There is no medical detection or cure for Autism; it respects no town, county or state lines, and it afflicts children regardless of race, religion, economics or geographical location. More children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders than with cancers, AIDS and Diabetes combined every year. Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder of development lasting throughout a person's lifetime. Because individuals with autism exhibit different symptoms or behaviors, ranging from mild to severe, autism is a "spectrum" disorder, or a group of disorders with a range of similar features.

In 2007 The Centers for Disease Control reported 1 in every 150 children is born with an autism spectrum disorder, and a new case of autism is diagnosed every 20 minutes making it the fastest-growing developmental disability in the nation. At the same time Autism is four-times more likely to impact boys than girls. To put this in perspective the annual population increase is only 13% and physical disabilities increase by 16%, while ASDs increase by at least 172%.

Colorado has the highest out of pocket costs for treatment of autism in the nation. Colorado ranks 49^th in funding for Special Education, and is 48^th in the nation for funding treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. According to the Centers for Disease Control 1 out of every 159 eight-year-olds in Colorado has an Autism Spectrum Disorder right now. Today there are over 12,000 children and adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities on waiting lists for services they need. That is more people waiting for help than are receiving it here in Colorado.