who is affected?
 Over 500,000 people in the U.S. live with Autism or some form of pervasive development disorder. According to the Autism Society, the characteristics of Autism can present themselves in a variety of ways. Children can exhibit any combination of behaviors to different levels of severity. In addition, 40 percent of Austistic children do not talk at all.
Autism is not a mental illness, and no one knows exactly what causes it, but scientists think that both genetic and environmental factors may play a role. There is also no known cure for Autism, but medicines may relieve symptoms and be helpful to some children.
Children with Autism may also have other disorders which affect the functioning of the brain such as Epilepsy, Mental Retardation, and Down Syndrome. Autism is not linked to any one racial, ethnic or social boundary.
MedicAlert and Living with Autism
“Ryan doesn't comprehend the danger he's in when he wanders off. We got him the MedicAlert® Membership after the first time he got lost, when we had worried for hours where he might be. Now, with MedicAlert, we know we're going to be contacted, usually within minutes. That's a huge comfort to me”.
Robyn, Mother of Ryan Olson.
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