What Is Autism?
According to NAMI, “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects a person’s ability to socialize and communicate with others. People with ASD can also present with restricted and/or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. The term “spectrum” refers to the degree in which the symptoms, behaviors, and severity vary within and between individuals. Some people are mildly impaired by their symptoms, while others are severely disabled.”
What Are The Symptoms Of Autism?
There are significant differences with impairment ranging from children and adults that do not speak and remain nonverbal, to mild difficulties. Some children show little interest and engage in repetitive behaviors.
- Infants often avoid eye contact and minimally respond
- Infants show difficulties forming emotional bonds and parental attachment
- Responds to sensory stimulation and may be highly sensitive to certain sounds, textures, tastes, or smells
- Deficits in motor coordination and poor muscle tone
- Hand flapping, body rocking, and making sounds
- Arrange or stack objects over and over again
- Hand biting and head banging
- Unvarying routines
There Is Successful Treatment For Managing Behaviors Caused by Autism
According to Autism Speaks, every child or adult with autism has unique strengths and challenges, so there is no one size fits all approach to autism treatment and intervention.
Many people with autism have additional medical conditions such as sleep disturbance, seizures, and/or gastrointestinal (GI) distress. Addressing these conditions can improve attention, learning, and related behaviors. Many people also benefit from therapies for communication, social skills, or motor challenges, or to learn other skills like feeding or self-care.
Each autism intervention or treatment plan should be tailored to address the person’s specific needs. A person’s treatment plan can include behavioral interventions, other therapies, medicines, or a combination of these.
How Can I Get Involved?
According to the organization, Autism Speaks, they focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering worldwide support.
Supporters can participate in World Autism Month by:
- Taking the pledge to create a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential by increasing understanding and acceptance. You’ll receive free information, resources, and tools to engage and advocate in your community and learn the impact of your support through Autism Speaks.
- Join Autism Speak’s 2.8 million social followers and help foster understanding and acceptance by sharing the diverse stories of people on the spectrum or telling your own. Submit your story for our social media pages here.
- Invite your colleagues, classroom, and friends to join the Kindness Campaign and encourage acceptance, understanding, and inclusion with daily acts of kindness at school, work, or in your community. Together, we can create a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential.
- Make a meaningful, lasting impact for people with autism with your gift. It’s one of the easiest and best ways to show your support. Donate today!
- Learn about all the ways you can fundraise on social media.
- Joined by the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world come together on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day, to Light It Up Blue in recognition of people with autism and those who love and support them.
If you or a loved one are experiencing any stressors and are in need of support, help is a click away. We have trained therapists and counselors who can help you.
Erica Marriaga is a proud fur-mama of her two rescue dogs, Toby and Tucker. She loves to spend time with her husband and bond with her family, nieces, and nephews. Erica is passionate and enthusiastic about her role as a therapist.
EWC has locations in Manalapan and Shrewsbury, NJ, and accepts a variety of insurances.
Check out Erica’s professional bio here!
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