no.6, 2005
Autism Spectrum Disorder, a complex disorder specifically recognized in the early 1940's, is ten times more prevalent today than just ten years ago. In fact, autism is currently the second most common developmental disability, affecting as many as 1.5 million children and adults in the United States. Autism affects an individual in the areas of communication, social relationships and behavioral patterns, and the range of ability can vary significantly form one person to another.
I was introduced to the students in this series when I accepted a job as a substitute in one of the local TEACCH programs (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children). I've frequented the elementary and preschool classrooms over the past year and a half, observing and learning how the children respond to the world around them.
This project was conducted in cooperation with the families and educators of the students depicted. The photographs were shot at two local elementary schools where the elementary and preschool TEACCH programs are housed.
Resources for learning more:
Autism Society of America, www.autism-society.org
Cure Autism Now Foundation, www.cureautismnow.org
National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR), www.naar.org
National Institute of Mental Health, www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/autism.cfm