Autism Awareness

The Autism Society wants to make the world aware of autism. They wish to make all aware of inclusion and self determination for all. Assuring that each person with ASD is provided with the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life. It is important that friends and collaborators become partners in the movement toward acceptance and appreciation. 

While the Autism Society has been active for 50 years I have to say that I did not hear about it until attending college in my  30s. The word has been sent to all around with previous campaigns and activities. Making sure that those with autism is included and accepted in schools and communities results in true appreciation of the unique aspects of all. 

In the United States nearly 1 in 68 individuals will be born with autism. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability. More than 3.5 million Americans live with a form of Autism. Autism is a condition resulting neurological disorders that have an effect on normal brain function, affecting development of the individuals communication and social interaction skills. No two individuals will have the same symptoms and some cases will be more severe than others

A person diagnosed with Autism may seem a bit socially clumsy and sometimes offensive. An autistic individual may even come off as not interested in others at all. Those with autism may not possess the skills for talking and playing with others. 

Children with autism often do not like surprises, smells, loud noises or physical contact. If the child knows what is going to happen they can learn to cope with the situation better than surprising them. Children will autism will also develop differently than others. Their cognitive skills may develop at relatively harmonious rate but their social and language skills may be slower. They may not be able to throw a ball as far as others but they may have a larger vocabulary. Autistic Children take longer to develop all skills as their learning process may be unpredictable. They may at first learn the hard way before they learn the easy way. Individuals with autism still are like all humans and feel happy, sad, mad, frustrated, and other emotions. They may not be able to express their feelings the way others do but they are still very present.