Overview:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition related to brain development that affects how indiviuals views other people and socialize with them. This causes issues in communication. It also includes limited and repeated patterns of behavior. The term spectrum refers to the wide range of symptoms and the severity of these symptoms.
Autism spectrum disorder includes conditions that were once thought to be separate, such as Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and a form of widespread developmental disorder that isn't specified.
ASD often begins very early in childhood. In time, ASD can cause difficulty functioning in society. This in abiltiy fto function can manifest as, sufferers having issues being social or when in school or at work. Often children show symptoms of autism within the first year of life. A small number of children with the condition appear to develop as expected in the first year. Then between 18 and 24 months of age, they may lose some skills and develop autism symptoms.
While there is currently no cure for ASD. getting treatment early in life can make a big difference in the lives of many children with ASD.
Local Resources:
The Autism Society of Greater New Orleans has several documents available containing numerous resources to support individuals with Autism and their families. They include the following and can be viewed by clicking on each title.
Families Helping Families Resource Centers
Families Helping Families is a statewide network of ten family-directed and family-staffed regional resource centers which provide information on all types of services, goods, technologies, and activities that improve the quality of life in the community; help individuals understand their rights and how to advocate for themselves; and lend support from someone “who has been there.”