The rise of Autism:

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 1 out of every 36 children has autism. The significant increase from 2021 estimate 1 in 44 children jumped from 1 in 110 children in 2006. Many may ask, why is there is a big increase in the autism diagnosis? The truth is that no one truly knows the reason. There are many factors that could be contributed to this very question. The list can range from environmental, biological to genetic factors. Everyone’s environmental, biological and genetic factors are different from one another. One thing to consider is that more people are becoming aware of what Autism means. With more research done on this diagnosis plus with the help of the internet, social media and more, people are recognizing signs earlier.

Raising a child with Autism today:

We have come a long way since Autism was first used for a diagnosis in the 1940s. With more education that is accessible today, more parents are able to recognize signs sooner. The benefit of raising children with Autism today is that there many resources than we have ever had before. 

Resources Today: 

Autism support Groups – These groups may not be accessible to everyone as it may depend on where you live. I have had the privilege of going to a support group for mothers with children with Autism. I was able to connect with other mothers who would share stories about their children living with Autism. Going to these weekly meetings made me feel that I was not alone. I was also able to learn some tips when it came to potty training and eating as my son had food aversions. Autismspeaks.org is a national recognized organization that offers resources for those living with Autism. Autismspeaks does have resources on online support groups for Autism. 

Autism Walks – This is another great resource. Several times a year across the nation there are countless Autism walks. Autism walks is a way to raise money for Autism research. People will form groups and will walk to raise awareness surrounding Autism. I have had the honor forming a group to raise money. My group was called “Sebastian’s Voice” which raised a little over a 1000 dollars for Autism research. Many of the walking events often have local resources and another way to connect with other parents. 

Speech Therapy – Speech therapy is commonly used in treatment for Autism. As children with Autism often have limited vocabulary, or they are non-verbal. However; they may learn new words just like their neurotypical counterpart. There are thousands of speech therapist across the nation. Also, there is a great resource called Expressable which is a online site that has speech therapist to conduct 1-on-1 sessions with children and adults with Autism. 

Applied Behavioral Analysis – Another great resource is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).  It is a type of therapy that helps kids with Autism learn skills and lessen problematic behaviors like hurting self or others. There are several different forms of ABA. All are based on the idea that reinforcing certain behaviors will lead kids to repeat those behaviors. 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, we have a long way to go when it comes to understanding Autism. We have learned so much in the last 50 years from what works and doesn’t when it comes to treatment. One thing that is commonly understood is to start treatment as soon as possible. It is important to start treatment early as it can improve the child’s overall development, help them develop healthy coping skills and strategies, and have long-term benefits that extend into adulthood. With that said, understanding the resources that are available is most beneficial. 

Resources:

Autismspeaks.org – National Website that shares resources for those living with Autism.

Expressable.com – Website where speech therapist can provide 1-on-1 speech therapy.

SparkforAutism.org- This is a online site that is centered around research for Autism. You can sign up and be apart of the research study.

Autismsociety.org – This is a organization that is nationally recognized that connects people with resources through education, advocacy, support, information, and referral and community programming. 

Question: Mom: What has been a helpful resource or treatment method for your child?