Autism is a brain disorder that makes communication and social interaction difficult. It affects more children in the US than cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined, with about 1 in 88 children diagnosed with some form of autism. The symptoms of autism appear before age 3 and can include delays in speech, lack of eye contact, preference for solitary play, repetitive behaviors, fascination with specific topics, difficulty communicating needs and understanding others' feelings. While symptoms and their severity vary, children with autism struggle with social interaction and expressing themselves.

2. Autism is a brain disorder that often makes it
hard to communicate with and relate to others.

4. Autism affects more children in
America then cancer, diabetes, and
AIDS combined
Every 1 in 88 -110 children
Perhaps as many as 1 in 54 in boys
http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20120329/autism-rates-cdc-2012
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism

5. Every person on the autism spectrum exhibits
different kinds of behaviors, from mild to
severe - there is no “typical” person with
autism.

6. Symptoms of autism almost always occur before a child is 3 years old
• A delay in learning to talk
• Not talking at all
• Seeming to be deaf (although hearing tests are normal)

7. Symptoms of Autism
• No eye contact

8. Symptoms of Autism
• A preference to play alone rather than
with others

9. Symptoms of Autism
• Repeated motions and/or behaviors (body
rocking, hand flapping…)
• Repetitive speech

10. Symptoms of Autism
• Unusual attachment to objects
• Overly fascinated with specific topics (trading cards,
Presidents, dinosaurs…)

11. Symptoms of Autism
Children with Autism have difficulty
communicating with others. They
often do not know or are not capable
of expressing themselves. They may
yell or shout. They may become very
frustrated because we don’t
understand what they want.
• Difficulty understanding the feeling of others (pain, sadness…)
• Getting very upset in a change of routine

12. What can you do?
• Say hello!
• Invite him/her to sit at your lunch table.
• Play a game together on the computer.
• Step in if you see any bullying.