Overview:
Autism is not a medical condition, but rather a developmental disorder. Signs of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism.
Several factors may influence the development of autism, and it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues. such as: gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges, such as: anxiety, depression and attention issues.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior and causes social challenges. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but they may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less.
Facts:
- Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It means your brain works in a different way from other people.
- It's something you're born with or first appears when you're very young.
- If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life.
- Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure". But some people need support to help them with certain things.
- One in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Characteristics of ASD may be detected in early childhood, but autism is often not diagnosed until much later.
- Evidence-based psychosocial interventions can improve communication and social skills, with a positive impact on the well-being and quality of life of both autistic people and their caregivers.
Objectives:
- Put a spotlight on the hurdles that people with autism and others living with autism face every day.
- Plan the activities of the World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) every year to further increase and develop world knowledge of children and adults who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Celebrate the unique talents of those with autism, while putting a huge focus on the warm embrace and welcome that these skills deserve through community events around the globe.
Official Date:
- Globally: April 2nd, 2022.
- Locally: Ramadan 1st, 1443H.
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