of his autism. Since strangers cannot SEE anything "wrong" with him they think he is just misbehaved and we are bad parents, or they see us trying to deal with some of his behaviors and decide we should have CPS called on us when all we are trying to do is protect him and others from flailing arms and legs! He sometimes has difficulties behaving, can't handle large crowds - may scream or have a meltdown, if he hears a baby or small child cry he screams because it hurts his ears. He does not speak a lot, some - but does not have conversations with people he does not know. He has problems making friends mainly because social relationships confuse him, he has trouble taking turns and many more autistic symptoms that make our life an adventure! April is autism awareness month - please read our site to learn more or visit www.autism-society.org for the facts. One interesting and frightening fact is that twenty years ago children and adults affected by autism was 1 in 10,000, Five years ago 1 in 500, and Today 1 in 250.! No one really knows for sure what is making the numbers rise, could be vaccinations, could be environmental or both. But one thing for sure it helps everyone and all of our futures to support research so that the numbers start going down, instead of continually up. I would not trade my son for anything or anyone, I want to celebrate his differences, I do believe he is autistic naturally - but you cannot ignore that there are children out there experiencing autistic symptoms who might not otherwise have done so if it weren't for a shot, a chemical and so on. I respect the autistic community, afterall, my son is part of it. Thank you, Helen *aka* web mom and very proud mother of a neurologically unique child!