1 in every 88 children has autism. This is a 23% increase since 2009 and 78% increase since 2007. Autism is a developmental disability characterized by significant language delays, social, emotional and communication challenges, unusual behaviors and sometimes intellectual disability.
ASDs begin before age 3 and last throughout life. Many children are not diagnosed until much later or not at all and sometimes get mislabled as troublemakers.
There are many unanswered questions about what causes autism and how to treat it. Data tells us many more children and families need help. Autism educational facilities are scarce and most cost upwards of $50,000 a year. The programs in most local school can't address all the needs and adult resources are even fewer.
It is time for a change,