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    • Autism Awareness Month

      Scroll below for more Autism resources

      April is Autism Month, dedicated to increasing awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

    • MORE ABOUT AUTISM

      What is Autism?

      Autism is a complex, lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects people differently and to varying degrees.

      While there is currently no known single cause of autism, early diagnosis helps a person receive the support and services that they need, which can lead to a quality life filled with opportunity.

      Characteristics & Diagnosis

      Autism is characterized in the DSM-V by:

      1. Persistent differences in communication, interpersonal relationships, and social interaction across different environments

      What this can look like: Being nonverbal or having atypical speech patterns, having trouble understanding nonverbal communication, difficulty making and keeping friends, difficulty maintaining typical back-and-forth conversational style

      1. Restricted and repetitive behavior, patterns, activities, and interests

      What this can look like: Repeating sounds or phrases (echolalia), repetitive movements, preference for sameness and difficulty with transition or routine, rigid or highly restricted and intense interests, extreme sensitivity to or significantly lower sensitivity to various sensory stimuli

      According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which is used by clinicians to diagnose autism, these core features of autism must be present in early childhood but may not fully manifest until social demands exceed the person’s capacity to cope with them, and challenges may be masked by learned coping strategies.

      Prevalence

      In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its ADDM autism prevalence report. The report concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 59 – twice as great as the 2004 rate of 1 in 125. The spotlight shining on autism, as a result, has opened opportunities for the nation to consider how to serve people on the autism spectrum and their families.

      Although autism impacts people regardless of race or ethnicity, there are racial and ethnic disparities in diagnosis. According to the CDC, ADDM reports have consistently noted that more white children are identified with ASD than black or Hispanic children. Previous studies have shown that stigma, lack of access to healthcare services due to non-citizenship or low-income, and non-English primary language are potential barriers to the identification of children with ASD, especially among Hispanic children. A difference in identifying black and Hispanic children with ASD relative to white children means these children may not be getting the services they need to reach their full potential.

      This ADDM report found that the racial and ethnic differences in identifying 8-year-old children with ASD persist, but also some indications that the differences may be narrowing.

      Currently, boys are also approximately 4.5 times more likely to have an autism diagnosis than girls of the same age. However, recent research suggests that girls may not show autism in the same way as boys and might go undiagnosed because of that.

      Early Signs

      Autism impacts an individual throughout the lifespan. However, research shows that early diagnosis can lead to improved quality of life. For more information on developmental milestones, visit the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” site. Here are some signs to look for:

      • Speaks later than typical or not at all (nonverbal)
      • Repetition in language or movement, such as repeating the same word or sounds, hand flapping, or any repeated movement 
      • Atypical nonverbal communication, including avoiding eye contact, giving few facial expressions, or having a monotone
      • Prefers solitary or parallel play rather than engaging in associative or cooperative play with other children
      • Extremely distressed by changes, including new foods or changes in schedule
      • Preference for predictable, structured play over spontaneous or make-believe play 
      • Strong, persistent interest on specific topic, part of a toy, or item
    • Autism Digital Resources

      Click to download the Digital Autism Resources

      “What is Autism?” Poster

      Autism Society 101 Infographic

      “What is Autism?” Infographic

      Advocacy 

      Guide

    • "WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT"

      Autism Awareness Month Presentation

      Check out the "WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT" presentation for Autism Awareness Month from our JCCEO Disabilities and Mental Health Component to learn more about Autism and spread awareness. For additional video resources on Autism, visit the links below. #jcceobham #autismawareness #autism

       

      Click the names below for additional resources for Autism.

       

      Amazing Things Happen!

       

      Playing with Toys | Real Look Autism | Babble

      To download the "WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT" Autism presentation, click the tab below

      Download the powererpoint

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    JCCEO
    300 Eighth Avenue, West
    Birmingham, Alabama 35204-3039
    Phone: 205-327-7500
    Fax: 205-326-4179

    info@jcceo.org

           

    JCCEO considers applicants for all services without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.
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    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

    To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

    1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov

    This Institution is an equal opportunity provider.

     

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