Facts About Autism

• Every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with autism.
• Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability today.
• One in 100 children are now being diagnosed with autism, one in 70 boys. (December 2009)
• The annual cost of private therapy for a family with a child who has autism is $40,000 to $60,000 per year.
• The waiting list for diagnosis through the Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre is a year or more.
• The waiting list for Intensive Behaviour Intervention (IBI) therapy (CHEO) is two years or more.
• "Research indicates...that early intervention in an appropriate educational setting for at least two years during the preschool years can result in significant improvements for many young children with autism spectrum disorders." (Autism Speaks)