Saturday, April 11, 2009

April is "Autism Awareness Month" but for "Maddy" Autism is Everyday


Updated March 29, 2017

I was sent (Valerie) this link for a new web site. The magazine provides expert advice from respected professionals about autism and offers solutions for families.

Check it out it is really good!
4/11/09
Autism is our country's fastest growing developmental disability. Autism spectrum disorders now affect 1 in 150 children. Autism is more common than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and AIDS combined. Do you know that every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism!

Early diagnosis and intervention are extremely important to the progress a child with autism can make.

What is autism?Autism is a neurologically-based developmental disability that affects the way a child’s brain develops and the ability to communicate, reason and interact with others.

What does it mean that autism is a "spectrum" disorder?In a spectrum disorder, symptoms and characteristics present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe and in any combination.

What is Asperger's disorder?In layman's terms, Asperger's is a disorder on the autism spectrum. Individuals with Asperger's disorder are often considered mildly affected by autism in the sense that there are no significant language and cognitive delays. Persons with Asperger's experience impairments in social interactions and restriction in activities.

What are the signs of autism?Parents, teachers and medical professionals may look for these behaviors:
*not responding to name;
*doesn't point to wave goodbye;
*used to say a few words, but now doesn't;
*intense tantrums;
*odd movement (twirling, flapping, rocking);
*poor eye contact;
*unusual attachment to objects or schedules;
*lining up items in a certain order.
*Having one or more of these signs indicates the need for a developmental screening.
I must add a personal note that there is a big difference working in a Private School when it comes to Autism than in the Public School. The Private School suspects any out of the ordinary behavior as being a form of Autism. The Public School does not know what label to put on children who don't conform to predetermined behavior by so called experts so they add about three or four learning disorders just to make sure they have done their jobs.

Everyday is Autism for Maddy
The facts above are commonly known to many people today about Autism because of the national attention it has received through the media. However, what is not commonly known is the day to day life of a family where autism affects every part of their life 24 hours a day.
Families with Autism do not ask for special treatment nor do they want our sympathy, they just want us to understand they have the same ups and downs as those of us without Autism in our lives. I for one learn through the writings of Maddy. I hope you will join me at the links below.
One family and blog that I have followed for the past number of years can be found at: http://whittereronautism.com/.
I would also ask you to stop by Maddy's Shop at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6536626

To read more on Autism by qualityg you can click here --> http://qualityg.blogspot.com/search/label/ASD%20-%20Autism%20Spectrum%20Disorders

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