April is a special month because it is Autism Awareness Month. April 2 is Autism Awareness Day and is celebrated by lighting blue. So, I thought I would share what I know about autism to increase awareness.
Well, what does it mean to have autism?
Imagine that it’s a dark stormy night. You are in an unknown place where people speak a language you don’t understand. You feel scared and trapped. You try to say something, but nobody can understand you. Sometimes you say things you don’t mean. Your clothes are sticking to your body and making you feel itchy. Light and sounds are like loud drums playing in your eyes and ears, and you can’t stop it. You cover your ears and close your eyes. You think to yourself, “Please let it stop.” Maybe you start to scream and howl. This is how some autistic children may feel during sensory overload. Schools can be challenging for children with autism and therefore need more support.
People may say you’re different, but does it mean you are worth any less? No, it doesn’t. Everyone is different in their own ways. When I was four, my sister was born a couple of weeks earlier. A year and a half later, my parents noticed that she was not behaving like children of her age. She had slow development milestones such as not crawling or walking when other kids her age could do, not being able to point to things, and wasn’t able to talk. She didn’t respond to her name or sounds. They were all red flags. When I was her age, I could say my first words, crawl, play, and walk around. So, they thought it was strange and took her to a psychologist. They decided to do some testing at psychology clinic and was found to have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They indicated she was low functioning. After that, they recommended my parents send her to special therapy and early childhood programs as she turned three. She went to long hours of speech and ABA therapy. Now she is nine and can express her needs and wants. She can also write and read, but she still has her challenges and a long journey ahead. Irrespective of everything, we love her for who she is. As a sibling of a kid with ASD, she has taught me a lot and made me a better version of myself.
Well, what exactly is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder. Its severity varies by social interaction, communication, and behavior. *They are neurodivergent, so may act differently from neurotypical people. An autistic person is affected differently than another autistic person. That is why it is known as a spectrum disorder. People with autism may have sensory issues and find things too loud or too bright and feel stressed, uncomfortable, and overwhelmed.
Did you know that Leo Kanner, an American psychiatrist, identified the first case of autism in 1943? I just found that out today!
Often, people use missing puzzle pieces to symbolize autism, perhaps because ASD is still a mystery.
How common is ASD?
According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 1 to 44 children are diagnosed with ASD in the US. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls (unclear reasons).*
What causes ASD?
The exact cause is unknown, but researchers claim genetics and environmental factors play a role.
What are the different types of ASD?
It is usually divided based on the severity, such as high-functioning and low functioning.
People with high-functioning autism can do things independently, such as getting dressed, eating, and writing. They may still have some quirky behaviors and difficulty with social skills. Many famous scientists had high-functioning ASD, such as Issac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Temple Grandin. Asperger’s Syndrome is a high-functioning form of autism. It’s a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interactions and communications and is known to have constant repetitive behavior.
People with low-functioning autism usually are unable to live independently. They require support from a guardian or aids. They may have delayed speech or be nonverbal and struggle to socialize.
What are the signs and symptoms of ASD?
Symptoms may vary, but they are mostly no eye contact, delayed milestones as an infant, unusual mood reactions, getting upset over sounds, tastes, or smells, and repetitive movements. You cannot just immediately diagnose someone with autism. It is a challenging diagnosis because each kid may have different signs. A trained psychologist known as a neuropsychologist does evaluation and suggest therapy plans,
What is the treatment for ASD?
There is no permanent cure, but there are interventions to support it. For kids with autism, teacher’s aides or special education teachers are very important. A teacher’s aide watches over kids with autism or is like a buddy that helps them, especially when attending classes. They also get help from Applied Behavior Analysis therapy (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy. There is also therapy to learn social skills and learn to be independent.
Early screening and intervention make a huge difference, so it is important to recognize the signs and seek help. As a parent if you are concerned about the child, you should discuss this with the Pediatrician.
Schools play a very important role in the lives of children with ASD. Luckily, I go to a school system with a great special education program and clubs like Best Buddies, where kids of all abilities can make friends and have fun.
Let’s increase autism awareness and acceptance in our community.
Let’s celebrate the neurodiversity!
Here I end my blog with some quotes.
“Don’t pity me, don’t judge me, just try to understand me…” – From a kid with autism.
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” – Dr. Seuss
“Autism can’t define me, only I can define autism” – Dr. Kerry Magro
Reference:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
*CDC Surveillance Summaries / December 3, 2021 / 70(11);1–16
*CDC Surveillance Summaries / December 3, 2021 / 70(11);1–16
Acknowledgments: Special thanks to my mother, who helped me review CDC website resources , and my cousin, Simran Thakur, for proofreading my work!
Disclaimer: Based on my experience as a sibling and some research on the CDC website.