Box 4751, Regina, Saskchewan S4P 3Y4

Autism Resource Centre

“To achieve a meaningful and independent life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder through education, awareness and programming.”

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of complex neuro-biological disorders that affect the way a person communicates, relates to others, and perceives their environment. ASD is an “umbrella” term that includes Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). The severity of the disorder varies in each individual; however, each person with ASD exhibits the following characteristics to some degree:

ASD affects individuals of all races, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds. Boys are affected four times more than girls, except with Rett’s Disorder, which affects only females. The cause is unknown; however, both biological and environmental factors are said to contribute to the development of this lifelong disorder. Research is currently examining several specific genes.

The incidence of ASD is on the rise. In Canada, 1 in 165 individuals (or 1:94 boys) are diagnosed with ASD. This statistic has increased over 600% in the last ten years (Geneva Centre for Autism, 2007). ASD was once viewed as a rare disorder, and is now recognized as the most common childhood disorder, affecting more children than cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.