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Autism Awareness Month

     By: Ameerah Merrin

Look me in the eyes when I’m talking to you? Why don’t you interact with your peers? Are you here? What is wrong with you? These are some of the questions that get thrown at those who may be on the Autism spectrum. In light of April being Autism Awareness Month, let me explain for those who don’t know what this is. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects a person’s behavior as well as their ability to communicate effectively with others. Autism can be diagnosed at any age, but it is said to be a “developmental disorder.” This would be because characteristics are usually displayed in the first two years of life.

So what are these characteristics we should look out for? According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association used to diagnose mental disorders, people with ASD have:

• “Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people. Inability to look people in the eyes when talking.
• Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.
• Symptoms that hurt the person’s ability to function properly in school, work, and other areas of life.”

Autism is considered a “spectrum” disorder because a person can be “high functioning” or for lack of a better word “low functioning” on the chart. Obviously, the higher functioning they are the more independent they are and more capable of “fitting in.”  There is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience. ASD occurs in all ethnic, racial, and economic groups. As an educator with a MA in teaching students with disabilities, I’ve worked with this unique population for a number of years. I tell you: they are not to be written off as unintelligent!!! In my opinion it’s actually the opposite. They are brilliant!!

There are many developmental programs which offer services to bring out the best in those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Here are a few:

• “Birth to Five: Watch Me Thrive!” promotes developmental and behavioral screening and support. It encourages early childhood experts – including those in early care and education, primary health care, early intervention, child welfare and mental health – to work together with children and their families. It also includes a summary of information on developmental and behavioral screening tools, “User Guides” for many audiences (e.g., teachers, pediatricians, parents, social workers, community leaders) that define screening and its importance, and an electronic toolkit that provides resources for each audience.
• The “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program aims to improve early identification of children with autism and other developmental disabilities so they can get the services they need. Many children with a developmental disability are not identified until after entering school – yet early intervention can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills. CDC’s program promotes awareness of healthy developmental milestones in early childhood, promotes early identification of signs of delay, and works with state and national partners to improve screening and referral to early intervention services.
• “Birch Family Services” empowers individuals with autism and developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. They support more than 2,000 individuals and their families each day throughout New York City.

Here are some famous people who were/are on the spectrum:

• Bill Gates – Co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation
• Temple Grandin – Animal Scientist
• Daryl Hannah – Actress & Environmental Activist
• Thomas Jefferson – Early American Politician
• Steve Jobs – Former CEO of Apple
• James Joyce – Author of “Ulysses”
• Alfred Kinsey – Sexologist & Biologist
• Stanley Kubrick – Film Director
• Michelangelo – Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Classical Composer
• Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician, Astronomer, & Physicist
• Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian
• Satoshi Tajiri – Creator of Nintendo’s Pokémon
• Nikola Tesla – Inventor
• Andy Warhol – Artist
• Ludwig Wittgenstein – Philosopher
• William Butler Yeats – Poet

Well, isn’t that something?! During this month (Autism Awareness Month), let’s raise our fist to those on the spectrum and continue to encourage them and their caregivers to be the best they can be!! They are that puzzle piece the world needs!