As you may or may not already know, autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder that impacts individuals’ ability to communicate and interact with others. Approximately 1 in 44 children in the United States is diagnosed with ASD, and diagnoses can be considered reliable as early as age 2 in children, although it may not be diagnosed until much later.

An estimated 40 percent of people with autism are nonverbal, and people with autism may also have associated mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia. However, people with autism come from all sorts of backgrounds and each have their own unique stories and experiences to share. It’s important to listen to these voices, educate ourselves, and raise awareness of autism. Here are some things to read and think about autism for Autism Awareness Month or World Autism Month:

Real stories and quotes about autism

A lot of times, what you’ll see, hear, and read about autism is medical facts, statistics, and other forms of hard numbers and concrete evidence. While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and it is important to understand what autism really is, the best way to do that is by actually listening to people who are personally impacted by autism. 

Whether someone is diagnosed with autism, has a friend with autism, or is the parent of a child with autism, their experiences are all so crucial to developing our understanding of the condition and how it plays a role in people’s everyday lives. 

Here’s what Mary Elizabeth, parent of Perry, who has autism, and Margeaux, who has Asperger’s, has to share: 

“... While typical children are scheduling play dates and extracurricular activities, our children’s lives are about therapies, day after day, year after year, usually 7 days a week. People on the outside cannot grasp the necessary skills that our children require help with.

My incredibly special children have been a true gift. Of course, like any mother, I would take away their struggles if I could. I strive every day to be the kind of parent they deserve. I hope I am as much a gift to them as they are to me. They are a bright spark in so many lives.

My ultimate hope is that one day soon my children will live in a world where they will be accepted and appreciated, despite their differences. As long as I am here, I try to surround them with people who love and accept them as they navigate this world, because autism never takes a day off.” 

A valuable quote comes from Dr. Stephen Shore, a professor of special education at Adelphi University who has autism. “If you’ve met one individual with autism, you’ve met one individual with autism,” he said. Although it may seem simple and straightforward, it has an incredibly valuable message, and one that may not be truly understood by many people: there is no right or wrong way to “have autism.” 

There is no way that we can generalize an entire population based on a single aspect of their lives, and we need to understand that people’s needs, strengths, and struggles are all so diverse and unique. That’s part of what makes humanity so beautiful!

Autism Resources

If you or someone you love needs resources related to autism, there are plenty of options available to you.

If you’re a parent: 

• The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) has published five Life Journey guidebooks to help parents understand topics ranging from the assessment process and research to transitioning to adulthood. They also have other educational resources available at no cost on their website that can help with any other questions or concerns you may have.
• Because autism can require interventions such as therapy, it can be expensive. Insure Kids Now! is a national campaign that aims to provide free and low-cost health insurance to uninsured children up to the age of 18. 
• If you have any specific things you’d like to learn more about, the American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled articles, interviews, and research about ASD that you can read.
• The National Autism Center has a manual that can help you make decisions that are in your child’s best interest and help them reach their full potential.

If you’re an educator:

• The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) offers scripts for social stories, tools for building social relationships and maturity, and other resources for educators who may work with children with autism.
• If you’re looking for ideas on how to integrate more inclusive teaching practices into the classroom, the Indiana Resource Center for Autism has an article that provides tips for teaching children and adults with autism. It’s written by Dr. Temple Grandin, who has autism. 
• Research Autism has articles that can help you learn more about autism to better understand it, as well as tips for creating a more diverse classroom environment for students with different needs.
• For a comprehensive guide to teaching students with autism, check out the National Education Association. It includes lesson plans, templates, and other resources to help you on your journey. 

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This April, be sure to actively raise awareness about autism. Listen to and uplift the voices of people who live with autism, advocate for more education programs and initiatives, and work to make our world a better, more inclusive place!

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