April is National Autism Awareness Month

Posted Monday, April 27, 2020

Did you know? 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with autism, up from 1 in 25 just 10 years ago.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is over 4 times more common among boys than among girls. Autism is a complex, developmental disability that normally appears in early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, ability to communicate and more. The following guide has been prepared to provide information on the prevalence of autism, symptoms, and how caregivers can find support.

01│Prevalence                      

Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 54 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is over 4 times more common among boys than among girls.

02│Symptoms & Diagnosis

The disorder’s symptoms vary widely. They may appear in infancy, but usually become clearer during early childhood. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has developed a detailed list of behaviors, listed in four main categories:

• Social behavior

• Stereotyped behavior

• Other behavior

During developmental screening and observation, a child’s doctor can use this list to determine areas of concern. When symptoms are evident, a team of specialists will work with the patient to confirm a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each patient has very unique abilities and challenges. Therefore, the treatment plan will need to be tailored to address the patient’s specific needs.

03│Finding Support

Each family has distinct needs and deals with stressful situations differently. Here are some tips for coping and finding support:

• Ask for help – do not hesitate to use the support available to you from the people around you.

• Join a support group – listening to others with similar experiences can provide comfort and encouragement.

• Take a break – even if it is only for a few minutes, allow yourself to take some time away.

• Keep a journal – some parents have found a journal to be a helpful tool for keeping track of their child’s progress, what is working and what is not.

Learn more about autism disorder and how to get involved in raising awareness: https://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month/

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References:

https://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month/  

https://www.autismawarenessmonth.org/  

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html  

https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit-excerpt/caring-caregiver