Another A to Z Challenge! Participating this year will either push me over the edge or keep me sane as we are preparing to move.
A is for autism. Of course it is! April is Autism Awareness Month in the USA and April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day.
Frankly, I don’t know of anyone who isn’t aware of autism. I would like to change this to Autism Education Month. Do you know the difference between a tantrum and a “meltdown?” Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClvnCyP3DLU
All people with autism are geniuses! From what I read, 10% of the general population has genius I.Q.’s. In the autism community, it is thought that 20% do. Not exactly everyone but a significant number.
People with autism don’t like to be touched. This is true for some but, for others, like my precious granddaughter, it is not. She loves to be held and to show and receive affection.
Don’t vaccinate your child! I don’t agree with this. Work with your pediatrician when it comes to a vaccination schedule. It doesn’t have to be done all at once. Some can be left out. You can have your child’s blood tested before boosters to see if they even need them.
Most importantly, learn the signs of autism:
No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months
No babbling by 12 months
No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months
No words by 16 months
No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by 24 months
Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age
Bless you and, hopefully, will see you tomorrow. gail
New follower on your blog!
ReplyDeleteGood start off topic of something that many of us don't understand too much. I'm not sure whether I've encountered anyone who is autistic, but it's a term I don't guess I'd ever heard until the 90's or so. I certainly never heard the term when I was a kid in school back in the 1960's.
It's good that you are providing information for the A to Z Challenge.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
So many points of interest in your post. Glad you mentioned vaccines like you did, and also the signs of autism. Very informative and important information here. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Gail,
ReplyDeleteHere with my nails painted blue and supporting this, I know people with Autism and I know people who may or may not have aspects of it.
God Bless - Hugs Nita