You’ve probably heard this statistic by now: 1 in 68 children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released this statistic from their most recent report just in time for April, which is Autism Awareness Month. The report, Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years made headlines across the country. The report … [Read more...]
Autism: What You Should Do Before and After the Diagnosis
The fact that autism is diagnosed later in minority children saddens me. It saddens me, but it also motivates me to be even more diligent about spreading autism awareness in my community. Our children are beginning the race when children of other races are already on their third lap. Angel was not diagnosed with autism until he turned four. Here is the action plan that I … [Read more...]
Let’s Talk About Autism; It’s Time to Speak Up
Angel’s autism diagnosis thrust me into a world that was foreign to me. A world that was full of unknowns. As a community, we have no problem telling others when we have conditions like diabetes, arthritis, or even hypertension. In fact, we shout these diagnoses from the rooftops. However, some families decide to keep their child's autism diagnosis a secret. I am a firm … [Read more...]