Celebrating World Autism Month

April is World Autism Month.  To celebrate and spotlight World Autism Month Astoria Day Habilitation Program worked with Crystal Morgan, Recreation Therapist, to continue to bring to light Autism Awareness. 

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate, and interact with others. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and early diagnosis/intervention and access to appropriate services/supports lead to significantly improved outcomes. Some of the behaviors associated with autism include delayed learning of language; difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation; difficulty with executive functioning, which relates to reasoning and planning; narrow, intense interests; poor motor skills’ and sensory sensitivities. Again, a person on the spectrum might follow many of these behaviors or just a few, or many others besides. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is applied based on analysis of all behaviors and their severity.  In recent years there have been many changes in the education of individuals diagnosed with Autism and with these changes more understanding in working with all individuals to allow them greater independence.  

Crystal Morgan, Recreation Therapist, shares that the poster created by the individuals at Astoria Day Habilitation “exemplifies the feelings and attitudes towards autism. The goal was to promote the positive aspects of the exchanges we make every day with the individuals we serve. Each classroom added a quote and picture and passed it on to the next classroom. I am working hard to create the environment to break stigmas.”