This is Autism Acceptance Month, and one Michigan organization is working to improve acceptance of those with autism.
According to a recent study by the CDC, one in every 45 adults here in America have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The ratio is even smaller for children as the study concludes that one in every 36 children have autism spectrum disorder.
Colleen Allen, the CEO of the Autism Alliance of Michigan, believes that the number of people with autism could actually be higher than what’s been reported in the study.
“The bigger issue around identification and knowing how many people have autism is so many, especially adults, are not diagnosed or they won’t disclose,” Allen said. “So we’re really learning a lot about that, the challenges that come for adults in terms of just getting a diagnosis in terms of just getting a diagnosis and even wanting a diagnosis.”
According to the National Autism Association, autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that generally appears before the age of 3. It affects the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function.
Those with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.
