By Barbara Vittas, Autism Chairman, Bedford, TX
Autism and
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are both terms for a group of complex disorders
of brain development. Autism is a
neurological disorder that affects development in areas of social interaction
and communication skills. The most
obvious signs of autism tend to emerge between 12 and 18 months of age. There are no blood or biologic tests for
autism so diagnosis is not an exact science.
Making judgments about a child’s behavior identifies it. ASD is estimated to affect more than 2
million individuals in the U.S. and statistics show that prevalence rates have
increased 10 to 17 percents annually in recent years. Health officials attribute the increase in
cases largely to better recognition through wider screening and better diagnosis.
During the
July 2008 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention in Washington, DC, the
National Philoptochos Autism Assistance Fund was established. The
purpose of this discretionary fund is to enable Philoptochos to heighten
awareness of autism and to provide assistance and support to persons within the
autism spectrum. In addition, it allows
us to directly assist families as they struggle to meet out of pocket expenses
to ensure that their children receive the critical autism therapies that will
help them overcome their developmental disabilities. In 2014, National Philoptochos Autism
Awareness Fund disbursed $14,000 in assistance to individuals dealing with the
devastating costs associated with raising a child with an autism spectrum
disorder. Nearly 46,000 individuals and
families in the United States began their journey with autism that year.
What we need
to remember is that autism is a lifelong
developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and
relates to people around them. Children
and adults with autism are unable to relate to others in a socially meaningful
way and as these children become adults, their ability to develop friendships
is impaired, as is their capacity to understand other people’s feelings. People with autism can often have
accompanying learning disabilities. They
face challenges of developing their vocational skills and finding employment as
well as developing their independent living skills.
Since National
Philoptochos established the Autism Assistance Fund, we have learned much and
continue to learn about the effects of ASD.
I hope this summary will be of help in enlightening all
to the societal challenges faced in assisting families and individuals in
dealing with this disability, and that Philoptochos can take an increasingly effective role with our
assistance.
