Autism, the third leading childhood disorder in the United States, is a developmental disability that appears during the first three years of life. Although some children are born with autism, the vast majority experience a normal period of development followed by regression. Autism appears in many degrees, and although treatments and research studies positively continue, we are no closer to determining the cause of this disorder. Not long ago, autism was assumed to be uncommon, affecting

as few as one in every 10,000 people. The latest studies, however, suggest that as many as one in 150 kids age 10 and younger may be affected by autism or a related disorder such as Asperger Syndrome, totaling nearly 300,000 children in America. If you include adults, more than a million people in the U.S. have an autistic disorder. It occurs in every socioeconomic class and in every state. Given these astonishing statistics, the need for planning for your loved one with autism is more important than ever. We have the tools to help you begin your planning process today.