Autism Awareness Day 2012

John Wilde

I'm getting too old for this $#!%
Staff member
Joined
May 27, 2001
Dear Members,

Today is world Autism Awareness Day.
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/waad/about-world-autism-awareness-day

You may not know what it is, for I didn't before it touched my life.
My beloved son Joshua is in the Autistic Spectrum.
For those who don't know what it is there is a great explanation here:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-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. They include autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.

You may wonder why you should care and I would understand why you felt that way.However the alarming statistics are if you aren't' directly impacted by this you will know someone that is.
Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 88 American children as on the autism spectrum–a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Studies also show that autism is three to four times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States.

By way of comparison, this is more children than are affected by diabetes, AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or Down syndrome, combined.* ASD affects over 2 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Moreover, government autism statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years. There is no established explanation for this continuing increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered.

Thanks for taking a moment to read about Autism, if you want to share your experiences here on in private I would be glad to converse with you.
 
At the Sheriffs Department I work for, we are involved in the Project Lifesaver program. Through donations we purchase, install (bracelets) and maintain tracking devices for people who are Autistic and people who suffer from dementia. What is known is people with Autism and dementia like to wonder. If that happens we are trained to use tracking equipment to help locate the person. I have used the equipment before with great success.
One of the joys of being trained with this equipment is I get to maintain a little boys transmitter.
When I first met him he could not even speak, now he is speaking and can interact with me. It's pretty neat being able to watch him progress.
 
Thanks for sharing your experience.
It is very tough going to a big store or mall with our son.
There is so much stimuli, at first you don't know if he he is running towards something he likes or away from something that is bothering him.
 
John,
You know you have my full support. Joshua is awesome and God he has you and Sharon for parents. You two are wonderful.
 
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