Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. the result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as 1 in every 150 births. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2005). Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence.

Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. The disorder makes it hard for them to communicate with others and relate to the outside world. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping, rocking), unusual responses to people or attachments to objects and resistance to changes in routines. Individuals may also experience sensitivities in the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.

Over on half million people in the U.S. today have autism or some form of pervasive developmental disorder. Its prevalence rate makes autism one of the most common developmental disabilities. Yet most of the public, including many professionals in the medical, educational, and vocational fields, are still unaware of how autism affects people and how they can effectively work with individuals with autism.

Until the mid 1980’s, autism was believed to be caused by parents who did not love their children. Mothers were referred to as “refrigerator moms”. Families did not publicly acknowledge their children had autism and most children were placed in institutions.

By the mid 1980’s, autism was categorized as a psychiatric illness. Medical coverage was limited to that of mental illness. Most therapies were not covered by insurance and all treatments were treated as experimental and covered at best on a limited basis.

By the mid 1990’s, the medical community began referring to autism as a Biomedical Developmental Disability. Insurance has not embraced this change and coverage remained limited.

Until the mid 1990’s, research into the causes of autism was limited to a few dedicated individuals who received little funding. Autism was believed to be so complex that finding answers into the causes of autism was more like finding the needle in a haystack.