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CDC estimate on autism prevalence increases by nearly 10 percent, to 1 in 54 children in the U.S. … a gap remains in prevalence among Hispanic children, indicating a need to expand screening and intervention among this group. Further, black and Hispanic children identified with autism received evaluations at older ages than similar white … guidance of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), and to advance policies that better provide services and supports for early intervention, education, transition to adulthood, employment and community living.   The CDC report was … of people with autism. To join the conversation, find @autismspeaks on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. For personalized support and questions, contact the Autism Response Team at 1-888-AUTISM2, en Español at 1-888-772-9050 or by email at  …
Pool and Water Safety for Lifeguards … way of communicating, that can help keep them calm them in an unsafe situation or if they have wandered away from their group. This  first-responder toolkit  has communication techniques in addition to a lot of other useful information for … the pool or have other communication differences, so they may not hear the whistle.   Swimming facility owners can support autistic swimmers as well by communicating safety rules in different ways to ensure understanding, … are visual learners understand the rules.   Teaching their lifeguarding and other staff about supporting an autism-friendly swimming experience can help make sure their pool is a safe and comfortable environment for …
Meet Helen P.… expressions often left her feeling like an outsider. But when her family moved to North Haven, Connecticut, she met a group of friends who encouraged her to embrace the unique traits that make her who she is. It was at that point when … was right! I hope one day my work can inspire others to chase their dreams too. How important has it been to have a strong support system of family and friends in your life? My family is very supportive of my dreams of becoming a wildlife photographer for National Geographic and whatever else I want to pursue. …
Meet Miles W.… showing signs of delays, my initial thoughts were of worry and fear. At the time, I wasn’t sure what I should be doing to support him, but I prayed a lot and asked the Lord to order my steps. I sought out speech and group speech therapies, as well as occupational therapy in school. Outside of school, I enrolled Miles in Tae Kwon Do, … be a greater focus on transition services for teens and young adults who have aged out of educational programs or community supports. Organizations like Autism Speaks need to continue to build relationships with companies to provide employment …
Meet Bin F.… to educate others about autism and inform policymakers. He has particularly made an impact in representing, leading and supporting Asian communities. In this Q&A, Bin shares what Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month means to … family business, because my son Vincent is on the spectrum. Vincent is always our top priority. All of us come together to support him. I started to share our stories about 20 years ago after we knew Vincent has autism. First, it was just a note … advice? I remember the words from the movie “The field of dreams”: if you build it, he will come. When I started a parents’ group, started book clubs, started with social media stories, started with website, started with NPO, I always remember this …
One family’s story of navigating their son’s Down syndrome/autism dual diagnosis … also made Jake eligible for additional services, such as the state autism waiver, which provides him with community supports. The diagnosis also helped family members and school- and community-based providers to better understand the reason … It was also through the organization that I learned about and subsequently joined the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG) DS-ASD committee, which provides expertise to healthcare professionals who work with individuals with Down …
Karl Wittig, a retired electronics engineer, reflects on his late diagnosis and career journey… spectrum disorder. His diagnosis gave him a deeper understanding of his differences and allowed him to find a tight-knit support group of other autistic adults. In this Q&A, Karl talks about his journey to an autism diagnosis and his three secrets to … I had finally nailed it. After my diagnosis, I became very engaged in the autistic communities. I started going to support meetings, which I’ve been going to and facilitating ever since. I’m part of an organization now called Aspies for …
Autism Speaks awards over $550,000 for autism research… more effective, personalized care in the years ahead,” said Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer Andy Shih. “We are proud to support a promising group of young scientists who are propelling the field of autism research forward in new directions.”  Grant applications …
Advocacy Perspective: During Black History Month, A Call To Action To Advance Health Equity … adverse health challenges.   Autism Speaks was a frequent flyer in my office on the Hill. I often met with a very diverse group of AS ambassadors. They not only advocated for the autistic community but for health equity generally. I saw as they … services. These data indicate that too many Black autistic children are going undiagnosed - without the services and support they need and deserve.  Our approach to change this is through community-based services that empower those who are … with autism and developmental disabilities or delays how to use their everyday routines and home activities to best support their children’s communication and behavioral health needs. Our Public Health Team’s work – which has impacted lives …
Meet Erin M.… I read about their experiences, and they gave me the words to recognize what I was going through.  What services and supports have you received since being diagnosed? How have they help you?  Occupational therapy – helped with creating sensory diet and troubleshooting issues like finding clothes too itchy or coming up with creative coping skills.  Group therapy – we work on social skills and communicating with other people, as well as things like goal setting and …