The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is one of many federal agencies working to understand autism.  The NICHD supports and conducts research on what causes autism, how many people have autism, how best to treat the symptoms of autism, and other topics. 

Even though autism was first described in the 1940s, little was really known about the disorder until the 1990s.  Even today, there is a great deal that researchers, scientists, and health care providers don’t know about autism. 

But there are things that we do know about autism.  This fact sheet offers broad information about autism and answers some of the more common questions that parents and families often have about the disorder.  You can get more detailed information on these topics from the sources listed in the References section.  Keep in mind that the articles listed are geared toward scientists and researchers, so the information is more technical than what is presented here.

Knowledge of autism is always growing as research examines more and different sides of the disorder.  The NICHD joins other federal agencies, organizations, and support groups in helping those with autism achieve their full potential to live healthy, productive lives.