According to the World Health Organization, one in 160 children has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Making an inclusive society a reality is a daily task. Among those affected by inequality are people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who according to the World Health Organization (WHO), affects one in 160 children, a condition that will accompany the person during their lifetime. In the United States, Latino children are one of the fastest growing groups in terms of autism incidence according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are varying degrees of autism and the most common cases include disruptions in communication skills, social interacting, as well as activities, interests, and behaviors. The causes of the condition do not have an exact origin, but it is usually detected in the first years of life when the child shows signs such as delayed speech, does not react to hearing his name, does not establish eye contact, among others.
The United Nations General Assembly decreed 2 April’s World Autism Awareness Day with the aim of improving the quality of life of people, as well as their families, living with it and trying to live as normal a life as possible.
For people with ASD to be part of a community, it is necessary for society to accept that they are human beings capable of carrying out millions of activities that can even help the environment they live in. This year, in different parts of the world, the “I can learn. I can work” campaign promotes access to quality education and employment that fits the specific abilities, priorities and needs of individuals with autism.
The degree of social integration of a person with ASD depends on the education they and their family receive and their social environment. According to specialists, observation is essential. It is important to identify the ways of communicating from the interests of a person with autism, analyze the details that attract their attention and know their preferences. All this will result in a more manageable and better-quality form of life for both the person with ASD, as well as for the person interacting with them.
There is no one better than the parents to identify the first symptoms of autism in their children, they already know their children better than the pediatrician. By knowing what is normal and what is not, and with their observations and the pediatrician’s diagnosis, they will be able to find a better treatment for them from an early age, which can be key in their development.
For more information on autism, the following website provides information in Spanish: www.autismspeaks.org/espanol. There is also a resource office in Alaska.
