Citizant’s Post

🌟 Let's Shine a Light on Autism Awareness! 🌟 April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the unique strengths and talents of individuals on the autism spectrum and promote understanding and acceptance. Did you know that approximately 1 in 100 children worldwide is diagnosed with autism? It's time to spread awareness and foster inclusivity! 🔍 Key Facts: - Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), encompasses a diverse range of conditions affecting brain development. - Characteristics may be detected in early childhood, but diagnosis often occurs later. - Each individual with autism has unique abilities and needs, ranging from independence to requiring lifelong support. 🤝 How Can You Help? - Educate yourself and others about autism to dispel myths and stereotypes. - Foster inclusive environments that accommodate the diverse needs of individuals with autism. - Advocate for policies and initiatives that promote equality and access to support services. 📚 References: For more information on autism spectrum disorders and how you can make a difference, check out resources from reputable organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO): [WHO Autism Spectrum Disorders Response] (https://lnkd.in/gZpTgYzv) Together, let's raise awareness, promote understanding, and create a world where every individual, regardless of neurodiversity, is valued and included! 💙🧩 #AutismAwareness #Inclusion #Acceptance #LinkedInCommunity

Today is WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY So what is Autism : Also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder ̶ constitutes a diverse group of conditions related to development of the brain. About 1 in 100 children has autism. Characteristics may be detected in early childhood, but autism is often not diagnosed until much later. The abilities & needs of autistic people vary and can evolve over time. While some people with autism can live independently, others have severe disabilities and require life-long care and support. Evidence-based psychosocial interventions can improve communication and social skills, with a positive impact on the well-being and quality of life of both autistic people and their caregivers. Care for people with autism needs to be accompanied by actions at community and societal levels for greater accessibility, inclusivity and support.It is important that, once autism has been diagnosed, children, adolescents and adults with autism and their carers are offered relevant information, services, referrals, and practical support, in accordance with their individual and evolving needs and preferences. Available scientific evidence suggests that there are probably many factors that make a child more likely to have autism, including environmental and genetic factors. SOURCE : World Health Organization (WHO)

During Autism Awareness Day, we champion the unique contributions of those on the autism spectrum. We're committed to ensuring respect and opportunity for all, fostering a supportive workplace.    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment disorder!    Typically, autism is diagnosed around age 5 in the U.S., with signs appearing by age 2 or 3. However, in some cases it takes years to be diagnosed.    Current diagnostic guidelines break down three levels of autism based on the amount of support a person might need: level 1, level 2, and level 3    Autism looks different for everyone, and each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. All autism cases will give signs, and they most likely differ from one another.    If you suspect that your child or family member has autism, look for help from healthcare professionals. Educating yourself about ASD can enhance your ability to support and connect with them effectively.    In case your child does have autism, talk to the teacher, principals, and parents so that other students can learn more about their friend and co-life with them in a better light.    Our goal with this post is to cultivate a broader understanding of autism within our community. We do this with a good intent in our hearts, so be aware of social media and fake information online! Talk to a professional in the area who can guide you properly.    Join us in celebrating and supporting diversity. Together, we are making the world work with a workspace where everyone is valued. 

April 2 was World Autism Day. World Autism Day is a time to recognize and celebrate the unique individuals who fall on the autism spectrum. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a complex neurological condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interactions. While each person with autism is different and experiences the world in their own way, some common characteristics include difficulty with social communication and interaction, repetitive behaviors, and intense interests. It's crucial to understand that autism is not a disease that needs to be cured, but rather a different way of experiencing the world. People with autism often have exceptional abilities and strengths, such as keen attention to detail, remarkable memory skills, and unique perspectives on various subjects. They can contribute immensely to society with their diverse talents and perspectives if given the right support and opportunities. On World Autism Day, we celebrate the beauty of neurodiversity and promote acceptance, inclusion, and understanding of individuals with autism. It's essential to create a more inclusive society where people with autism can thrive and feel valued for who they are. By raising awareness, fostering empathy, and promoting acceptance, we can create a world where individuals with autism are embraced for their uniqueness and empowered to reach their full potential. Let us all pledge to create a more inclusive world where every individual, regardless of their neurological differences, is accepted, respected, and appreciated for the unique gifts they bring. Together, we can work towards a more compassionate and understanding society where everyone has the opportunity to shine brightly. I came across this video by Guaranty Trust and I decided to do a Voiceover for it.

As Autism Awareness Month comes to and end, let's recap how far we've come in the last several decades and highlight some important facts: Autism was first recognized as a distinct developmental disorder in the 1940s and now, according to the CDC and their data from 2020, 1 in 36 children has been diagnosed with ASD, and in CA it is 1 in 22. Autism has always been more prevalent in boys, in fact, according to the CDC, "among 8-year-old children, boys were nearly 4 times as likely as girls to be identified with ASD. However, 2020 marked the first time the ADDM Network found the percentage of girls identified with ASD to be over 1%." Autism is NOT an intellectual disability, it is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain, people with autism have neurological differences from those that are neurotypical. Although autism is not an intellectual disability, 2 out of 3 people with autism do have an intellectual disability. We have definitely come a long way in the realm of ASD but there is still a long way to go. It is an amazing thing to go to somewhere and see designated sensory areas, or see shows that highlight people with Autism, and people just being more willing to talk about it. There is still a lot of research to be done as there are still many unknowns, but making spaces more accessible and being more compassionate will help us continue to progress as a society. Happy Autism Awareness Month!

So today is World Autism Acceptance / Awareness Day. Years ago, I wrote a blog post about how you can always tell when a group of people is in trouble because they need their own 'day'. Sadly this is true for many autistic people across the country. For anyone who doesn't know, Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences around social communication, flexible thinking and change, and often specialist areas of interest. It is classified as a medical condition, meaning that only specific professionals are qualified to diagnose and that it is identified via a medical model. This means that from a diagnostic perspective it is considered a pathology, outside of the "normal" and diagnosed via consideration of deficits. The #actuallyautistic community are encouraging us to move away from this towards a social model of disability. This emphasises the disabling factors within an environment rather than seeing disability as an individual's deficit. This is reflected in the shift from "autism awareness", reminsicent of campaigns to encourage us to check for lumps or avoid drink driving, towards autism acceptance. A lack of acceptance and understanding is cited as a key factor in why autistic people, including children, are so much more vulnerable to mental illness, school avoidance and exclusion. Hard to come by and yet acceptance is so much simpler than some would have you believe. At my current school, one of the driving principles is Unconditional Positive Regard. If everyone adopted this as a default, life for autistic pupils would be a lot easier. What does that look like in practice? Changing our neurotypical assumptions in favour of a more constructive and child centred approach. If a student avoids your lesson, don't assume defiance. Assume anxiety; approach with compassion. How does that change your response? If a child doesn't express themselves appropriately or is blunt about their feelings, don't assume it is a personal attack. Assume social communication difficulties; approach with curiosity. How does that change the outcome? If a child refuses to do the work, don't assume it is unfounded refusal or laziness. Assume they don't understand the task; approach with clarity. How does that change the learning environment? The most powerful thing you can do for autistic young people in your classroom is to make an effort to understand and then believe their lived experience. The classroom seems quiet to you? If they say it is noisy to them, accept that. The incident they had with a bully 5 years ago should be long forgotten? If it is still alive within them, accept that. Meet the child where they are and step inside their experience of school. Accepting that the experience of every child is valid and subjectively true will change your practice forever. Give it a go. You might just make the world a better place. Graphic from neurodivergentinsights.com

April is Autism Acceptance Month! Autism Awareness month first started in April 1970. In 2007, the United Nations adopted World Autism Awareness Day as April 2nd. In 2011, the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) designated April as Autism Acceptance month. The change from “awareness” to “acceptance” is meant to destigmatize the condition, accepting that autism is a natural part of the human experience. The inclusive language promotes education, acceptance, and respect for the autistic community. Autistic individuals are not a monolith, and everyone has their own preference for terminology they prefer to use and what is empowering to them. However, many autistic individuals support the shift from “awareness” to “acceptance.” Awareness is knowing that autistic individuals exist, and acceptance is about embracing them as they are. Symbolism The puzzle piece was originally introduced in 1963 to represent autism as a “puzzling” condition. Due to the negative connotation, most of the autism community has moved away from the puzzle piece instead choosing the infinity symbol as representation. The gold infinity symbol represents autism acceptance, and the rainbow infinity symbol represents neurodiversity. This evolution in representation highlights the changing attitudes towards autism and a positive shift toward inclusivity. To Learn More Visit https://lnkd.in/eWdNzuhy Autistic Advocacy Organizations to Follow Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Autistic Inclusive Meets (AIM), Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network (AWN), Autistics for Autistics (A4A), Association for Autistic Community, and Autistics Against Curing Autism.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. On this day, efforts are made to help people worldwide understand and raise awareness about autism.   Autism is characterized by difficulties in communicating with others and is accompanied by delays in language and intellectual development. Among developmental disorders, “autism,” “high-functioning autism,” and “Asperger's syndrome,” which are characterized by obsessiveness and difficulties in communication skills, are collectively referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, no intellectual developmental delays are seen except in “autism.” While the prevalence varies between studies, an estimated 1 in 160 people has ASD.   It is important to take this opportunity to increase our understanding of people with autism and to promote global support. This is because misconceptions about autism persist, and some people face exclusion because of their autism. Understanding autism also involves protecting people’s rights (human rights), as individuals with autism are often subjected to bullying, especially during childhood. Therefore, we must build a world where people with autism are fully supported and defended.   For example, it is a mistake to perceive a person with autism as “always withdrawn” or the result of “bad parenting.” Autism, which manifests during the first three years of life, is a lifelong developmental disorder resulting from a neurological disorder that affects brain function. If you know that people with autism have difficulty conversing, you can help them understand by using specific, short expressions when speaking.   Even in TV dramas, people with ASD are portrayed in a variety of professions such as doctors, lawyers, and documenters. Although fictional, seeing and knowing about the difficulties they face and their efforts to overcome them can also provide an opportunity to understand autism.   Reference： https://lnkd.in/eg5HcX9 https://lnkd.in/gJ2teRx https://lnkd.in/guB-z9XC   #WorldAutismAwarenessDay #WAAD　#Autism

April 1st marks the beginning of Autism Awareness Month. There are many ways to participate, and wearing blue is one of them. It's as easy as putting on a blue shirt or an accessory to show support. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the US, with the numbers continuing to rise, according to the latest data. Based on statistics from the CDC for the period 2000-2018, one in 36 children have been diagnosed with autism. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? Read about it in the article below. https://lnkd.in/gUJR_zSJ

Every year, on April 2 World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated to empower and help autistic people lead a normal life. Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder affects the development of the brain. It is a complicated, lifelong condition that affects behavior, communication skills, interaction skills, and learning ability. Some people with autism might require assistance for every single task while others can work and live with no or very little support. World Autism Awareness Day aims to spread awareness about autism as a disorder. This day also recognizes and celebrates the rights of persons with autism According to the World Health Organization, one in 100 children has autism. Right care for people with autistic needs can make a difference and simplify their lives. On World Autism Awareness Day 2024, Here are some tips for parents and caregivers to support an autistic child with day-to-day life. •Give your child some extra time to process and understand what you've said •Use hand gestures, pictures, symbols, and eye contact to support what you are saying •Set up an environment that is comfortable for an autistic child •Take note of his/her interests and the things that he/she is motivated by •Autistic children respond well to positive reinforcement, therefore, you must praise them even after a small accomplishment •Find enjoyable activities that may help your child open up and connect with you •Engage him/her in routine activities like cooking, shopping, and cleaning. More about autism: •Autism has no single cause. •Genes and some environmental factors play a role in triggering autism spectrum disorder. •Boys are more likely to develop autism than girls. •Family history can also increase the risk. •There is no way to prevent autism. However, it can be managed and treated well. •Early diagnosis can help improve behavior skills and support language development.