Q.  My child/grandchild was just diagnosed with autism.  Now what do I do?

A: A diagnosis of autism is always a difficult assessment to hear.  You are doing the right thing by seeking more information and support.  Please see our notes on "Understanding Autism" in our Resources section to begin learning more about this disorder.

Q. I suspect my child or a child I know might have autism.  How do I find out?

A: If you suspect your child has autism, you will want to seek a diagnosis from a qualified professional, such as a developmental pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist. The web site First Signs (www.firstsigns.org) contains excellent information about screening tools your doctor can use to help identify whether your child is "on the spectrum." Many university Early Childhood Education departments can provide detailed evaluations.  You might also want to contact your state department of health and human services; often there are state agencies that can provide a referral for a free evaluation.

Q. What exactly causes autism?

A: No one knows for sure what causes a person to develop autism. Current research indicates there is a strong genetic component. Many researchers and other professionals are also examining the possibility of an environmental trigger. Cure Autism Now has funded over 90 different research projects that we hope will lead us to the causes and a cure for autism.

Q. Why do more boys than girls develop autism?

A: Although some girls do develop autism, boys with this disorder outnumber them 3:1. Most experts attribute this to the strong genetic component in autism, but until we know the cause or causes of autism and related disorders, it is difficult to say for sure.

Q. Is autism genetic?

A: There is definitely a genetic component in autism. In identical twins, the chance of a twin developing autism if the other twin is autistic is as high as 98%. The chance of a sibling or a fraternal twin developing autism is also higher than in the general population.

Because of the likelihood of genetic involvement in autism, Cure Autism Now created and funds the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE), a DNA bank of over 400 families who have more than one child with autism. The data in this bank is available for any scientist willing to share their discoveries. With the help of AGRE, we hope to accelerate breakthroughs into both genetic and environmental components of autism.

Q. I've heard that autism can be caused by childhood vaccinations.  Should I vaccinate my child?

A: This is a decision each parent must make for their child. At Cure Autism Now, we believe that this is an area that requires more research, especially at the federal level. For the latest information, we recommend the following links:

American Academy of Pediatrics' Immunization Initiative
www.cispimmunize.org

National Vaccine Information Center
www.909shot.com

The Coalition for SAFE MINDs (Sensible Action For Ending Mercury-Induced Neurological Disorders)
www.safeminds.org

The Vaccine Education Center
www.chop.edu/consumer/jsp/division/generic.jsp?id=75818

Q. What about environmental toxins, or chemicals like mercury - can they cause autism?

A: There are a number of different studies currently examining the possibility of an environmental trigger in the development of autism. Two of the research programs funded by CAN are examining the role of mercury toxicity. There are also several studies going on at universities around the country, such as those at the University of California, Davis Center for Children's Environmental Health, which are are looking into the role of mercury, pesticides and industrial chemicals in autism. Please continue to check back at our website, or sign up for our CAN Alert! List  for updates.

Q. There's a new therapy I heard about?how do I know if it is safe for my child?

A: As the number of children with autism has accelerated, so have the types of therapies being offered. Some, like applied behavior analysis (ABA), focus on the behavioral aspects of autism disorders; others deal with physiological concerns, like diet and sensory issues. There are both medical treatments and alternative therapies to consider.  In terms of safety, it is best to seek the counsel of a medical professional before attempting any type of treatment program, and to learn as much as you can before committing to a course of treatment.  Please see the sub-section on Therapies in our Resource section for more information. You may also want to review the Web site of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (www.asatonline.org).

Q. Where do I obtain services for my child in my city/state?

A: A good place to start seeking services is through your state's department of health and human resources. In California, for example, there are specialized Regional Centers that can help families with a child with autism locate and fund services. Please also check our Resources section for a particular area of service (such as Early Intervention programs).

Q. What kind of services will my child needs as he or she gets older?

A: Because the characteristics of autism vary from person to person, there is no one set protocol for treating or helping autistic teens or adults. Some more able teens and adults with autism will need assistance in finding a job or attending college. Some will need help finding a roommate or apartment, while teens or adults with more severe autism will require a group home setting. Please see our Resources section for more information about services for teens and adults with autism.

Q. What is the difference between high functioning autism and Asperger's Syndrome?

A: Asperger's Syndrome is defined by slightly different criteria than autism. While people with autism show a marked delay in speech and language development, according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), people with Asperger's Syndrome demonstrate average or even above-average language acquisition.

However, some experts have questioned the differentiation between high-functioning autism and Asperger's, noting that there are some people with Asperger's whose speech did not develop normally, while there are people with high-functioning autism who demonstrate the same high level of self-care and cognitive skills. For more information, see the article on this subject in our Resources section.

Q. What is the prognosis for people with autism?  Will my child ever be able to get married or live an independent life?

A: In terms of life span, barring additional health complications, people with autism live as long as the average person. In terms of quality of life, it depends on the individual. Some people with high-functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome do marry, attend college, have successful careers and participate in their communities. Some, like Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who is a professor at Colorado State University, have made tremendous contributions to our understanding and treatment of people with autism. Other individuals with autism will require lifelong care and guidance. Our hope at CAN is that, by finding the causes and effective biological treatments for autism, we will improve the quality of life for all people afflicted with this disorder.

Q. Our family struggles just to get our child to speak.  How can scientific research, like the kind CAN funds, really make a difference in our lives?

A: Scientific research is already beginning to make a difference in the lives of people with autism. Current research on neuroplasticity has helped us understand that there is hope for retraining the brain at any age, which is why we are so excited about our new Neural Retraining Initiative. The Rapid Prompting Method created by Soma Mukhopadhyay and brought to the United States by our co-founder, Portia Iversen, is helping children who were thought to be locked inside their own minds to communicate with their parents, teachers and loved ones. We are funding assistive technology that will eventually help other non-verbal children to express themselves.

There is much to be optimistic about in the field of autism research - but all of this miraculous progress is only possible through the continued support of people like you. Please consider making a generous donation to Cure Autism Now.