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What is autism and how prevalent is it?

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Host: What is autism and how prevalent is it? Peggy Halliday: Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the functioning of the brain. autism spectrum disorders include artistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified, also abbreviated as PDD-NOS and Asperger's disorder. All of these conditions of autism share common symptoms, but they vary in the severity and the way these symptoms are, of the exact nature of the autism symptoms in each child. Classic autism or autistic disorder is characterized by serious impairments in three areas, in social interaction, in communication and language and in restricted interest and behaviors. All of these characteristics begin before the age of three and last a life time. The CDC, the center for disease control, estimates that today autism affects one in 150 individuals.

Expert: Peggy Halliday

Program Director for Outreach Services

http://www.viaschool.org

P: (434) 923-8252

Email: information@viaschool.org

Peggy Halliday is a board certified associate behavior analyst who has specialized in autism education for the past ten years. She is the Director of Outreach Services at the Virginia Institute of Autism (VIA) in Charlottesville, VA. VIA is a non-profit organization which provides a day school and other resources for families, educators, and other professionals seeking services, training or information about autism More »