Autism Awareness Month


Tuesday is World Autism Awareness Day, and April is Autism Awareness month
Read full article: Tuesday is World Autism Awareness Day, and April is Autism Awareness monthApril is autism awareness month. According to the WHO, about 1 and 100 children have autism. While autism awareness is growing, there is still a lot of confusion about what it is and how it affects people.

‘Understanding, accepting, embracing:’ How these twins with autism inspire their community
Read full article: ‘Understanding, accepting, embracing:’ How these twins with autism inspire their communityFor Anthony and Sammy Taormina, there are two dates that define their lives as people with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.

‘What should more people understand about autism?’ Your responses are so important to read
Read full article: ‘What should more people understand about autism?’ Your responses are so important to readConsidering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought we’d ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps you’ve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?

Teacher’s perspective: ‘If you have met one child with autism, then you have only met one child with autism’
Read full article: Teacher’s perspective: ‘If you have met one child with autism, then you have only met one child with autism’A teacher who helps preside over a program for students with autism, Carrie Jones knows full well some aspects the general public might not understand.

Autism workshop helps bridge the gap for those on the spectrum
Read full article: Autism workshop helps bridge the gap for those on the spectrumChildren with autism are often overlooked during the transition from high school to adulthood, but a workshop at the Hotel Roanoke today helped parents and supporters bridge the gap.

Preparing for Halloween: How trick-or-treating may look different for those with autism
Read full article: Preparing for Halloween: How trick-or-treating may look different for those with autismWhatever you’re greeted with, not greeted with, or what trick-or-treaters come to your doorstep on Halloween night, one thing is for sure: “A little kindness goes a long way.”

Carilion Clinic needs participants for new study to tackle autism symptoms
Read full article: Carilion Clinic needs participants for new study to tackle autism symptomsCarilion Clinic is calling on families to help in a study to potentially improve irritability, aggressive and self-harming behaviors through the gut, rather than the brain.

Roanoke family shares how COVID-19 pandemic challenges affected children with autism
Read full article: Roanoke family shares how COVID-19 pandemic challenges affected children with autismCOVID-19 led to major learning loss for children, but without interaction and an inability to have therapy, children with autism faced a much greater challenge.

4-year-old has a truly unforgettable day at his happy place. And no, it’s not Disney World or Chuck E. Cheese.
Read full article: 4-year-old has a truly unforgettable day at his happy place. And no, it’s not Disney World or Chuck E. Cheese.Jaxon Maples is a 4-year-old boy with autism, and many days, he has trouble communicating and speaking clearly. But there is one place where those things aren’t a problem for him.

Tell us: What’s something you wish more people understood about autism?
Read full article: Tell us: What’s something you wish more people understood about autism?Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought we’d ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps you’ve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?

5 activities for children with autism who’ve been under stress, anxiety due to the pandemic
Read full article: 5 activities for children with autism who’ve been under stress, anxiety due to the pandemicOne way to cope with any extra stress or anxiety is to have the kids engage in play time to help develop motor skills, social skills and language development, according to Dr. Jen Harstein, a children’s developmental psychologist who works with autistic children daily.

What is autism masking? Understanding this complex survival strategy in adults
Read full article: What is autism masking? Understanding this complex survival strategy in adultsAutism can be explained medically as a bio-neurological development disability, but to get into the nuanced details is quite a bit more complicated.

Young man with autism authors book about inclusion, aims to stock school libraries and educate all
Read full article: Young man with autism authors book about inclusion, aims to stock school libraries and educate allFor much of his life, Timothy Rohrer, a now-young adult who was diagnosed with autism as a second-grader, has dealt with exclusion from his peers.

Officer helps in rescue of teddy bear after boy with autism makes 911 call
Read full article: Officer helps in rescue of teddy bear after boy with autism makes 911 callA young boy’s parents are grateful to a police officer who showed up at their home after an unusual 911 call from their 12-year-old son with autism.

Take note: This teen with autism wrote the perfect guide on how to treat people
Read full article: Take note: This teen with autism wrote the perfect guide on how to treat peopleAfter dealing with exclusion by his peers over the years, Timothy Rohrer, a now-young adult who was diagnosed with autism as a second-grader, penned and published a pamphlet in which he basically guides people on how to treat those with disabilities.

Musical not just adapted for children with autism, it was designed just for them
Read full article: Musical not just adapted for children with autism, it was designed just for themThe creators of the show, “Farm! A Musical Experience,” designed the play specifically for children with autism, and for other kids who are neurodiverse.