~Do You Know Anyone Who's Autistic?~

Chances are you don't.

April is Autism Awareness Month.

What is autism?

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication and by restricted and repetitive behavior. 🤓

Our body is controlled by the nervous system, made up of neurons. Neurons have 'gaps' called synapses between them which allow the transmission of electric or chemical signals from one cell to another.

Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize. However the way this occurs has not yet been explained. 😕

The prevalence of autism is 1-2 per 1000 people worldwide.

However in the prevalence among children in the United States are 9 per 1000 children-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 😲

No cure is known.

Symptoms

• No babbling by 12 months
• No gesturing(bye bye, etc.) by 12 months
• No single words by 16 months
• No 2 word spontaneous phrases by 24 months
• Any loss of language or social skills at any age
• Ritualistic behavior-insisting on a particular menu or choice of clothes
• Self-injury
• Compulsive behavior
• Stereotypy-head rolling, hands flapping
• Restricted behavior: Attention span limited only to certain objects or forms of entertainment.

However

Though most autistic children lack social support, meaningful relationships, future employment opportunities or self-determination autism therapies are available to lessen the deficits and family distress caused by such developmental disorders. 😊

Common Misconceptions about Autism

It is not contagious. Please do not discourage your children/relatives from interacting with autistic kids.😊

Autistic children are not 'possessed' by the devil, and they do not need to be 'exorcised'.🤔

Autism in Media

Daniel Connelly from P.S. I Love You

Legion from X-Men

Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds

Antara from Aapki Antara

What can I do to Help?

Try visiting these sites 😊

http://www.autism-society.org

http://globalautismproject.org

Thanks for the post InB! I know you were super pumped up to do this one - just so you know, you did a great job not going over-the-top-verbose and still pushing across vital details!

=)
nj

awesome post dear ....indeed its a excellent information , society needs to be aware of this ailment

Yes I do know someone whose Autistic and also the fact that April is the month of Autism Awareness....and I'm really glad you took the pains and posted the information on this site...people hardly have time to go through this stuff and some even ignore...

Good to see someone is taking the initiative...and I so wanted to support the certain organizations in my city...but sadly studies and hectic schedule leaves no time...but at least something like this is worth it !

Take care.

I have a cousin who is autistic his name is Hassan he's 12 years old but he can speak well and yh I kinda know about this month....*sigh* It's really heart warming to see people out there who help out especially my school/college they take care of him a lot. Great topic!

Very informative post 👍🏼
I've heard about it, but have not seen/met any autistic kids.

Thanks for taking your time out to make such an informative post. Would love to spray abt it around my networking!!

I've volunteered in many NGO's and such schools ... I've known and have interacted with many such kids !!! They are no way disabled ... they are specially abled !!! All they need is love and attention ... a little more than others .... just a feeling that they are wanted makes them special !!! A small thing that makes them smile .... it might seem a smile for us but they're so delicate that it's a huge joy for them !!!

I'd tell everyone .... spend sometime with them ... teach them,interact with them ... not only will you have a feeling that you helped such kids.... but you'll get to learn lots from them too !!! They've taught me patience,dedication and purity in love !!! They are indeed precious gems !!! As they say " Taare Zameen Par"

thanks for informing about autism

Very well written IndigoBlues. 👍🏼 I do not know anybody who has autism but I'm aware of it. It's so good to see a topic about it on IF.
Thanks.