*In 2020, autism now affects 1 in 54 children.

*Usually, an individual who has autism, has another disorder.

*It is proven that using social stories with an individual with autism can be helpful, especially for a younger child.

*Providing occupational, speech, or cognitive behavior therapy at an early age for someone who is autistic has proven to be helpful in the long run.

*COVID19 affected those with a mental illness in a drastic and often, negative way. Routines for those with autism were interrupted and this caused more meltdowns, anxiety, and anticipation.

*A temper tantrum and an autistic meltdown are very different. A tantrum can usually be controlled by the individual and a meltdown is harder or sometimes impossible to control for the individual because of a sensory overload in the brain.

(National Autism Association, Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations with Students with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism article, Autism Speaks, The Son-Rise Program for Autism)