Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder which impairs a person's ability to relate to others. It is associated with a myriad of symptoms, which may include repetitive behaviors, rigid routines, little or no communication, failure to achieve developmental milestones, frequent "tuning out", inability to play appropriately with toys, and attraction to spinning objects. Some more severe symptoms often associated with autism spectrum disorder include seizures, sensory integration disorder, apraxia and gut problems. Some affected individuals will bite themselves, bang their heads or injure themselves in other ways out of sheer frustration of not being able to communicate their basic needs.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States

67 children are diagnosed per day

Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to rise significantly in the next decade

There is currently no medical detection or cure for autism

Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of prevalent childhood diseases