Frequently Asked Questions

These are some questions about autism that I often get asked myself or see asked on groups.

Questions about the nature of autism, its incidence, causes, and diagnosis.

What is autism?

I have one child with autism, what are my chances of having another?

How is autism diagnosed and what do the criteria mean?

What is PDD and what's the difference between PDD and autism?

Is Asperger's really a kind of autism, or is it a different condition with similar characteristics?

Are hyperlexia, semantic-pragmatic disorder, and non-verbal learning disability/disorder forms of autism?

Does poor parenting cause autism?

Is the rate of autism really rising?

Do vaccines cause autism?

Questions about the treatment, education, and cure of autism.

What treatment for autism is best?

How do I know if a treatment is legitimate and if it will help my child?

What kind of school should my autistic child go to?

Is there a cure for autism?

Questions about autistic behaviour, development, thinking, feelings, and autism from the inside.

My child throws the most incredibly intense, long-lasting tantrums over the smallest thing. What can I do to stop this?

An autistic person I look after self-injures. Why does she do this and how can we stop it?

Does my child love me?

Why are autistic adults I try to talk to so rude/blunt?

Will my child ever talk?

Do all autistic people have special/savant skills?

Will my child ever get married and/or have children?

Questions about diagnosis and support.

My child has just been diagnosed with autism, what should I do?

Where can I find support for autism-related issues?

I have just been diagnosed autistic; what's out there for me?

Could I be autistic?

My child was just diagnosed autistic. Now I'm thinking I might have some traits too. Is this possible, or am I just imagining things?