·       What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder that manifests in early childhood and is characterized by impairments in social communication and social interaction, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

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·       How many people are affected by Autism globally?

In 2010, there were approximate, 52 million cases of ASDs, which equates to about a prevalence of 7.6 per 1000 people or one in 132 persons. Autism Spectrum. According to the World Health Organisation, about one in 100 children has autism. Read more: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/abs/epidemiology-and-global-burden-of-autism-spectrum-disorders/1F9C6FD6968D8B09231F2C35E70A46E8 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders

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·       How do I refer to a person with Autism? Autistic vs. Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the currently preferred term to use when describing this group of disorders because it reflects the different degrees of severity with which individuals can be affected.

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·       What does Autism look like?

Autism occurs in a spectrum and different individuals have different comorbidities or symptoms. This Disorders can range from Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Epilepsy, Sleep issues, and so on. Learn more about these conditions here: https://www.autismspeaks.org/medical-conditions-associated-autism

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·       Can early screenings and intervention improve Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder can result in significant impairments in functioning and reduced quality of life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. Early prognosis improves can improve long-term outcomes for children with Autism. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R) is a widely accepted tool for screening children in this age range for Autism. The results will aid parents in determining if there is a need for their child to get further evaluated.

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·       What does it mean when people with Autism are referred to as Neurodivergent?

People with Autism are Neurodivergent. This is not a bad thing when we think differently. It just means that they think differently from the way the majority of ‘neurotypical’ norms of what is expected in society. Watch this video by Alexander Amelines where he shares neurodivergent thinking and how amazing things can happen when we understand and accept neurodiversity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbwRrVw-CRo

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·       What does it mean when people with Autism are referred to as Neurodivergent?

This is likely due to a number of factors, including a lack of trained providers, long waitlists for services, and high costs. Telehealth combined with parent training programs is emerging as a potential intervention method to address some of these barriers to supporting children with Autism and their families. Read more here about how telehealth services is changing this: https://doi.org/10.1080/20469047.2017.1315914 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7819544/

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·       Can Autism be cured?

Autism spectrum disorder is not degenerative and cannot be cured. Individuals with ASD can continuously improve. They are most likely to improve with specialized, individualized services and opportunities for supported inclusion.

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·       What is the lifetime cost of treating Autism?

Did you know that the lifetime cost of treating a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder is approximated at $2 million dollars per person? There are several different types of interventions that have been shown to be effective in treating ASD, including behavior therapy, parent training, and pharmacotherapy, However, one of the biggest challenges facing families in accessing these services. Read more about this challenge many families face here: https://time.com/2849264/the-lifetime-cost-of-autism-tops-2-million-per-person/