commemoration of #WAAD, on the 2nd of April 2019, Secretary-General António Guterres of the UnitedNations said, “On World Autism Awareness Day, we speak out against discrimination, celebrate the diversity of our global community and strengthen our commitment to the full inclusion and participation of people with autism. Supporting them to achieve their full potential is a vital part of our efforts to uphold the core promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: to leave no one behind.” Havana Specialist Hospital takes his message a step further by this piece; imploring you to speak out for people living with autism every day. It is on this note that we bring you “Shocking Facts You Probably Never Knew About Autism”.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates. Autistic individuals relate with people around them but have difficulties with everyday social interaction.

Findings show that most children living with ASD are not only denied basic human rights, resulting in a poor quality of life and trauma for their parents and relations, but are also wrongly believed to possess witchcraft in many African countries, including Nigeria.

Although, autism’s most-obvious signs and symptoms often appear between 2 and 3 years of age, and as early as 18 months in some cases, nevertheless, some developmental delays associated with ASD can be identified and addressed much even earlier.

Rather than pitching “science against religion,” research suggests the more-effective approach is to dispel superstitions by sharing knowledge in culturally respectful ways, Dr. Shih says.

Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits

· Insistence on sameness; resistance to change

· Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures or pointing instead of words

· Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language

· Laughing, crying, showing distress for reasons not apparent to others

· Prefers to be alone; aloof manner

· Tantrums

· Difficulty in mixing with others

· May not want to cuddle or be cuddled

· Little or no eye contact

But there are many other interesting things about people living with autism you probably never knew…

UNPOPULAR FACTS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT AUTISM

1. Did you know that 46% of children diagnosed with autism actually have an average or above-average IQ? Still, as experts delve deeper into autism spectrum disorder (ASD) — defined by difficulties with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors — they find that we’ve just scratched the surface in terms of comprehending it. Consider these five game-changing facts about a condition that is all too often misunderstood.

2. “The more you stimulate the brain, especially with language and social interaction, the more you can rewire it to minimize the effects of autism.” Research has shown that babies with the condition begin demonstrating diminished eye contact as early as two months. While screening for this isn’t currently available, parents should rely on their gut instinct, especially if they notice light or sound

4. About 13% of kids initially told they have autism eventually lose the diagnosis, according to a CDC study. “Since the diagnosis is based on the skill and knowledge of the evaluator — both of which can vary — it’s easy to see how some kids may be incorrectly labeled,” explains Levy. “Others test differently after treatment.” Both scenarios are more common in boys, as girls have an entirely different issue: under-diagnosis

Even More…

· Although there continues to be a lot of disagreement about the link between childhood vaccinations and autism, it’s been determined to be a myth by study after study.

· “Vaccines are not one of the causes,” says Halladay. The theory first began after a small 1998 study claimed to find a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. That study has since been deemed flawed, and the original journal it was published in retracted it. Thimerosal, another vaccine ingredient once thought to increase risk of autism, has also not been linked to ASD (and since 2001, it has been reduced or eliminated in vaccines). Subsequent research has consistently found vaccines to be safe and identified no connection between childhood vaccinations and autism.

Finally, imagine for a moment if you couldn’t speak with the world around you… It would definitely be the responsibility of the people around you to learn to understand you. In the same vein, therefore, “It is our responsibility to learn how to engage, understand and express ourselves to those around us on the autism spectrum”.

Spread the Message. Speak up for people living with Autism!