“Behavioral issues in children with autism are often caused by medical illness, which requires medical evaluation. Yet, those behaviors often prevent simple transportation to medical evaluations.” Ann Neumeyer, M.D. Pediatric Neurologist Harvard Medical School Associate Medical Director of LADDERS

ABOUT AUTISM

Autism is a lifelong, complex, neurobiological disorder.   There is no known cause(s) or cure at the current time.  Autism impairs an individual’s ability to communicate and relate to others.   Affected individuals may demonstrate atypical, repetitive behaviors.  Symptoms may range from very mild to quite severe.

The statistics are alarming:

• In 1983, 1 in 10,000 people had the diagnosis of autism.  Today, 1 in 150 individuals are diagnosed with autism, making it more common that pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. 
• 67 cases are diagnosed every day.
• Autism affects four times as many boys as girls.
• Up to 25-30% of individual with autism are reported to have seizures
• 50 – 70% of children with autism are reported to have some type of gastrointestinal condition.