TORI BLOGS: Autism Awareness and April Reflections

Friday, April 26, 2024

The month of April has been pretty fast paced. There have been site visits with City Council members, a US Congressman and the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.  We celebrated the week of the Young Child and Jackie Robinson Day. Our Early Childhood Programs team attended the National Head Start Conference and I attended the Texas Association of the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC) Conference. Oh, and there was a total solar eclipse (I still get chills when I think back to the moment of totality!) But April is also known as Autism Awareness Month and I did not want the month to end without shining a spotlight on this disorder that affects so many people and their families.

Autism Fact: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1% of the world’s population has autism spectrum disorder which equates to more than 75 million people.

Over the last three decades, the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has changed several times.  Autism is known as a ‘spectrum’ disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience. People of all genders, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds can be diagnosed with ASD. There are many causes of autism.  Research suggests that ASD develops from a combination of genetic and environmental influences. These factors appear to increase the risk of autism and shape the type of autism that a child will develop. However, increased risk is not the same as a cause. For example, some gene changes associated with autism can also be found in people who don’t have the disorder. Similarly, not everyone exposed to an environmental risk factor for autism will develop the disorder. In fact, most will not.

Autism Fact: 1 in 36 children in the US have autism. 1 in 45 adults in the US have autism.

Unlike other disorders, ASD can be difficult to diagnose because there are no genetic or other standalone medical tests for diagnosis. Instead, doctors or medical providers look to the child’s developmental and behavioral history. It’s possible to detect signs of autism as early as 18 months or younger. This is because ASD affects the way children develop and interact with the world. They do not develop at the same pace as their peers. Some of the early signs of autism include:

•          Limited or no eye contact

•          Few or no smiles or facial expressions

•          Limited sharing of sounds

•          Not looking at objects being pointed to

•          Not speaking until an age later than is typical

Research shows that early diagnosis of and interventions for autism are more likely to have major long-term positive effects on symptoms and later skills.  Of course, we know this from our own work in early childhood education.  A child’s brain is 90% developed by the age of 4 and without a well rounded educational program, proper assessment and guidance by early learning professionals, the potential for problems later in life is far more likely.  Our own Head Start program has a requirement that 10% of our enrollment must be children with disabilities and Kriston Jackson, VP of Early Childhood Programs informed me that we are currently at 15%, which is awesome!

Autism Fact: Boys are nearly 4 times more likely to diagnosed with autism than girls.

You might be surprised to know some of the notable people today that confirm that they have been diagnosed with autism. Actors Dan Akroyd and Sir Anthony Hopkins have both been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.  Prominent pro athletes such as Jim Eisenreich (baseball) and Anthony Ianni (basketball) have been diagnosed with autism.  And although not formally diagnosed, it is commonly believed that Albert Einstein, Leonardo de Vinci and Benjamin Franklin all displayed characteristics of autism.

Autism Fact: Vaccines do not cause autism.

As I am writing this, I am reminded of the ChildCareGroup Equity Statement that was created by our own staff members: ChildCareGroup is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging within our workplace and the communities we serve.  We believe all people – regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability or zip code – deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential.  We strive to remove barriers wherever they exist and promote a community that enables all citizens to thrive. 

I am so proud of this agency Equity Statement and I truly believe that we live it out as an organization on a daily basis.  And I am especially proud of our teachers, Inclusion staff, Family Advocates, CCA Mentors and others who work directly with children, parents and early childhood educators to help educate, nurture and support children who may display characteristics of ASD.

Enjoy the weekend everyone. I hear we have more rain in the forecast so that makes it a perfect opportunity to stay inside with a good book or a good binge watch – or both!! Any suggestions?

Stay strong. Stay safe. Stay positive.

Tori Mannes

CEO & President

(Sources: Autism Speaks; Therapeutic Pathways; Autism Parenting Magazine)