There is a good chance you know someone who has autism or is caring for an autistic child or adult.  The latest analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 68 children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Photo via Bridge The Gap For Autism

The term “spectrum” means there are a wide range of symptoms and levels of functional ability in children and adults with ASD. Some are fully able to perform all activities of daily living while others need substantial support to perform basic activities. ASD occurs in every racial and ethnic group, and boys are significantly more likely to develop ASD than girls.

When to seek evaluation

According to the National Institute Neurological Disorders, here are some early childhood indicators that require evaluation:

• no babbling or pointing by age 1
• no single words by age 16 months or two-word phrases by age 2
• no response to hearing his or her name
• loss of language or social skills previously acquired
• poor eye contact
• excessive lining up of toys or objects
• no smiling or social responsiveness

Speaker Series: Autism Awareness

Bridge the Gap for Autism in Shawano is holding a Speaker Series every second Monday of the month now through April 2019.  This series brings together parents, caregivers, grandparents, teachers, employers and friends to not only learn about ASD, but to support one another and have conversations about topics such as parenting, nutrition, employment, transitioning to adulthood and more.

Beth Montour, Bridge the Gap

“We’re able to host this fantastic speaker series thanks to a generous donation of a $1,000 grant from the Community Vision Fund (formerly the Bright Idea Fund) through the Community Foundation,” said Beth Montour, program assistant for Bridge the Gap. “The final session in April will provide a panel discussion with individuals on the autism spectrum to hear the world from their point of view.”

For more information, please visit the Bridge the Gap for Autism website.