Autism Spectrum

What is Autism? Asperger’s?

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a spectrum of psychological conditions characterized by atypical social interactions and communication, as well as restricted interests and highly repetitive behavior.

Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) is one of several ASD characterized by difficulties in social interaction and by restricted patterns of behavior, interests and activities. AS is distinguished from the other ASDs in having no general delay in language or cognitive development.

• Nationally, one in 150 8-year-olds is somewhere on the autism spectrum
• In Seattle Public Schools, with roughly 45,000 students enrolled, 400 have been diagnosed with ASD - that’s a rate of one in every 112.5 students
• In 2006, American schools were treating about 225,000 children between the ages of 3 and 21 under the “autism” classification for special education services. That number is roughly a tenfold increase over just a decade before
• Boys are four times more likely to be affected by autism than girls.