World Autism Awareness Day is on April 2nd every year. It aims to raise awareness and support for people with autism. The theme for 2024 is “Empowering Autistic Voices.” A report says around 18 million people in India have autism. Between 1-1.5% of children aged 2-9 years old are diagnosed with autism. Boys are more commonly affected than girls.
World Autism Awareness Day, History
The United Nations established World Autism Awareness Day in 2007. The goal is to increase public awareness, accept and empower individuals with autism, and recognize their contributions to society.
Key Points:
- Autism affects social interaction, communication, and behaviour
- Causes can include premature birth, pollution, genetics
- Early signs include lack of response, avoiding eye contact, repeated movements
- Therapies and medications can help manage symptoms
- World Autism Awareness Day raises global awareness and support
What is Autism?
Autism is a disorder that makes it hard for people to interact with others and communicate. People with autism may also have unusual behaviors and have trouble switching between activities. They may focus a lot on details and react strongly to sensations like sounds or textures.
Causes of Autism
Some possible causes of autism include:
- Being born very premature or with low birth weight
- The mother being exposed to air pollution or being obese during pregnancy
- Diabetes or immune system problems in the mother
- Genetics
Risk Factors
Things that increase the risk of autism include:
- Having a sibling with autism
- Having certain genetic conditions
- Complications during birth
- Being born to older parents
Symptoms of Autism
Signs of autism in young children:
- Not responding to their name
- Avoiding eye contact
- Repeating movements over and over
- Delayed speech development
Signs in older children:
- Trouble understanding others’ thoughts and feelings
- Unusual speech patterns
- Sticking to strict routines
- Difficulty making friends
Treatment
Treatment for autism aims to reduce symptoms and improve learning and skills. It may include:
- Different therapies to help with speech and behaviour
- Medications for related medical conditions