Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Autism Awareness Section
Autism Awareness Section
Autism Awareness Section
Five
1
Lacking the capacity to communicate with others is a prevalent trait. Children cant seem to mix with and befriend other children.
2
Inability to verbalize needs and wants. Autism sufferers often resort to gestures and pointing instead of using language skills to speak.
3
Resistance to change. Autism sufferers insist on never breaking from their routine and strongly oppose change.
4
Negative reaction to physical affection. Children with autism may resist hugging, cuddling and making eye contact; parents feel as if the child is not reciprocating their love.
5
Unresponsiveness to verbal cues. Autistic children often act deaf, despite hearing tests that show their hearing is normal range.
Its NATIONAL
awareness month
autism is the failure to communicate and utilize verbal cues, the puzzle pieces illustrate the sense of disconnect and frustration felt by families of autism sufferers. The variety of shapes and colors represent the diversity of people who live with and are touched by the disease in their daily lives. The ribbon unifies these puzzle pieces into one bright, cohesive whole and stands for an overarching message of hope. This hope is made possible as people join together and create a support network that increases awareness and, in turn, opens the doors to more solutions and a brighter outlook for autism than ever before. Increasingly, with earlier intervention and more appropriate treatments, autistic youths and adults are leading full and satisfying lives in the classrooms, the workplace and, most important, in fulfilling family relationships.
he statistic is staggering: 1 out of 88 children in America is affected by the prevalent spectrum of autism. To acknowledge the growing demand for both knowledge and action, the Autism Society began recognizing National Autism Awareness Month in the 1970s. (See autism-society.org for more details.)
BY JOANNA ERNST
Each year, the United States celebrates this occasion during the month of April to shine the national spotlight on autism. This much-needed attention creates the ideal platform to promote the spread of information, from the latest medical breakthroughs to the best tips for living with the disease from early childhood into the adult years.
he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not know all of the causes of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, it has discovered that there are likely many causes for multiple types of ASDs. There may be many different factors that make a child more likely to have an ASD, including environmental, biologic and genetic factors. THE LATEST FINDINGS FROM THE CDC ON AUTISM INCLUDE: About 1 in 88 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDCs Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. ASDs are almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 54) than among girls (1 in 252). Studies done in 2006-2008 indicate that about 1 in 6 children in the U.S. had a developmental disability, ranging from mild disabilities such as speech and language impairments to serious developmental disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and autism. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC.GOV
MANY CHALLENGES FACE ADULTS WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.
Many were diagnosed as children and are aware of their condition. However, in years past, many people were not identified as autistic since knowledge of the disorder and information were not as common as they are today. It is likely that many adults are living with autism without being aware of it. Becoming familiar with the symptoms of autism can help those people find and receive the many treatment options that are available today.
strategies that mask the disorder. Having one or two of the symptoms does not necessarily indicate that a person has autism; however, an adult with more than several may want to seek out professional advice. Inability to form or sustain close relationships Difficulty interpreting facial expressions, gestures or other nonverbal communications Becoming anxious over minor changes in routine or environment Obsession with a particular subject or object Verbal communication difficulties Compulsively following a rigid schedule and becoming upset with changes or interruptions Feelings of anxiety or apprehension when meeting new people or entering unfamiliar places or situations Unusual abilities in a certain subject, such as mathematics, music or memorization
Providing empirically proven programs and services to individuals with autism and their families since 1999.
Lower School (ages 2-6) Upper School (ages 6-16) Life Skills & Employment Center (ages 16-22) Self-Management Intensive Intervention After School Program Summer Program (register by April 27!) Educational and Behavioral Assessments
The Faison School for Autism, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-prot organization and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin or gender.
www.rrsi.org
austism apps
www.NorthstarAcademy.net
K-12 Day School for Students with Disabilities
Open Enrollment for Academic Year Summer Programs Offered Whole Student Focus Academic, Physical & Social VAISEF Accredited Teacher-to-Student Ratio 1:8 Specialty Programs Transition & Social Skills Extracurricular Activities Sports, Dances, Clubs & More
Northstar Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, disability, religion or national origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs and athletic or other agency administered programs.
2617919-01
Northstar Academy
Connecting supporters to this important cause, the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon has become the standard symbol associated with the disease. The puzzle pattern reflects the enigmatic nature of autism as well as the complexity of the autistic spectrum. Since a predominant characteristic of
Stop by for a visit today! Call (804) 747-1003 Northstar Academy 8055 Shrader Road Richmond, VA 23294
A structured, integrated, recreational camp experience for campers with autism Ages 5-12 July 30 August 3 August 6 10
(must be enrolled in high school)
Variety of activities including swimming, arts & craft and games Our campers are supervised by trained staff Teen volunteers round out the camp population
Ages 13+
August 13 17
Contact Melissa Bunce, Weinstein JCC special Needs Director at 545-8658 or mbunce@weinsteinjcc.org
www.weinsteinjcc.org
2617524-01
800.368.3472 cumberlandhospital.com
and making the childs seat a distractionfree, well-organized area. Teachers should make sure the other students are aware of the autistic childs special needs and that teasing will not be tolerated. Enforcing rules like taking turns and sharing can help integrate autistic children into the regular classroom a good start toward building social skills.
METRO CREATIVE
Our son is not the same little boy after participating in Special Olympics. He is stronger, steadier, and more independent. As parents, we are humbled by your gift.
www.specialolympicsva.org
The Virginia Institute of Autism (VIA) is a non-profit organization providing a year-round day school for children ages 2 to 22 and educational resources for families, educators and other professionals seeking evidence-based services, training or information about autism.
2617700-01
2617986-01
ONLINERESOURCES
ani.ac asacv.org autism.com autism-society.org autismtoday.com autismspeaks.org autismsciencefoundation.org autismresearchinstitute.com asatonline.org
6818 W. Grace Street Richmond,VA 23226 Phone: 804-355-1011 Email: dominionschoolforautism@yahoo.com www.dominionschoolforautism.org
2615661-01
2607144-01