April is National Autism Awareness Month.
While most April months are spent sharing treatment resources and educational studies surrounding Autism, we recognize that Covid 19 has made this year’s Autism Awareness Month extremely unusual. With this realization, we decided to provide a “wrap-up” for this year’s Autism Awareness Month with something unique. To conclude April on a positive note, we have searched far and wide for the most intriguing studies, mind-bending advancements and technological breakthroughs, and the most inspiring, feel-good stories that we could find in order to create the ultimate top 10 list for everything surrounding Autism.
It is our hope that these trends, stories, and insights might bring a positive bend to Autism Awareness, and some much-needed levity in these times of uncertainty. Without further ado, here are our top 10 stories for Autism Awareness in 2020.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a range of conditions characterised by some degree of impaired social behaviour, communication and language, and a narrow range of interests and activities that are both unique to the individual and carried out repetitively.
Key facts
- One in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)(1).
- ASDs begin in childhood and tend to persist into adolescence and adulthood.
- While some people with ASD can live independently, others have severe disabilities and require life-long care and support.
- Evidence-based psychosocial interventions, such as behavioural treatment and parent skills training programmes, can reduce difficulties in communication and social behaviour, with a positive impact on well-being and quality of life for persons with ASD and their caregivers.
- Interventions for people with ASD need to be accompanied by broader actions for making physical, social and attitudinal environments more accessible, inclusive and supportive.
- Worldwide, people with ASD are often subject to stigma, discrimination and human rights violations. Globally, access to services and support for people with ASD is inadequate.
