www.visionforlifeworks.com
Autism Awareness
April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism. They also strive to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders and advocate for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Their Ad Council public service advertising campaign stresses the importance of recognizing the early signs of autism and seeking early intervention services.
The following are "red flags" that may indicate that a child is at risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder:
- Child exhibits no big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by 6 months or thereafter
- Child doesn't use back and forth sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by 9 months
- Child doesn't babble by 12 months
- Child isn't pointing, waving, showing or reaching by 12 months
- Child hasn't spoken any words by 16 months
- Child hasn't spoken meaningful, two-word phrases by 24 months
- Child experiences loss of speech, babbling, or social skills at any age
If a child displays any of these behaviors, don't delay in asking your pediatrician for an evaluation. According to Autism Speaks, studies show that "early intensive behavioral intervention improves learning, communication and social skills in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)".
Source: www.autismspeaks.org