1. Autism Natalija Nikolic & Dale Lingle

2. What is Autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex disorder of brain development. It is also known as a wide spectrum disorder, meaning that no two autistic people will have exactly the same symptoms. These disorders include autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger Syndrome. Autism typically occurs in children before they get to the age of three. People with autism usually will stick to a set pattern of behaviors and will resist any minor or major change. However, if the autistic person has a chance to prepare for the change, they will be less likely to resist the change. A child with autism may be able to learn much faster than a child without autism. However, they may just as quickly forget what they learned.

3. How common is Autism? Autism statistics from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found around 1 in 110 American children as on the autism spectrum. Studies show that autism is three to four times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism in the United States. More children this year will be diagnosed Autism than with childhood cancer.

4. What is the cause of Autism? Most cases of autism seem to be caused by a combination of autism risk genes and environmental factors influencing early brain development.

5. Bibliography "What Is Autism? | Autism Speaks." Home | Autism Speaks. Web. 21 Dec. 2011.. "What Is Autism? What Causes Autism?" Medical News Today: Health News. Web. 22 Dec. 2011.