Autism is a genetic disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life. Five chromosomes are believed to be directly linked to autism. The disorder is a complex developmental disability. Autism is the result of a neurological disorder that affects normal brain functions, affecting the development of a person's communication and social interaction skills. There are many different ways to classify autism; from difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behavior. Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development, however most signs of autism become apparent around the ages of two and three. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 68 American children are diagnosed with autism. Studies have shown that autism is four to five times more common in boys than in girls. An estimated 1 in 42 boys are diagnosed with the disease, compared to 1 in 189 girls in the United States. Autism rates. There are many different causes related to autism. The two main factors that are mostly discussed are that autism is genetically inherited and autism is established through environmental factors. Autism is directly linked to five chromosomes. The five linked to it are chromosome 2, chromosome 3, chromosome 7, chromosome 15, and chromosome X. Chromosome is defined as an organized package of DNA found in the nucleus of the cell. Different organisms have different numbers of chromosomes. Humans have twenty-three pairs of chromosomes. twenty-two of them are numerical chromosomes called autosomes, and a pair of sex chromosomes which are x and Y. Chromosome two is the second largest......in the center of the card......the awareness of the ability to process language and sensory experiences and to integrate with one's environment. Until research on autism and other developmental disabilities provides more information about how autism affects neurological function, children and adults who are affected will not be able to take full advantage of our abilities as providers of equal education and healthcare for all. It is only with more information about the neurological differences in the autistic brain that we will fully understand how best to teach people with autism so that they can participate to their fullest potential within their community. It is my personal belief that great progress will be made in my lifetime and that a new level of achievement will be the normal expectation for parents when their child receives this shocking diagnosis in the next generation..