Autism isn't a disease, it's a symptom. It ranges in severity from a handicap that limits an otherwise normal life to a devastating disability requiring 24 hour care.

Children with autism (S) have trouble communicating. They have trouble understanding what other people think and feel. This makes it very hard for them to express themselves either with words or through gestures, facial expressions and touch.

Autism is 4 times more common in boys than in girls (we really hit the lottery). It knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle or educational levels do not affect a child's chance of having autism.

Exactly why autism happens isn't clear. Research suggests that it may arise from physical problems in parts of the brain that interpret sensory input and process language. Imbalances in brain chemicals also appear to play a role.

Like with anything, you're never really appreciative of the perfection of the brain till it doesn't work like everyone else's.