– The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that is caused by differences in how the brain functions. People with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in different ways. Recent estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network found that about 1 in 68 children have been identified with ASD in communities across the United States. CDC is committed to providing essential data on […]
BY JESS BLOCK NERREN, MA Creating authentic autism awareness, acceptance and action in every corner of a Southern California Community. Boyd Houser isn’t just any adorable six-year-old kid who loves to write with chalk, build snowmen and give hugs to his family. He is a little guy who will grow up in a world where inclusion isn’t just a word but also a way of life. Boyd inspired his dad, Larry Houser, to found the […]
By Deanna Picon, founder of Your Autism Coach, LLC (http://yourautismcoach.com) and author of The Autism Parents’ Guide to Reclaiming Your Life has declared Saturday, April 11 as a day for family members and friends to support the parents of children with autism. Apply these simple tips to make a difference in the lives of special needs parents: • Give a well-deserved break.Managing all aspects of a child’s daily living, including personal needs, school activities, therapy […]
BY ERNST VANBERGEIJK, PH.D., M.S.W. Without specific job training, individuals on the autism spectrum face rather bleak employment prospects. At best, the employment rate is 45 percent for this population. Anecdotal reports find that only about 10 percent of individuals on the autism spectrum find employment. Often, employment is part-time, minimum wage work which does not afford the individual a living wage. Entitlement programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance limit the amount of money […]
BY LAUREN LICHTEN GENETIC ALLIANCE BY LAUREN LICHTEN, MS CGC Although it is a routine recommendation to offer genetic testing to all children who have a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the thought of genetic testing can be unsettling to many parents. It also can be very difficult for families and doctors to obtain clear and accurate information about genetic testing for ASDs in an age where our knowledge of genetics is growing […]
