What is World Autism Awareness Day?
April 2nd….sounds just like any other day, but did you know that it is internationally recognised as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD)? This special day is dedicated to spreading awareness about ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and helping everyone to understand what ASD is to create an inclusive and understanding society. On this special day, The United Nations encourages everyone to create initiatives to increase public awareness of autism. Communities come together dressed in BLUE to show support. In many countries, landmarks and buildings light up BLUE to celebrate and encourage individuals with autism.
Fun Facts-History of World Autism Awareness Day
Autism Awareness day was established by the UN in 2007. It was proposed by the UN representative from Qatar, Moza Bint Nasser and was supported by all member states. World Autism Awareness Day is one of only seven official health-specific UN days and is celebrated each year on April 2nd. This day is used to celebrate the achievements of individuals living with ASD as well as to promote research into the diagnosis, treatment and inclusion of ASD. Since 2012, there has been a theme for every World Autism Awareness Day, initiated by the UN:
2012– “Raising Awareness of Autism”; this marked the release of a special stamp for autism awareness.
2013– “Celebrating the ability within the disability of autism”; highlighted the amazing abilities of individuals with autism.
2014– “Opening doors to Inclusive Education”; focused on inclusive education for those with autism.
2015– “Employment: The Autism Advantage”; focused on the advantages and benefits of employing individuals with autism.
2016– “Autism and the 2030 Agenda: Inclusion and Neurodiversity”; celebrating inclusiveness and neurodiversity.
2017– “Toward Autonomy and Self- Determination”; focused on autonomy and self- determination for those living with autism.
2018– “Empowering Women and Girls with Autism” addressing the challenges faced by girls and women with autism.
2019– “Assistive Technologies, Active Participation”; Looking into the roles of assistive technologies to help enhance participation for those with autism.
2020– “The Transition to Adulthood”; addressing challenges faced by individuals with autism as they approach adulthood.
2021– “Inclusion in the Workplace”; focusing on inclusivity in the workplace for those with autism.
2022– “Inclusive Quality Education for all”; advocating for inclusive quality education to be accessible for everyone, including those with autism.
2023– “Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts and in policymaking”; focusing on the diverse contributions made by individuals with autism across different areas of life.
TOC’S Contribution to spread our love and support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
To show our support and encouragement for individuals living with ASD, here at TOC, we will be lighting up our premises BLUE on April 2nd, 2024. Everyone is encouraged to come dressed in their favourite blue attire to mark this important day.
We aim to provide helpful information about ASD, in this article, to reduce stigma and increase awareness. We will also provide some helpful tips to support your loved ones with ASD.
What is ASD?
ASD is short for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder and not a disease. This means that in individuals with autism, the brain works in a different way to other people. Everybody’s autism is different and is diagnosed over a spectrum, meaning some people need more support than others depending on the severity. Each person with ASD has their own distinct set of strengths and weaknesses. People of all races, ethnicities and cultures can be diagnosed with ASD.
Common challenges for people with ASD include:
– Difficulty communicating and interacting with other people
– Understanding how others think and feel
– Having restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours which may affect their ability to function in various areas of their lives such as school and work
– The way they learn, think and problem solve can range from severely challenged to gifted
– Some need help with daily living skills more than others
– Adapting to sensory stimuli like loud noises or bright lights may be stressful for individuals with ASD
– Anxiety can arise from unfamiliar situations specifically in social settings
What CAUSES ASD?
There is no known cause for autism. It is not caused by bad parenting, vaccines, diets or infections. Currently there is research suggesting that the risk of autism develops from a combination of genetic and environmental influences. However, it is important to note that increased risk does not mean cause. For example, some gene changes that are associated with ASD may also be found in people without ASD. Also, it doesn’t mean that any person exposed to the same environmental risk factor for autism will actually go on to develop autism.
How COMMON is ASD?
– 1 in 36 children has been diagnosed with ASD in the USA (Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, CDC, 2023)
– 1 In 45 adults in the US have autism (Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, CDC, 2023)
– In the U.S., about 4 in 100 boys and 1 in 100 girls have autism (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 2023
– Boys are nearly 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 2023
Here in Singapore, a KKH study revealed that 1 in 150 children have ASD, revealed in the Government’s third Enabling Masterplan in 2016.
Can ASD be “cured”?
According to Singapore General Hospital (2018), “There is no known cure for autism”. With appropriate education, support and guidance children and adults with ASD can develop their communication and social interaction skills to lead meaningful and productive lives. Medication may be necessary to help reduce self-injurious behaviour or associated conditions such as epilepsy. Alternative treatments including dietary, vitamin or herbal remedies, research has been shown to be ineffective.
How do I know if myself or a loved one has ASD?
Individuals with ASD have challenges with social communication, interaction and restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. Here is a guideline of some common types of behaviour challenges in individuals with ASD.
Social communication challenges may include:
– Making little or inconsistent eye contact when talking
– Non responsiveness or slow responsiveness when called
– May talk in an unusual tone of voice
– Challenges understanding the natural flow of conversation
– Find it hard to turn take during conversation; may tend to talk “at” the person
– Appearing not to be interested in other people who are talking to them
– Finding it difficult/ showing little care in sharing emotions, enjoyment or interests with other people
– Have challenges understanding other people’s perspective
– Portraying facial expressions, gestures or body language that do not match the person they engage with or the situation
– Having difficulties adjusting to social situations
– Having challenges initiating or maintaining friendships
– Finding it difficult to read social cues and body language
– Hard time navigating the social world
Restrictive/ stereotypical behaviours may include:
– Having unusual behaviours such as hand flapping, spinning in circles or repeating words (echolalia)
– Having obsessive interests for specific topics
– May become upset at changes in routines or transitions
– May be more sensitive than others to sensory input such as lights, sounds or temperature
Individuals with ASD often have challenging eating habits, difficulty sleeping and have challenges regulating their emotions.
It can be daunting to get a diagnosis, however, a diagnosis can help with understanding your child better and how to help them thrive. It can help individualise support both at school in the classroom and for exam support. A diagnosis can be helpful to get assistance when embarking on a college or university degree, and for adults, a diagnosis can help you make sense of yourself and why you see the world differently.
How can I support individuals with ASD?
Some tips to support your loved ones with autism include:
– Educate yourself about autism– Learn as much as possible about the condition. Understanding the strengths and challenges that are part and parcel of autism can help the way you manage and meet your loved ones needs.
– Communicate clearly and have patience– As many individuals with autism struggle to express themselves, and some are non-verbal it is so important to use simple words, clear gestures and visual aids to make communication easier. Allow enough time for your loved one to process information and respond to you.
– Be understanding– Sometimes, individuals with autism can come across as rude or disinterested. It is important to understand this is not intentional and they will need some help navigating this complex social world.
– Structure is key– Individuals with ASD thrive on structure and predictability. Creating visual schedules and clear routines can help them know what to expect and help them feel more in control of their environment.
– Use positive reinforcement– It is so important to use positive reinforcement as a powerful tool to encourage your loved ones to build their confidence and encourage them to try new things and embark on new challenges.
– Seek professional support– Caring for an individual with ASD can be difficult and asking for help is important. There are professionals who can help guide you through this journey and provide support on how to manage challenging behaviours. It is also important to take care of yourself and reach out for support as it can be emotionally draining.
To meet with a professional psychologist or counsellor, call The Other Clinic at 8809 0659 or email us hello@theotherclinic.sg.
References:
1. World Autism Awareness Day 2024
2. Study: 1 in 150 Children in Singapore Has Autism
4. Autism
American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th edn) (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, CDC, (2023). Prevalence and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 years- Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 sites, United States, 2020. Surveillance Summaries, 72 (2); pp. 1-14.
Chen, J.A., Peñagarikano, O., Belgard, T.G., Swarup, V., & Geschwind, D.H. (2015). The emerging picture of autism spectrum disorder: Genetics and pathology. Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease, 10, 111-144. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-pathol-012414-040405.
Hill, E.L., & Frith, U. (2003). Understanding autism: Insights from mind and brain. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences, 358(1430), 281-289. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2002.1209.