Autism Awareness Month

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. It is called a spectrum disorder because it can vary widely in severity and presentation from person to person.

Some common characteristics of autism include:

1. Social challenges: Difficulty understanding and interpreting social cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. People with autism may struggle with making eye contact, initiating or maintaining conversations, and understanding the perspectives of others.
2. Communication difficulties: Delayed or impaired language development, difficulty with conversational skills, repetitive or rigid language patterns, and a preference for literal or concrete language rather than abstract concepts or figurative speech.
3. Repetitive behaviors: Engaging in repetitive movements or activities, such as hand-flapping, rocking, spinning objects, or repeating phrases or behaviors. These repetitive behaviors may serve as a way to self-soothe or cope with sensory overload.
4. Sensory sensitivities: Heightened or diminished sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as light, sound, touch, taste, or smell. People with autism may be overly sensitive to certain sensations or seek out sensory stimulation.
5. Special interests: Developing intense interests in specific topics or activities and displaying extensive knowledge or expertise in those areas.

The exact cause of autism is still not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is no single definitive test for autism; diagnosis is typically based on observation of behavior and developmental history by healthcare professionals.

It’s important to recognize that each person with autism is unique, with their own strengths and challenges. With appropriate support and interventions, individuals with autism can lead fulfilling lives and make valuable contributions to society.

School Spotlight

The Brennen School, also known as the Delaware Autism Program, is a public school program for students with an educational diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder within Delaware’s Christina School District. The program provides educational services to students diagnosed with autism between 2 and 22 years of age. The school serves over 450 students with autism in 19 school locations and has five administrators, over 70 special education teachers, 80 specialists, and 160 paraprofessionals. The foundational curricula at the Brennen School is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Functional Communication Training (FCT) which emphasizes evidence-based teaching strategies and direct teaching in the community and natural environments. Most importantly, The Brennen School is the ideal school to work at to make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities.

Helpful Websites

1. www.autismspeaks.org -One of the leading autism science and advocacy organizations. Autism Speaks provides a comprehensive resource guide for all states. The site also boasts an impressive list of apps that parents may find useful, including games that focus on communication and social skills.

2. www.autism-society.org -Another great site that includes helpful resources for those with autism,  family members, as well as professionals. Autism Society also gives updates on the latest autism news and press releases.

6. www.autismweb.com – Managed by parents, AutismWeb includes great insights on different autism teaching methods. The site also provides a forum where parents can go to share their stories, give updates on their children’s progress, and share recipes that may be useful for picky eaters.