For the entire month of April, schools across America are raising awareness of the developmental disorder, autism.  Autism affects the brain and makes communicating and interacting with other people difficult. It is a syndrome which does not develop or can be passed from one person to another, but is affective from birth. Diagnosis is usually between the ages of 1 ½ and 4 years old.

It is likely you know someone with autism, whether you are aware of it or not.  Cases vary from mild to severe. In severe cases, the affected person usually has trouble with social interaction; sounds seem louder, lights brighter, smells stronger, etc.  People with milder cases of autism can have normal intellectual capabilities, and some are even above average intelligence.

Doctors do not know exactly what causes the disorder, but experts think it is probably a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. Although the reason some people develop autism is not clear, scientists do know it is not caused by things such as vaccines or bad parenting.

Speech therapy, physical therapy, social skills training, and medication are only a few treatment programs for autism.  It is important for kids to begin treatment at a young age so the chance of learning necessary skills is heightened. By the time they are teens, people with autism might take regular classes, or attend special classes at the high school level.

You may wonder what it is like to have autism, and the troubles these kids and adults face every day. Teens with autism might not act like other people (or like each other) because their brains process information differently.  Sometimes these people have trouble talking and may prefer to communicate with gestures instead of words. They may have difficulty making eye contact or understanding social cues like smiling or scowling.

It can be hard for kids with autism to make friends, and some may prefer alone time to social time. Others look for company, but find it difficult to socialize.

Some people with autism may have tantrums or act aggressive when frustrated, but their anger is not directed at any certain person although it can be upsetting. It is only part of the disorder. Autistic persons communicate emotions like anger and frustration in ways that may seem inappropriate because they do not know a more acceptable approach.

Although it may seem that people with autism do not feel or show emotion, it is not true. They can feel affection, but might not express it in the same way others do. People sensitive to sensations may recoil when hugged or seem frightened by sounds, even if it is not very loud.

If you know someone with autism please take these facts into consideration and have patience, they do not view things the same way you do and it is absolutely no fault of their own. It is important to show affection towards autistic people and include them in social groups because they have the same needs and wants as anyone else, but are only more sensitive to emotions and sensations.