By Allie Leen and Ava Eliasson
The prevalence of autism in the United States has risen from 1 in 125 kids in 2010 to 1 in 59 in 2020, and MIT scientist Stephanie Seneff predicts that half of the children born in 2025 will be autistic. Considering this steep increase, we must do more to raise awareness about autism symptoms and how to properly act around autistic people. It must be noted that the first step is recognizing if someone has autism. You must act with caution when trying to show your support for autism.
How to Show Your Support
There are several ways to show your support for Autistic people during April and year-round. First, you can mark your calendars for 2022 to wear the color blue on Autism Awareness Day, April 2nd. During the annual campaign Light It Up Blue, many landmarks, buildings, homes place blue lights in their windows and people simply wear a blue shirt to help raise awareness for this important day. You can also share a post on social media with the hashtag #LIUB.These are great ways to show your support, but you can also donate to the cause itself. Reliable organizations like the “Autism Partnership Foundation” serve as a place to contribute money to Autism research and costly diagnoses made for children.
Additionally, anyone has the opportunity to share the symbol of the autism awareness puzzle ribbon. You have likely seen this bright, primary colored puzzle piece that can be worn as a pin on your backpack or as a car sticker. This serves as an efficient reminder to all that you stand strong for those with autism, and it stands out!
Luckily, if you don’t have the resources to donate to autism societies or purchase such products for the cause, you can still participate in Autism Awareness Month. To spread support, awareness, and advocacy, there are a variety of things you can do. For example, you can take part in Autism walks or registered events, interact with someone who is affected by Autism, and advocate for others by taking it up to the local school board to ensure that your school is inclusive towards those on the spectrum.
Indicators of Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, has effects that can change lives involuntarily, beginning in childhood. It’s the public’s responsibility to not just respect the autistic, but endorse children and adults with autism all the time.
In terms of recognizing whether or not someone has autism, it is necessary to seek professional medical help if you think a close family member or friend has ASD. But in everyday life, it can be detrimental to pinpoint a few key behavioral signs that may signify a person has the mental health condition.
Frequently, affection and communication are areas that cause two symptoms: physical touch resistance and lack of social skills. In or out of social situations, any physical behaviors like tics and repetitive speech or actions should be noted.
Autistic people may have difficulty expressing emotion, but they typically will have no problem being brutally honest. People on the Autistic Spectrum may forget important dates or understand the significance of specifications, such as holidays. Then, they may be extremely sensitive as they interpret the world more literally, meaning they can easily become distressed or offended.
It’s expected that anyone with ASD will have difficulty accepting changes to plans or rigid routines. With challenges often comes emotional meltdowns (screaming, crying, kicking, hitting) which vary from person to person, but this is usually just an automatic reaction to being sensory overwhelmed.
How to Act Properly Around an Autistic Person
When dealing with loved ones that have autism, it’s best to try to accept, not alter them. Although a neurotypical person can never completely understand the autistic brain, this shouldn’t change our perceptions of someone’s character. There is certainly no set-in-stone script of rules meant to be followed when communicating or interacting with someone Autistic, but recommendations exist.
Like with any relationship, having patience is key. Regardless of age, you should maintain a positive attitude and be reassuring. Let the person know that they can express their emotions comfortably with you, even anger, but without aggression. Have persistence in conversation, but also resilience is helpful. This entails not taking blunt or hurtful responses from your autistic loved one personally and remember that they cannot always control their emotions.
Physical activity is also a creative outlet that can be used to interact. Even though autistic people often have short attention spans, you should express affection regardless while remembering to be respectful of personal space and boundaries. You should not define your friend, family member or loved one by their diagnosis and you should show them you care.
When it comes to your own health, don’t be worried if you need to take a break. Support groups, counselors and psychologists are within reach!
Creating a Better Community
Given a sympathetic and loving environment, people on the autism spectrum can thrive. As a community in Nyack High School, we can raise awareness of this developmental disorder. With more openness in classrooms and overall advocacy, autistic people in our community can face fewer complications in the public setting.
Now that it is apparent how we can reduce the backlash that Autistic people face, try to be more accepting, be an advocate, and know when to seek help.