Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the ability to communicate and socially interact.  It is the fastest rising developmental disability in the United States, occurring more often in children than leukemia, muscular dystrophy, pediatric AIDS, and juvenile diabetes.  Yet autism receives less than 5% of the funding for research that these other diseases obtain.   An estimated 1 out of every 150 children are affected by autism.  There is no known cause or cure.  The only method proven effective in treating autism is through early intervention.