Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is marked annually on April 2, and aims to bring attention to Autism spectrum disorders. The day also hopes to shed light on Autism's affects on families dealing with the disorder. World Autism Awareness Day was the result of a resolution unanimously passed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008, making Autism one of only three health issues to be recognized by the UN with its own “day.” http://www.autismspeaks.org/press/world_autism_awareness_day_2009.phpThe first WAAD was observed in 2008, with over 20 countries participating in a series of events. These events were aimed at establishing dialogue about Autism, and inspiring further exploration of issues surrounding the disorder. In 2010, Autism awareness will be promoted worldwide from late March into early April, in countries such as: Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Canada, France, Ghana, Greece, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, the UK, and the U.S. http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org/site/c.egLMI2ODKpF/b.3917085/k.8FDB/Event_Schedule.htm

Autism is a neural development disorder, characterized by social impairments and communication troubles, like: avoidance or lack of eye-contact, lack of intimacy and a preference to be left alone, an inability to pick up on social cues, lack of or delayed speech, an inability to engage in conversation, or a lack of imagination when engaging in play. Some individuals diagnosed with Autism have displayed repetitive, or ritualistic behaviors like lining up their toys or objects, possessing a narrowed interest for specific topics, and a resistance to change.

World Autism Awareness Day hopes to provide families with the information and resources they need to intervene early, to provide Autistic individuals with the best possible futures.http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/89805112.html

Doctors and scientists still consider the disorder of autism to be a bit of a mystery. For example, compared to other medical disorders, knowledge is quite thin when it comes to the root causes of autism, better treatment for those with the condition, how much (or how little) the environment plays a role in causing the condition, etc.

Unlike other disorders that medical experts better understand the cause and treatment for, autism is still very much considered something that we need much more information about.

Over the last few decades, it has been reported that the number of children diagnosed with autism has been increasing. Upon hearing this fact, some people take this to mean that the number of people with autism has increased. However, this is not necessarily the case. The fact that more people have been diagnosed with autism does not necessarily mean that a higher percentage of people actually have autism these days.http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=life_treat

There are a number of possible explanations to account for the apparent rise of autism diagnoses. Here are two such possible explanations:

1. The increase in diagnoses is credited to breakthroughs in research and a better understanding of autism. This better understanding of autism has lead medical experts to develop more nuanced systems of categorizing the condition. Essentially, then, the definition of what counts and what does not count as autism has changed slightly over the last few decades. Because of this, some individuals who might not have been diagnosed as autistic 30 years ago might now find themselves diagnosed as such.
2. Additionally, another frequently offered explanation explaining why we see an increase in the diagnosis of autism in children involves our better access to medical care and information. With each passing decade, people generally have better access to medical care. The medical care itself also improves. Due to these improvements, people who might have been autistic (but never were able to have it properly diagnosed due to lack of access to qualified medical physicians) now find themselves with better access to medical care and can receive proper diagnoses. And so, as the argument would proceed, because the number of people going to doctors increases, even if the percentage of people who have autism remains constant, the number of people diagnosed with autism will necessarily increase as well.http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=life_treat

Progress has been made in regards to the general public understanding Autism. A number of films have been produced, aimed to offer a first-hand look into the disorder, and the day-to-day dealings of families affected by it. http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=life_treat

HBO’s documentary, A Mother's Courage: Talking Back To Autism, narrated by Kate Winslet. Is a documentary aiming to take audiences beyond narrow depictions of autism in films like Rain Man and expose them more broadly to the disability.http://inform.com/health/hbo-film-autism-mothers-eyes-891990a

A Mother's Courage follows Margaret, an Icelandic woman, as she meets with scientists and Autism experts in an attempt to improve the quality of life of her ten-year-old Autistic son, Keli. The documentary will air on HBO on World Autism Awareness Day, on April 02, 2010.http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/a-mothers-courage-talking-back-to-autism/synopsis.html