The Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov indicates in the 1970's the rate of occurrence in children was approximately 1 in 10,000 births. A more recent statistic indicates that "autism now affects 1 in 166 children in the United States, up more than tenfold from just a decade ago. There are almost 1.5 million cases of autism in this country alone, with 3 children being diagnosed per hour." www.autismspeaks.com .

As a parent if you're wondering what to do if you are concerned or if you've noticed that your child's peers are developing in ways which feel in your gut to be somehow different than your own child's - when in doubt get them tested.

If there is something that is happening with your child's development, early detection will provide intervention that can only benefit your child and you. If you get testing and your child's abilities are within normal ranges then you can breath a sigh of relief and take a break from wondering. It's a win-win situation.

Some wonderful resources include Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.com), The American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org/healthtopics/autism), they also have a subcategory on their website regarding Developmental Stages (www.aap.org/healthtopics/stages). You may also want to check out the National Autism Association at (www.nationalautismassociation.org).  

Finally, a wonderful book entitled "The Stolen Child - Aspects of Autism and Asperger Syndrome" by Ann Hewetson