World Autism Awareness Day April 2
This this Saturday April the 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day, to show your support Go Blue for Autism to help raise awareness and funds to support people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.
goblueforautism.com.au website is a great resource to check out to see other ways you can support Autism awareness. Below is a brief explanation about 'What is Autism?' from Go Blue for Autism:
What is Autism?
Every person with Autism Spectrum Disorder is different to another and has their own way of seeing the world, which makes them interesting and unique.
When someone has ASD, it means that their brains are wired differently to other people. However, the symptoms of ASD vary enormously from person to person.
People with ASD find it difficult to interact socially and communicate with others. As they often have difficulty understanding what other people are feeling and what interests others, they might say the wrong thing. They might talk for a long time about a topic they really like, as they are unaware that the topic is of no interest to others. They may not use gestures and body language in the way that other people do. For example, they may not use eye contact and may not smile. However, their ability to communicate can vary tremendously, with some people with ASD having no or limited speech, and others having extensive vocabularies. Although people with ASD can find it difficult to talk to people and make friends, they still have the same emotions as anybody else and love to have friends, even if it’s hard.
People with ASD also like things to happen the same way. They might take the same route to school or the shops, or line up their toys in a particular order. If something is out of place or if routines change without warning, they can get upset or worried. They may also be bothered by sudden loud sounds, bright lights or unexpected touch that do not bother others. They may become upset if someone hugs them or talks too quickly or loudly.
They often have intense interests in particular topics and may be extremely knowledgeable about their special interest areas. They can also have an amazing memory for detail.
ASD now affects approximately 1 in 100 children
Show your support and Go Blue for Autism!
My son while he doesn’t have ASD he has SPD, reading the above he checks many of those boxes- getting a diagnosis was hard when he was at kindergarten which is where it was first was notice. He receives extra help at school; K is a very bright but sensitive child- loud sound, small spaces and changes to routine can leave him feeling anxious.
We had issues with bullying when he first started school due to his speech delay, this also caused issues with making friends. Now that hes older he has a great group of friends but still needs to work on understanding that they may not want to do what he wants to do or talk about the topic he wants to discuss which he will waffle on about even if no one is listening.
I love him to bits and wouldn't change him for the world- well maybe make him talk less about gaming. :p
I would now like to share with you some educational resources about ASD, which can be downloaded straight to your apple devices:
UNDERSTANDING AUTISM
For parents
Understanding Autism: The Essential Guide for Parents, Professor Katrina Williams (iBook)
The essential reference for parents and carers of children with autism, written by two leading experts in the field, and covering everything from the causes of autism to how it manifests at the various ages and stages of a child’s life, to diet and nutrition, the importance of self-care for parents, how to cope with common behaviours, conditions that can often appear in conjunction with autism (such as anxiety and depression), and how best to manage the transition to adulthood.
ASDetect, La Trobe University (app)
ASDetect empowers parents and caregivers to assess the social attention and communication behaviours of their children younger than 2½ years.
For Primary & Secondary students
This iTunes U course helps students learn about emotional regulation by exploring the popular Pixar movie, 'Inside Out'.
For Tertiary students
Living with Autism, La Trobe University (podcasts on iTunes U)
How do autism spectrum disorders affect our lives, and what are the developments in diagnosis, treatment and causes? Podcasts from The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) at La Trobe University.
For lifelong learners
Special Education, The App Store (App collection)
Thanks to the ingenuity of talented developers, the App Store is filled with educational tools designed for people with special needs. Because every learner is unique, we’ve handpicked valuable apps that span a wide range of subjects - from language development to life skills and more.
The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida (audiobook) The No. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. Written by a thirteen year old boy, this remarkable book provides a rare insight into the behaviour of autistic children. Translated from the original Japanese to help others dealing with autism and generally illuminate a little understood condition. It gives us an exceptional chance to enter the mind of another and see the world from a strange and fascinating perspective.
Aspect Practice Conversations, by Autism Spectrum Australia (podcast)
Interviews a range of experts in the field of autism, with a particular focus on education and building supportive communities
Choiceworks, by Bee Visual (app)
The Choiceworks app is an essential learning tool for helping children complete daily routines, understand & control their feelings and improve their waiting skills. Created with the support of leading hospitals and child development specialists, this app is designed for caregivers to provide clear and consistent support to foster a child’s independence, positive behavior, and emotional regulation at home and in the community. It can also be customised for teachers in a school setting.
Feel free to share your ASD story below in the comments