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International Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on 2nd April with the aim to spread awareness about Autism and make people understand the challenges faced by those with developmental disorders. April 2, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously affirmed as international Autism Awareness Day from 2007 after the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities came into force.

The United Nations has had a theme for the celebration of World Autism Awareness. This year, the theme is ‘Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World’.

What is autism?

Autism, also known as an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complicated condition that includes issues with communication and behavior. People with autism have difficulty communicating with others by repeating the same word. They have trouble understanding what other people think and feel. This makes it hard for them to express themselves, either with words or through gestures, facial expressions, and touch.

Nowadays, more children are diagnosed with autism than ever before. But the latest numbers could be higher because of changes in how it’s diagnosed, not because more children have a disorder. Some people with autism can carry out their daily activities but some people have great difficulty in reading and learning. The rate of autism is higher in men than in women.

The rate of autism across all regions

The rate of autism across the world is high. An estimated 1% of the population (62.2 million globally) are on the autism spectrum as of 2020, According to a US study. It is estimated to affect more than 2% of children (about 1.5 million) as of 2016. Men are diagnosed four times more frequently than women.

The statistics of autism may vary in all countries and regions of the world, but it is found at some level in each country. The lack of understanding in this regard has a great impact on the persons as well as their families and communities. So, developing a helpful approach in this regard can be probable by having bigger awareness about autism and methods to tackle it to make a kind-hearted and caring society.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Diagnosis of any disease can be made from its symptoms. The main symptoms of autism include communication difficulties, social disability and repetition of the same word over and over.

The difficulty in communicating is that people with autism use fewer words during the conversation, which are often less than necessary. The limit is that they also have difficulty repeating the words they have heard. The ability to imagine also decreases, which gets worse with age.

One can note the symptoms of the disorder from early days that is from the age of fewer than three to four years. Though, until many children grow up, this disorder is not diagnosed. The symptoms include the inability to perform daily tasks, trouble in building relationships, paranoia and limited and repetitive abnormal behaviour.

Autism treatment

Technically, There’s no cure for autism. However, early treatment and various methods are used to improve the behavior and learning ability of people with autism.

Firstly, there is a big need for sympathy for the children and adults suffering from autism or disorder. Do listen to their issues and admit their struggle with getting angry or infuriated. The kids should be taught to express anger without no getting aggressive. The children require to be counselled that don’t have to conceal their frustration and anger within.

Need for the right attitude

Usually, in our societies, the people with disabilities including autism are seen as a pariah or an outcast. People try to stay away from them and even go to the extent of irritating and make fun of them.

Therefore the international Autism Awareness Day serves an imperative role to develop an inclusive and caring society to make sure that adults and children with autism can live a life with dignity.

Shunning Stigma and discrimination

Discrimination and disgrace are still common with regard to disabilities associated with neurological mess Autism. These two reasons serve as hindrances to the therapies and diagnosis of autism. The policymakers and society in general in particular require working on how to deal with the issues of discrimination and stigma in this regard.