Jared was 1 1/2 years old, but he didn't talk like the other kids in the playgroup. In fact, he didn't even point to things. He seemed to have no interest in communicating at all. And he had no interest in the other children. While they were playing make-believe or arguing over who had what toy, Jared sat in the corner wildly flapping his arms.

His mom was confused and a little embarrassed when another parent commented, "He's a loner, isn't he?"

"I guess," his mom responded, with a forced chuckle. She wanted to believe that it was that simple, but, deep down, she knew it was something more.

Although it's impossible to make an accurate diagnosis without a professional evaluation, Jared's behaviors are indicative of autism. Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the normal development of communication and social skills. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as one in 500 individuals have the condition, which is more likely to occur in boys than in girls. Most often, signs of the disorder typically appear by a child's 3rd birthday and continue to varying degrees throughout his life.

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.