- Autism is a complex neurological condition with no known cause or cure. Approximately one in 165 children is affected by autism.
- According to Autism Ontario, there are an estimated 70,000 individuals with autism in Ontario.Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that there is wide variation in how it affects children. It includes:
- Autistic Disorder
- Asperger’s Disorder
- Rett’s Syndrome
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
- Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
Although children with autism can show a wide variety of symptoms and characteristics, most experience:
- difficulty in relating to others
- challenges with speech and non-verbal communication and
- limited and repetitive interests and behaviour, such as hand flapping and rocking.
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