Facts about autism and the Autism Center

• Autism is not a rare disorder. Autism affects 1 per 167 people and is more common than Down syndrome or childhood cancer.
   
• Autism is a neurologically based developmental disability, not an emotional disorder.
   
• Unlike many other disorders, with the proper knowledge, autism can be detected as early as 18 months of age, offering hope for intervention during the period when the brain is most plastic.
   
• It has been discovered that some children with autism have a dramatic response to early intensive behavioral interventions, and most are helped substantially. For example, early intervention can result in a significant increase in IQ and language ability and a decrease in support services needed later in childhood. These results stand in stark contrast to the very poor outcomes of children who do not receive early intervention.
   
• Because of this remarkable response to intervention, we now have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on numerous individuals and society. The lifetime net financial cost savings per individual who receives intensive early intervention can be 2 million dollars. The impact on the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families is immeasurable.
   
• Unfortunately, services available lag sadly behind the scientific knowledge. Most health professionals do not recognize autism until 3-4 years when the optimal time for early intervention has passed. Even when autism is recognized early, accessing intervention services can be very challenging. There can be tremendous financial and personal hardships in their attempt to find services. As a result, most children with autism do not receive appropriate services. The Autism Center is addressing this need.
   
• The University of Washington has an internationally recognized clinical research program on autism at the Center on Human Development and Disability. This team of scientists and clinicians is currently conducting research on early diagnosis and development, and the neurobiological and genetic bases of autism. They have the needed expertise to establish the Autism Center that is providing professional clinical training and intervention services and continue to move this exciting field forward through research.

The Autism Center's mission is as follows:

( 1 ) To provide coordinated state-of-the-art services for children with autism spectrum disorders and related developmental disabilities and their families; ( 2 ) To provide professional training in order to build capacity in the community in terms of its ability to provide such services; ( 3 ) To increase knowledge and awareness about autism spectrum disorders and related developmental disabilities in the professional community and general public; ( 4 ) To serve as a model for service delivery for other communities across the nation; and ( 5 ) To collaborate with clinical and research programs relevant to autism spectrum disorder at the University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability, and in the broader community.

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Please consider joining in this important effort by supporting the funding of the Autism Center.
For more information, contact the Autism Center at 206-685-1272