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In comparison to other disabilities, autism is a very rare life-long disability that is typically observed prior to a child’s third birthday. Afflicting only about one in 3,000 live births, this disorder has received a level of scrutiny and interest that far exceeds its prevalence. One might conclude from such a high level of attention that there would be a well-established approach to questions on etiology, assessment, and treatment. Unfortunately, little agreement exists on any of these issues. Unlike some of the other developmental disabilities, the cause of autism is unknown, its characteristics are similar to those of other diagnostic categories (e.g., mental retardation, schizophrenia), and its troubling behaviors have been shown to be largely unresponsive to traditional medical interventions and psychotherapeutic approaches. |
