Autism Acceptance

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    Autism 

    (CLICK THE PICTURE)

    April is Autism Acceptance Month, and to create more awareness about it, OUSD takes pride in setting up a resource page about this condition.

     Autism Acceptance Toolkit (Click DOWNLOAD)

    Autism Society of America

    Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin

    New Grant Opportunity: Enhancing Social and Emotional Skills in Students with IEPs (ES3)

    What Is Autism?

    There is no one type of autism, but many.

    To speak to an I&R Specialist directly, call 800-3-AUTISM (800-328-8476).

    We also encourage you to contact the Autism Society affiliate in your area, as our affiliates are often the most knowledgeable about local services.

    To find an affiliate in your area, click here.

     

    Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today.

    We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.

    Several factors may influence the development of autism. It is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures, or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and attention issues.

    Indicators of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, they can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism.

     

    In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association merged four distinct autism diagnoses into one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They included autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome

     
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