Autism

The police department in the central Missouri town of Moberly has launched a voluntary autism directory aimed at helping improve officers’ interactions with people on the autism spectrum.

Recently the Chili's restaurant chain decided to cancel a planned fund-raiser for autism awareness when customers complained that the group set to receive the donations promotes "anti-vaccination" propaganda.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.  It's difficult to diagnose, difficult to treat, and difficult to understand.

What exactly causes autism is still uncertain, but researchers are investigating the possibility that a mother having the flu while she is pregnant may increase the likelihood of her child being born with the condition.