Disease Awareness #1 - Autism

April is Autism Awareness Month.  I started this last night, but I could not finish it. I was researching Autism, but it was ending up turning into helping out a friend, who needing help instead.  She has a child with Autism, too.  I was looking for resources in our community for us both, but I was looking for phone numbers so email them to her.

There are tool kits on this page: HERE.  I did download the 100 Day Kit, but I am thinking of one or two other ones for Ashleigh.  

What is Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

With the May 2013 publication of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual, all autism disorders were merged into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. Previously, they were recognized as distinct subtypes, including autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. 

 An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States.

ASD affects over 2 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. 

{Information is from HERE}

I found out about the DSM5 putting all the autism diagnosis under one label.  Ashleigh was diagnosed in March with PPD-NOS.  I am not sure what this means for her, but she still has an autism diagnosis.

Symptoms of Autism:
1. Social skills

-Fails to respond to his or her name
-Has poor eye contact
-Appears not to hear you at times
-Resists cuddling and holding
-Appears unaware of others' feelings
-Seems to prefer playing alone — retreats into his or her own world
-Doesn't ask for help or request things
2. Language
-Doesn't speak or has delayed speech
-Loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences
-Doesn't make eye contact when making requests
-Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm — may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech
-Can't start a conversation or keep one going
-May repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn't understand how to use them
-Doesn't appear to understand simple questions or directions
3. Behavior
-Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand-flapping
-Develops specific routines or rituals and becomes disturbed at the slightest change
-Moves constantly
-May be fascinated by details of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, but doesn't understand the "big picture" of the subject
-May be unusually sensitive to light, sound and touch, and yet oblivious to pain
-Does not engage in imitative or make-believe play
-May have odd food preferences, such as eating only a few foods, or craving items that are not food, such as chalk or dirt
-May perform activities that could cause self-harm, such as headbanging

{Information from HERE}

I need to do another post about which symptoms Ashleigh has since this is getting long.

This site has so much information.  I love this page, Going Out to Eat.  Like ta morning we went out for breakfast.  There was this big table of senior citizens talking.  I thought the noise from them would bug Ashleigh.  It did not, but it did Noah.  He wanted to read & he could not concentrate!  Ashleigh was fine except for Ethan's whiny. Ethan was very cranky because he wanted something to drink & eat.  We have not had any issues eating out, but you never know with strangers.  I have read that some people do not want to eat next to a Down Syndrome Child.  I do not know why.  I would be honor to.  

Favorite Autism Blogs:

1. Doing it For David

2. The New Normal
3. The Simile of Autism and Snowflake
4. Between Hope and a Hard Place

If you have any favorite Autism blogs, comment below with them.  I would love to see what blogs you are reading!

Thanks for reading!
Melissa