“He’s a boy -- it’s going to take him a little longer.”

That’s what the pediatrician told Shelley Mills when she expressed concern that her 18-month-old son, Nicholas, wasn’t developing verbally at the same rate as other kids his age.

Three months later, Mills, of Ashburn Farm, noticed Nicholas was regressing -- he was jabbering and speaking in nonsensical jargon.

The Mills family (Photos submitted by Shelley Mills)

She took her son to Georgetown Hospital, where he was diagnosed with autism.

According to the Autism Society of America, one out of every 150 children born in the U.S. today will be diagnosed as autistic. It is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the country.

Autism is a brain-development disorder that typically reveals itself before a child’s third birthday. Symptoms can include repetitive or obsessive behavior, problems with verbal and non-verbal communications or severely impaired social skills. For unknown reasons, autism is most prevalent in boys.

Researchers aren’t sure what causes autism; speculations range from genetic predisposition to the toxic environment to the most controversial -- the childhood vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella.

Autism often puts a huge emotional and financial strain on families, and support is a welcome reprieve.

Mills feels fortunate to have met four other local mothers raising autistic children through last October’s Autism Walk in D.C. “We have so much in common and we all have boys about the same age,” she said.

Nicholas Mills

Together, these women have launched the Loudoun County Autism Network to provide support and information for area families with autistic kids.

The group is planning to meet monthly and host speakers to address the latest in research and success strategies -- restrictive diets that may ease a child’s symptoms, events for autistic children and how to navigate the school system’s special education programs.

Nicholas is now 4 1/2 and Mills says he is thriving in a preschool program for developmentally delayed children at Cedar Lane Elementary.

She also has Nicholas on a dairy and gluten-free diet. “Two weeks after we did no dairy, his language exploded.”

Mills continues to stay active in the fight against autism. This morning, she’s off to a conference in New Jersey called DAN -- Defeat Autism Now.

A local business is also helping the cause.

In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, Pump It Up in Leesburg is hosting a “Bounce for Autism” night on Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. All proceeds from the event (suggested donation of $10) will benefit the Autism Society of America.