It’s Autism Awareness Month, Are You Aware?

April is Autism Awareness Month.

Are you aware of autism?

Do you see autism in your life regularly?

Did you know that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism?

Are you aware that boys are diagnosed almost five times more than girls?

Did you know that autism is characterized by difficulties with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors?  All to varying degrees.

Did you know most children with autism also have sensory processing disorder?

Are you aware that roughly half of children with autism will elope from a safe environment at some point?

Are you aware that 91% of deaths in children on the spectrum is from accidental drowning after eloping?

Are you aware that many children with autism don’t speak?  And many children with autism do speak?

Did you know some individuals with autism use an electronic device to communicate?

Are you aware that individuals with autism need routine in their lives?

Did you know that parents of children with special needs experience stress at a level similar to combat soldiers?

Are you aware that autism is often co-morbid with other health and emotional disorders?

Did you know that our country, as a whole, is seriously under prepared for all of the children turning into adults with autism?

Did you know in Maine that the waiting list for adult services are at best, 18 months long?

Did you know that individuals with autism can always progress?

And that they deserve assistance to do that, no matter their age?

Are you aware that ABA services for children are not covered by insurance after the age of 10?

Did you know that we have been on a waiting list for almost two years for specialized in-home support?

Are you aware that the lifetime cost to support an individual with autism is estimated to be $3.2 million?

Did you know that most services that individuals with autism need are not covered by insurance?

Did you know my son with autism has, hands down, the best smile in the world?

Are you aware that under all of those diagnoses, he’s just a child?

A child that deserves the very best and for people to believe in him and not give up on him?

A child that needs to be accepted and loved?

Are you aware of autism yet?

On top of awareness let’s also shoot for acceptance, advocating, and change.

 

Heather Nelson

About Heather Nelson

Heather resides in Rockland where she is busy juggling life as a newlywed, a mom to two boys (one of which who has autism), a part time job in direct sales, and a full-time job as a pediatric occupational therapy assistant. She has a love for live music, karaoke, and cheering on the underdogs.