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Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and early diagnosis/intervention and access to appropriate services/supports lead to significantly improved outcomes. Signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.
Associated Behaviors to Know About During Autism Awareness Month
Some of the behaviors associated with autism include:
- Delayed learning of language
- Difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation
- Difficulty with executive functioning, which relates to reasoning and planning
- Narrow, intense interests
- Poor motor skills and sensory sensitivities
Again, a person on the spectrum might follow many of these behaviors or just a few.
Here are Some Signs to Look for in Children
- Lack of or delay in spoken language
- Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects)
- Little or no eye contact
- Lack of interest in peer relationships
- Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
- Persistent fixation on parts of objects
What treatment options are available for ASD?
Treatment for ASD should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis. Early treatment for ASD is important as proper care and services can reduce individuals’ difficulties while helping them build on their strengths and learn new skills.
People with ASD may face a wide range of issues, which means that there is no single best treatment for ASD. Working closely with a health care provider is an important part of finding the right combination of treatment and services.
Medication
A health care provider may prescribe medication to treat specific symptoms.
With medication, a person with ASD may have fewer problems with:
- Irritability
- Aggression
- Repetitive behavior
- Hyperactivity
- Attention problems
- Anxiety and depression
Read more about the latest medication warnings, patient medication guides, and information on newly approved medications at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website .
Behavioral, Psychological, and Educational Interventions
People with ASD may be referred to a health care provider who specializes in providing behavioral, psychological, educational, or skill-building interventions. These programs are often highly structured and intensive, and they may involve caregivers, siblings, and other family members.
These programs may help people with ASD:
- Learn social, communication, and language skills
- Reduce behaviors that interfere with daily functioning
- Increase or build upon strengths
- Learn life skills for living independently
Other Resources for Autism Awareness Month
Many services, programs, and other resources are available to help people with ASD.
Here are some tips for finding these additional services:
- Contact your health care provider, local health department, school, or autism advocacy group to learn about special programs or local resources.
- Find an autism support group. Sharing information and experiences can help people with ASD and their caregivers learn about treatment options and ASD-related programs.
- Record conversations and meetings with health care providers and teachers. This information may help when it’s time to decide which programs and services are appropriate.
- Keep copies of health care reports and evaluations. This information may help people with ASD qualify for special programs.
Personalized Cause® and Autism Awareness Month
At Personalized Cause®, we offer two types of pins to recognize autism and autism spectrum disorder. We offer a puzzle pieces pin that can be personalized with a name, date or message. This is a great way for parents to show support of this important cause or a loved one. We also offer the infinity neurodiversity pin. Both pins are great additions to Autism Month Awareness events and fundraisers.
(Content: Autism-society.org; Image: ethereal3d.com)
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