Question A:

Do you know what causes ASD? Is there a cure for ASD?

Question B:

What is the prevalence of autism and who is affected?

Answer A:

At this time, there is no known cause or cure for autism. Do know that there is a lot of research underway worldwide. There are education and intervention approaches that may reduce some of the challenges associated with the diagnosis. The National Research Council states: “No single intervention or approach has proven to be effective for every individual with ASD.” Most professionals do agree that early intervention is important as is providing structure when planning programming. We will be discussing specific education and intervention approaches as part of this Ask-A-Specialist forum.

Answer B:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) network released data in 2007 that found about 1 in 150 8-year-old children in multiple areas of the United States had an ASD and ASDs are four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls. ASDs occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. To learn more visit:

CDC Autism Information Center
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/