What has been diagnosed in children more than Leukemia, Muscular Dystrophy, pediatric AIDS or juvenile diabetes? What affects boys four times more than girls?

Autism.

It knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries. Approximately every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed. According to Autism Speaks, a leading organization dedicated to Autism research, advocacy and awareness, autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime and is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Developmental Milestones
At each stage of a baby's first few years there are milestone markers. Demonstrating eye contact, babbling, smiling, mimicking and more at these identified stages determine whether a child is on track developmentally.

Red Flags
Missing the above milestones doesnt directly imply autism. However, children as young as one have been diagnosed. There are a few indicators that can be considered absolute, or red flags. Some examples include:

• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
  
• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter
  
• No babbling by 12 months
  

Navigating the Future
After diagnosis, then what? For a large number of families affected by ASD, adolescence is rapidly approaching, followed by early adulthood. Each stage presents its own obstacles and not nearly enough information is available to guide caregivers through the upcoming journey.

Autism Journeys: Today, Tomorrow and Beyond
On August 11-12 join families, doctors, government officials, teachers and more to learn how to identify red flags for early detection, and what resources are available for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. Hear from parents with autistic adult children and teenagers, financial advisors, educators and professionals working with autism and related syndromes.

This is one journey you wont soon forget.

Learn more about this invaluable conference and how you can participate. Visit sce-autism.uwm.edu or contact program director, Mary Pick at mpick@uwm.edu or 414-227-3353.