More than 3.5 Million–that’s the number of people with autism spectrum disorder in the US alone. According to the CDC, for every 68 children, one of them has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. These are large numbers, which means autism awareness is key in developing new ways to help those struggling with it.
Photo Credit: flickr user – Bill Smith
To help and get the word out, landmarks across the globe have been lit up blue–the autism awareness color. By doing this, the world hopes to draw attention to the causes and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.
Gain autism awareness by knowing causes and signs
Unfortunately, the clear causes of autism still allude researchers around the world. It is known that there are differences in the brain structure of those with and without autism, making it easier to identify. Also, those with a genetic past of autism are more at risk for it than those that are not.
Signs of autism can show up anywhere between the ages of 6 months to 6 years old, sometimes even further than that. Symptoms vary widely, making it harder to pinpoint if your child has autism, especially if it’s asperger’s syndrome (high-functioning autism). From the National Institutes of Health, there are a few signs to watch for, but don’t necessarily mean your child has autism:
- Difficulty explaining what they want
- Doesn’t smile when smiled at
- Doesn’t try to attract his/her parents’ attention
- Prefers to play alone/independent at young age
- Poor eye contact
- Seems to be in their “own world” very often
- Gets “stuck” doing the same thing over and over and doesn’t want to move on
If you believe your child may have autism it’s imperative to contact a professional for further help.
Seven Stars can help
Seven Stars, a therapeutic program for teens ages 13-17 struggling with neurodevelopmental disorders, can help your child find success.
For more information, contact 844-601-1167 to get your teen the help they need.
