This month, we are celebrating National Autism Awareness. Every year on April 2nd, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.

Autism recently re-identified through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by:                              

  • Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts;                                                                    
  • Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities;
  • Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (typically recognized in the first two years of life); and,
  • Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.

The term “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment or disability that children with ASD can have. Some children are mildly impaired by  their symptoms, while others are severely disabled.

As part of a well-child visit, your child’s doctor should perform a “developmental screening,” asking specific questions about your child’s progress. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) list five behaviors that warrant further evaluation:                                                                               

  • Does not babble or coo by 12 months
  • Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp) by 12 months                                   
  • Does not say single words by 16 months
  • Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months
  • Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age

Need Support?

Caring for a child with special needs can present itself with many challenges but there is help available for parents, caregivers and child care providers (licensed and legally exempt). If you are in need of support and knowledge, reach out to the community around you. The Autism Speaks organization has supported children and families for 10 years, and are available to answer your questions and provide information about screenings and medical and mental health resources.

Want to advocate and help raise awareness?                                                                                            

Walk for a Cause! Autism Speaks will be holding their ‘Walk Now for Autism Speaks’ events throughout the country and within the five boroughs. 

The walks will take place within the five boroughs on the following dates:

  • Queens/Manhattan:  April 26, 2015
  • Bronx: May 17, 2015
  • Brooklyn:  July 19, 2015
  • Staten Island: Oct. 25, 2015

For locations and times visit the Autism Speaks website at www.walknowforautismspeaks.org.

Voices from the field

We sat down with PDI’s own Ms. Margaret Ayala, MSW about her experiences and insights into working with parents, children and caregivers as it relates to the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Ms. Ayala has been working with children with special needs for over 10 years and comes with a wealth of knowledge.

Ms. Ayala explained that from her experience, children living with special needs (specifically ASD), have varying strengths and challenges. She reported that caregivers of autistic children have to quickly figure out what routines and conditions are best for the children.  Ms. Ayala stated that caregivers of children with special needs require on-going support and she reminds parents and caregivers to be patient and understanding – with their children and themselves.