Autism

April 2nd is the annual World Autism Awareness Day, a day of massive significance for the autism community and those who love and support them. The day serves as a time to recognize the value of neurodiversity by celebrating the unique strengths, differences, and perspectives that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) bring to the world while not underscoring the challenges they and their loved ones face, sometimes daily. Celebrating the day helps promote greater global awareness and autism acceptance for those experiencing neurodiversity, fostering better life outcomes in ASD through greater community understanding and tolerance.

Innovative programs like DAAY Court (Detention Alternative for Autistic Youth) intersect with the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis or ABA therapy to support young individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they manage the complexities of the legal system, which can be distinctly tricky for this vulnerable population at times. Sadly, research shows that many young individuals with autism are more inclined to become offenders or victims or be arrested. This research is problematic for a variety of reasons, including the revelation of a legal system that is unable to offer the appropriate care or hold the proper training to foster safer, more appropriate interactions with authorities for those living with ASD.

Cancelations in ABA therapy are bound to happen. As we all know, life gets a bit chaotic at times! Often, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder receive anywhere from 20-40 hours of ABA therapy a week, which means there are times when treatment will have to be postponed, cut short, or canceled altogether. Unfortunately, this can also lead to incomplete services, which can be detrimental. While understandably, families go on fabulous vacations, kids get sick, and rescheduling does happen if cancelations in ABA become a reoccurring trend in your loved one’s ABA course of treatment; it can become problematic for various reasons.