This April we proudly commemorate National Autism Month! We celebrate the resilience of those with autism and applaud their unique talents! During this month we want to create better awareness, to inform and encourage communities to celebrate differences, and become more inclusive of individuals with autism. This year, the theme is ‘Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World.’
Autism Awareness Month, is a nationwide effort started by the Autism Society. 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. It is reported that approximately 1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and indicates that genetics are involved for the cause in the vast majority of cases. Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development including, improve learning, communication and social skills, as well as underlying cerebral development. Many children affected by autism also benefit from other interventions such as speech and occupational therapy. Research demonstrates that job activities that encourage independence reduce autism symptoms and increase daily living skills.
