National Autism Awareness Month

Another new month! This one marks National Autism Awareness Month! 

Autism is "a complex neurobiological condition that can affect the normal function of the gastrointestinal, immune, hepatic, endocrine and nervous systems. It impacts normal brain development leaving most individuals with communication problems, difficulty with typical social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour." There are multiple symptoms of Autism such as: 

Non-verbal reasoning skills

Reading skills

Perceptual motor skills

Drawing skills

Computer interest and skills

Exceptional memory

Visual Spatial abilities

Music skills

Autism can be detected as early as 12-24 months of age! However, there can be many difficulties in diagnosing a child with Autism, so it can often take much longer to determine.  

National Autism Awareness Month began in the United States in the 1970s. April 2nd is officially known as International Autism Awareness Day, and in Canada Autism Awareness Month is celebrated on October. There is much to learn about Autism, and recently there has been extensive research that has revealed more about the condition. But, as the purpose of this month-long theme suggests, it's important to become educated and aware off how Autism works. I would like to say we have moved forward in our understanding over the last few years and that the stigma associated with Autism is slowly starting to dissolve. However, there is still much to do. I hope you will all take some time to learn more about Autism this month. 

(Image found at: http://www.multiplesandmore.com/expert-interviews/autism-awareness-month-wrap-up/)