Autism Awareness Heightens in April

COURT HOUSE – April is Autism Awareness Month; April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day.
Global in scope, autism, a developmental disability that affects more boys than girls, touches many Cape May County families. That fact was highlighted in a presentation by Superintendent Barbara Makoski of the Cape May County Schools for Special Services March 22 at the Board of School Estimate hearing.
“We have more students with autism and increased numbers of students with behaviors that inhibit their ability to be educated with non-disabled peers,” Makoski said.
“In the autism program we have a full-day preschool class, five elementary classes, and three high school classes,” she continued.
To address those students’ needs, the district contracted with an autism consultant “who originally was the autism and multiple disabilities specialist for the state who now consults and works with our staff and students in order to provide the most appropriate services to these students with autism who have extremely difficult behaviors,” the superintendent added.
“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors,” stated the website Autism Speaks.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data March 27, 2014, on the prevalence of autism in the United States. This surveillance study identified one in 68 children (one in 42 boys and one in 189 girls) as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the site stated.
An April 1 joint release issued by Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) cited a more recent CDC study that revealed the state “continues to have the highest autism prevalence rates in the nation for children, one in 41, which is up…from 2014, and well above the national rate of one in 68.” Due to that, the senators and colleagues requested greater federal investment in research and support for those with the disorders.
Menendez urged “Let’s put our money where our mouth is when it comes to autism awareness, research and support.”
Booker urged continuance to devoting “resources and funding to new innovations in intervention and treatment that will help improve the lives of millions of people living with autism.”
The senatorial letter, signed by Booker and Menendez to the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense sought $10 million for autism research through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research programs.
‘Autistic Like Me’
For its part to heighten autism awareness, Atlantic Cape Community College will host a free screening of the documentary “Autistic Like Me: A Father’s Perspective,” at 6 p.m. April 7 in Walter Edge Theater, C Building, at the Mays Landing Campus, 5100 Black Horse Pike.
“This emotionally gripping feature examines the lives of fathers and male caregivers raising and caring for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, chronicling the emotional struggle of a group of fathers as they open up to one another about the fear, disappointment and, ultimately, the acceptance of a very different parenting experience than they had envisioned. The documentary runs 84 minutes,” according to a release.
Panel members who will discuss aspects of the video include Charles Jones, director of the documentary; Jeff Cohen, father of an autistic son and featured in the movie; Chris Yoder, father of an autistic son; and Patrick Connelly, a licensed social worker. Dr. Nina Stolzenberg, Atlantic Cape’s Beacons by the Sea Visiting Professor, organized the event and will moderate the discussion.
For information on the “Autistic Like Me” presentation, contact Denise Coulter at dcoulter@atlantic.edu.
Signs and Symptoms
People with ASD often have problems with social, emotional, and communication skills. They might repeat certain behaviors and might not want change in their daily activities.
Many people with ASD also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. Signs of ASD begin during early childhood and typically last throughout a person’s life, according to CDC.