The first National Autism Awareness Month was declared by the Autism Society in April 1970. The goal is educate the public about autism, and raise awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
This month is backed by the Autism Society of America which undertake a number of activities to raise awareness about autism. The Autism Society has local chapters throughout the United States which hold special events throughout April, along with other groups that work on autism awareness.
Autism is a complex mental condition and developmental disability, characterized by difficulties in the way a person communicates and interacts with other people. Autism can be present from birth or form during early childhood (typically within the first three years). Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with no single known cause.
In the United States, one estimate is that autism affects one in every 110 children. National Autism Awareness Month aims to make the public more aware about this widespread disability and the issues which arise in the autism community. Chances are that almost everyone know someone with this disability. A better informed public will be more empathetic and supportive toward people with autism.
People with autism are classed as having ASD and the terms autism and ASD are often used interchangeably. A wide spectrum disorder, people will autism have set of symptoms unique to themselves.
Whilst no two people with autism will have the same set of symptoms, there are common characteristics found in those with this complex disability. Some characteristics are:
Social Skills: People with autism have problems interaction with others. Children with autism don’t play and interact as other children do. Verbal skills can be affected.
Empathy: Empathy is the ability to recognize and understand the feelings of another person. People with autism find it harder to show empathy to others although they can be taught to acknowledge the others feelings.
Physical Contact: In some cases, people with autism don’t like physical contact such as hugs, tickling or physical play with others.
Sudden Changes to the Environment: A sudden change in the surrounding environment may affect a person with autism. This could be a loud noise, a change in intensity of lighting or even a change in odor.
Speech: Speech can be affected in people with autism. “Echolalia” is a typical speech symptom in which the person repeats words and phrases that they hear. The speech tone of an autistic person may be monotonous. Where symptoms are more extreme the person may not speak.
Changes to Behavior and Routine: People with autism often display repetitive behavior in which they repeat the same action many times over. Repetitive behavior and routine provide comfort and stability, and what this change, people can have difficulties.
For example, a person with autism may repeatedly pace around a room in a certain direction. Any change to their behavior or routine can be unsettling for them. This could be a reordering of daily activities such as when a person brushes their teeth, takes a shower and has breakfast when they get up in the morning.
Other characteristics of autism include an unpredictable learning rate, obsessions and physical tics.
The “Puzzle Ribbon” is the symbol for Autism Awareness and is promoted by the Autism Society as means of supporting awareness for autism. The Puzzle Ribbon may take the form of a pin attached to clothing, a fridge magnet or a sticker and are available to purchase from the Autism Society website. Learn more and find local resources at
www.autism-society.org
