The odds of a child being in a fatal automobile accident: 1 in 23,000

The odds of a child being diagnosed with Autism: 1 in 150

The odds say that it’s time to listen.

What is Autism?

Autism is a neurological disorder and, contrary to popular belief, it is not rare. It usually strikes in the first two years of life and can cause severe impairment in communication, cognition and social interaction. Though many autistic children make great progress through early intervention, the majority will never learn to speak. Occurring in 1 in every 166 births, autism is the second most common developmental disability, following mental retardation and surpassing cerebral palsy. It is more common than multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis or childhood cancer. Autism is a national crisis affecting over 1,500,000 Americans and costing the nation over $90 billion a year, yet, it receives less than 15% of the federal funding of these other childhood disorders.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism, and to advocating for the needs of affected families. It was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Vice Chairman, General Electric, and served as chief executive officer of NBC for more than twenty years. Autism Speaks has merged with both the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) and Cure Autism Now (CAN), bringing together the nation's three leading autism advocacy organizations. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.