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Do you know what Autism is?

Yes, I know what it is. 0.48214285714286 48.2% [ 27 ]
Yes, I have/know someone with autism. 0.39285714285714 39.3% [ 22 ]
No 0 0.0% [ 0 ]
I've heard of it, but don't know much about it. 0.125 12.5% [ 7 ]
Total Votes:[ 56 ]
1 2 3 4 5 6 ... 20 21 22 > >>

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Welcome to the Autism Awareness Event, running over the month of April. I am Beau, the hostess of the thread and I welcome those with open minds and hearts for a cause, that to many, is still unknown and is still severely prejudiced against simply because they don't fit into our "normal world". What is normal for us, isn't exactly normal for those who have Autism. They see the world in a different way to us and that isn't exactly a bad thing.

The prizes for the event won't be as grand as what I had with last year's event. If you want to chip in and help with the funds to make the prizes better, then please send me a trade labeled "A Donation For The Autism Prize Fund." Anyone who donates will remain anonymous and are still eligible to join in with the contests.

What is Autism?
Autism, part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. The disorder is characterised by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills and social abilities, and also by repetitive behaviours. Symptoms range from mild to severe. One milder form of the disorder is known as Asperger's Syndrome. Other developmental disorders that fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorders are Rett Syndrome, PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviours in their child or their child's failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then lost skills. If you have concerns about your child's development, don't wait: speak to your paediatrician about getting your child screened for autism.

There will be more information available in the FAQ post down the page further. smile

ALL CONTESTS START ON THE 1ST OF APRIL EDT UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE.
If you don't know what/where EDT is, here is a handy link to help you out. smile

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I'd like to add a small note here. This thread is dedicated to one of my closest friends on this site. She has now left, never to return here, but, April, thank you for the memories. This is for you and your adorable autistic son heart

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~ "Patience. Patience. Patience. Work to view my autism as a different ability rather than a disability. Look past what you may see as limitations and see the gifts autism has given me. It may be true that I’m not good at eye contact or conversation, but have you noticed that I don’t lie, cheat at games, tattle on my classmates or pass judgment on other people? Also true that I probably won’t be the next Michael Jordan. But with my attention to fine detail and capacity for extraordinary focus, I might be the next Einstein. Or Mozart. Or Van Gogh." - Ellen Notbohm ~

~ "The difference between high-functioning and low-functioning is that high-functioning means your deficits are ignored, and low- functioning means your assets are ignored." Laura Tisoncik ~

~ "Being diagnosed for any difference, it's not about the labelno one need know, it's about true identity." - Alyson Bradley ~

~ "Always
Unique
Totally
Intelligent
Sometimes
Mysterious" Circle of Moms Blog~

~ "Nobel prize-calibre geniuses often have certain core autistic features at their heart" Allan Snyder, director of Sydney University's Centre for the Mind. ~

~ "I see people with Asperger's syndrome as a bright thread in the rich tapestry of life" - Tony Attwood. ~

~ "Autism (with a capital “A”) to me, says that I accept my child wholly. I celebrate his differences and his quirky-ness. I advocate diversity. I try to empower him. I am proud of his successes, no matter how small they seem. I hope he holds onto the compassion he has in his heart into adulthood. I do not think he needs “fixing”. I am proud that he is my son, and sometimes I am humbled by that very same thought." Mommy Dearest ~

~ "Imagine a world where Aspergers was the norm, and non-autistics or neurotypicals were the minority. Let's try it: Those who feel the need to constantly be with a variety of friends are considered fickle. Those with no propensity for computers and science are called geeks. Those with no special interest are thought to be ungrounded and lost. Those without obsessive focus have to take classes to cultivate it." Rudy Simone ~

~ "When living with a neurological condition (or with a loved one who has one), it can be very easy to focus on the challenges and limitations. But in my life, I have found that focusing on abilities, finding new ways to adapt, have been crucial to my successes in life. Seeking those solutions can even be seen as a form of creativity. Although, like anyone, I have my moments of discouragement, I've learned to use my challenges to push me forward. I believe what Dr. Sacks says is very important. There is much more to a life on the spectrum than just deficiencies and deficits, and those "deficiencies and deficits" can very well be strengths in certain circumstances." Lynn Soraya ~

~ "I have two young children with autism. What could they have ever done to deserve that? What kind of a God allows the innocent to suffer? It's a mystery. Yet still, I believe in God." Fred Melamed ~

~ "If you start using a medication in a person with autism, you should see an obvious improvement in behavior in a short period of time. If you do not see an obvious improvement, they probably should not be taking the stuff. It is that simple."Temple Grandin ~

~ “I didn’t get where I am today by not being autistic.” Larry Arnold ~

~ "I feel life is a journey and we all have to learn to ride the storm, for some of us it can seem more like a tidal wave, but with every storm the sun eventually comes back out." -Alyson Bradley ~

~ "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible"- Frank Zappa ~

~ "The difference between high-functioning and low-functioning is that high-functioning means your deficits are ignored, and low- functioning means your assets are ignored." - Laura Tisoncik ~

~ "Not everything that steps out of line, and thus 'abnormal,' must necessarily be 'inferior." - Hans Asperger ~

~ "Autism is not something I have. It is integral to who I am. Eliminate the autism, and you eliminate me. When you say you want a cure, you are saying I should be put to death. Think about it." Parrish S. Knight ~

~ "I do not suffer from Autism, but I do suffer from the way you treat me." -Tyler Durdin ~

~ "I may have been born different and misunderstood from birth, but I know there is a place for me, somewhere in this universe." - Alyson Bradley ~

~ "Someone with Asperger’s really is like you, just more extreme." Dr. Winnie Dunn ~

~ "Asperger’s syndrome has probably been an important and valuable characteristic of our species throughout evolution." Tony Attwood ~

~ "For success in science and art a dash of autism is essential." Hans Asperger ~

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The aim of this contest is to help broaden your knowledge on Autism and help you gain a better understanding of it. You MUST quote this post with the question and answer it to be able to win the prize. Unfortunately, it will be first come, first serve with the answer, unless your answer is something that is relevant to the question that I hadn't considered, then you will receive 500g for your answer.
I may post some questions were there will be a slight bonus on top of the actual prize for this contest. And because it is me running this thing, the bonus will be a surprise and I will not be announcing who will/has recieved a bonus. wink

Prize - 2k

Question: What are the key difference(s) between Autism, Aspergers, & PDD-NOS? Unanswered question 5/4/2012. Can still be answered and the prize will be awarded.

Question: Looking beyond the childhood autism, would an adult with autism have difficulty living and doing things by themselves, or would they be better of having someone living with them and looking after/helping them? Unanswered question 4/4/2012. Can still be answered and the prize will be awarded.

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There are two contests in this section. The 1st is a tektek made with the colours that are represented on the ribbon for Autism. No price limit is in place. The 2nd is an avatar made the with colours for Autism that your avatar MUST wear for a period of 7 days to be considered for the contest. The colours for Autism, if you don't already know, is RAINBOW! So lets make our outfits as colourful as possible. ^_^
So quote this post with the contest you are entering and post an image of your avatar/tektek. heart

There is an entry fee for these two contests. The fee is 1k. So if you make a place between 4-10, you'll get your entry fee back.

1st Tektek in Autism Colours
Starts 1st April - Ends 25th April
Voting takes place for the winner between the 25th and 30th April.

1st place receives 50k
2nd place receives 20k
3rd place receives 10k
The remaining top 10 avatars (if we get that many), receives 1k each.


2nd Avatar must be dressed in Autism Colours
Starts 1st April - Ends 25th April
Voting takes place for the winner between the 25th and 30th April.

1st place receives 50k
2nd place receives 20k
3rd place receives 10k
The remaining top 10 avatars (if we get that many), receives 1k each.

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Ok, so this section isn't exactly a contest. These need to be posted in the thread, or if you can't post in the thread for some reason, for example, if you wish to remain anonymous, then you can pm me with your story. These will not be judged. I may give out gold for this section, it will just depend on my funding.

1st Your story - A day in the life of someone caring for/living with Autism

2nd Your understanding of Autism - You don't know anyone with Autism, but your understanding of what Autism is...

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~Autism Ribbon Symbol~

~What is Autism? Autism is a severe developmental disorder that begins at birth or within the first two-and-a-half years of life. Most autistic children are perfectly normal in appearance, but spend their time engaged in puzzling and disturbing behaviours which are markedly different from those of typical children. Less severe cases may be diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or with Asperger's Syndrome (these children typically have normal speech, but they have many "autistic" social and behavioural problems).

~How Common is Autism? According to the Centres for Disease Control, autism affects as many as 1 in every 110 children in the United States. Therefore, it is estimated that 1.5 million Americans may be affected with autism. Also, government statistics suggest the rate of autism is rising 10-17 percent annually. Unfortunately, the numbers appear to be continuing their upward climb. In fact, it is the most prevalent developmental disorder to date; according to the Centres for Disease Control, of the approximately 4 million babies born every year, 24,000 of them will eventually be identified as autistic. Also, recent studies suggest boys are more susceptible than girls to developing autism. In the United States alone, 1 out of 70 boys are suspected of being on the spectrum, with perhaps more going undiagnosed to this day. That said, girls appear to manifest a more severe form of the disorder than their male counterparts.

~What is the Outlook? Age at intervention has a direct impact on outcome--typically, the earlier a child is treated, the better the prognosis will be. In recent years there has been a marked increase in the percentage of children who can attend school in a typical classroom and live semi-independently in community settings. However, the majority of autistic persons remain impaired in their ability to communicate and socialise.

~What does it mean to be “on the spectrum”? Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means it manifests itself in many different forms. A diagnosis can range from mild to severe, and though children who have it (i.e. are on the spectrum) are likely to exhibit similar traits, they're also as individual as the colours of a rainbow, each one managing a grab bag of symptoms. While one child may rarely speak and have difficulty learning how to read and write, another can be so high-functioning he's able to attend classes in a mainstream school. Yet another child may be so sensitive to the feel of fabric that all tags must be cut off before he wears a piece of clothing, while his friend who's also autistic may not have any sensory issues at all.

~How did my child develop autism? No one knows for sure. Though it's understandable to expect that a disorder as common as autism would have a known cause, in many ways it's still quite mysterious. Recent studies suggest a strong genetic basis for autism -- up to 20 sets of genes may play a part in its development. Genetics alone, however, can't account for all the cases, and so scientists are also looking into possible environmental origins, as well as other triggers.

~Is there a cure for autism? Unfortunately, experts have been unable thus far to come up with a cure for autism. Many treatments and therapies have surfaced since the disorder has grown more visible in the mainstream press, but reputable doctors have yet to agree on any that will reverse the diagnosis. But there's hope: Scientists are hard at work every day finding a solution for this growing problem. While advocacy groups have said for years that lack of funding for research is to blame for the dearth of definitive answers, a bill known as the Combating Autism Act, which would funnel millions of dollars to developing a cure, was passed through Congress and signed by the President ensuring that $162 million has been appropriated to fund autism research, services and treatment. Until such cure is discovered, parents have been relying on early intervention programs such as applied behaviour analysis, or ABA, and play therapy to mitigate the behaviours associated with autism. For some, these treatments have proven to be very successful, helping kids on the spectrum lead a full and active life.

~How can I tell if a child has autism? No two children with autism are alike, but there are some signs that many of them share and that experts agree may be as recognisable as early as the toddler years, or even sooner. Children on the spectrum generally have difficulty relating to others; they may hardly speak, and if they do, they may not communicate in ways that other people can easily understand (they may screech loudly when they're upset, for example, instead of crying). They don't usually sustain eye contact – it's too intense -- and have trouble reading social cues. They're also prone to repetitive behaviours, flapping their hands constantly or uttering the same phrase over and over again. They may also be more sensitive than typically developing children, or dramatically less so, to sights, sounds and touch.

~What should I do if I suspect something is wrong with my child? Don't wait--talk to your doctor about getting child screened for autism. New research shows that children as young as one may exhibit signs of autism, so recognising early signs and knowing developmental milestones is important. Early intervention is key.

~How do I get my child the help he needs? You can start by making sure he has a reputable healthcare team by his side. That means finding doctors, therapists, psychologists and teachers who understand and have experience with autism and can respond to his shifting needs appropriately. Ask your child's paediatrician to recommend a developmental paediatrician with whom you can consult about the next step. She, in turn, can guide you toward various intervention programs and suggest complementary therapies. It also helps to plug into an already existing network of parents facing the same challenges as you.

~How do I deal with this diagnosis? First, be kind to yourself. It's not easy to recover from the shock of learning your child has a developmental disorder that has no known cause or cure. Accept any and all feelings the diagnosis may elicit, and try not to blame yourself: It would've been impossible for you to figure out a way to shield your child from autism completely. The next step is to arm yourself with all the facts about the disorder. Knowledge is power, and the more you know, the more capable you'll feel about navigating the daunting autism gauntlet. That said, it's also important to give yourself a “break” from autism when it becomes too overwhelming. And if you find that the diagnosis has been so crippling that you've been unable to get past it, consider talking to a counsellor or therapist. You can't — and aren't expected to — weather this storm alone.

~Will my child be able to attend school? Most likely yes. Much depends on where your child falls on the spectrum, but with your support, as well as that of doctors, therapists and teachers, your child should be able to attend school. In fact, it's his right: According to the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1990, which mentions autistic children specifically, your child deserves access to a “free and appropriate” education funded by the government, whether it be in a mainstream or special education classroom.

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I may or may not get the daily questions from these sites, so make sure you check them. wink

~Autism Speaks

~Austism Research Institute

~Autism 101

~Autism List FAQ

~SARRC

~Autism Resources

~TEAAM

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Links In.

These ribbons aren't linked to the thread, but if you want to show your support for Autism, they are small enough to add to your siggy. smile

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[img]http://www.csfgraphics.com/images/autism_ribbon.gif[/img]


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[img]http://www.thirdsectorawareness.com/sitebuilder/images/Awareness_ribbon_AUTISM-41x42.png[/img]


Feel free to use these banners to advertise this thread. smile I welcome anyone who wishes to create more banners for this event. smile

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Links Out.

If you want to be linked, send me a pm with your link/banner and I will be more than happy to add you.

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This is where I would like to send a BIG thank you to those who have helped me with this thread, be it making banners, posting, joining in with the contests, sharing your story or even sending a donation to help run this thread.

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*runs around, spreading the rainbow* wink

We are open for business. Banners are coming soon to add some pretties to the thread. smile

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