Do you know a child or adult who may have autism?

Early diagnosis is key to his or her treatment

Autism is a disorder affecting one in every 150 children. It affects not only children but also adults. It is a complex developmental disorder with a wide range of actions and symptoms. In short, it shows itself in many ways. There is no one-size-fits-all label.

You may see:

• Delayed speech or no speech
• Avoiding contact with others, such as not touching or hugging you, or not looking at you when you are talking to him or her
• Playing with things in an odd way - like constantly stacking toys or lining them up in a very certain way
• Strong reactions or dislikes to certain colors, textures, or types of food

These behaviors are not always noticed in a 15 to 30 minute visit at your doctor's office. Your child often will appear "normal" to others.

Children and adults with autism can show any combination of behaviors in many different ways. Two people with the same diagnosis can act very differently from one another. Early diagnosis is important for getting the best treatments for this disorder. The earlier a child is diagnosed, the earlier the child can take advantage of specialized intervention approaches, treatment, and education.

If your child or family member has these or any other unusual behaviors, here are ways you can get help:

• Talk with your child's doctor.
• Ask for tests to make sure it is not another problem, such as a hearing problem.
• Call your county mental health agency (see the list below).
• Call your local Intermediate Unit (IU). Find your local IU.
• Call the Pennsylvania early intervention hotline (children: birth to 3 years old) at 1-800-692-7288.
• Visit Autism Society of America or call 1-800-3Autism.