April is Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month, with April 2^nd being Autism Acceptance Day!  In 2022, 1 in every 100 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. About 1 in 44 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States according to the CDC. Autism prevalence has increased 178% since 2000.  Among children identified with ASD who had IQ scores available, about one-third (35.2%) also had intellectual disability.

Honoring and celebrating individuals with an intellectual disability and/or autism is something we should be doing on a daily basis, not just for a particular month.  As supporters we need to build on strengths of a person or a group while being conscious not to impose our values and needs on the individual.  Connecting with peers, in person or via the internet, is an important step in the process. Soliciting feedback from participants is the best way to find out if activities are helpful and enjoyable- NEVER assume! Familiarizing yourself with resources that are available in the community is key in helping to support someone.  Resources like PCHC, EasternASERT, or national organizations like AutismSpeaks are great places to learn about what’s available.

Are you an individual or a supporter who feels they would benefit from peer support?  If you live in Philadelphia, reach out to the CAPS program.  Also, below is a list of sites where you can find events, resources, or just get some questions answered

https://www.autismspeaks.org/

https://paautism.org/

https://healthymindsphilly.org/events/list/?tribe-bar-date=2023-04-01