Researchers still aren't sure why - but the number of children with autism appears to be on the rise. One thing they have determined is that alternatives to traditional therapy are helping some of the families dealing with it.

Dr. Traci Swink is the Co Founder of The Bridge Center in Marshfield. It's a place for families to get training to help them interact with their Autistic children-- using play. Doctor Swink calls The Bridge Centers Program D-I-R Floortime. "There are programs in the state that do have a component of play and do call it floor time. But I think The Bridge Center is unique because it is the focus of our program. "

She says she was first introduced to Floortime while completing her residency at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland but credits her knowledge of Autism to life experience. "My background trained me to be a so called expert in helping families cope and deal with their children's neurological problems but i can honestly say there was virtually nothing in my background that prepared me to be the parent of a child with Autism."

Dr. Swink says they are currently helping about 15 families throughout North central Wisconsin connect with their children using play.

The cause of Autism remains a mystery, and Dr. Swink encourages families to be patient and hope Floortime may be the key that brings their children out of their world and into ours. "This is a marathon, it's not a sprint" says Dr. Swink.