Detected in approximately four to five of every ten thousand births (Powers 10), autism is a widely misunderstood disease. General knowledge of autism, often mistaken, is derived from films such as Rainman. These unrealistic films feature autistic characters who are portrayed as being excessively intelligent. In reality, however, only twenty percent of people diagnosed with autism have average or above-average intelligence (“Autism Primer” 2). Actually, the majority of autistic people suffer varying degrees of mental retardation. A …showed first 75 words of 1772 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1772 total…-2000. Families for Early Autism Treatment, Inc. December 17, 2000 . Powers, Michael D. Children with Autism. New Jersey: Woodbine House, Inc. 1989. “Scientific Nutrition for Autism and PDD.” Kirkman Laboratories, Inc. 2000. Kirkman Laboratories, Inc. November 13, 2000 . “What is Autism.” The National Autistic Society. 2000. The National Autistic Society. November 23, 2000 . Wing, Lorna. Autistic Children. New York: Brunner/Mazel Inc. 1972.