Dear Readers,

It’s always gratifying to witness the excitement National Autism Awareness Month and World Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd) bring to families worldwide. There are various ways people can get involved, including autism awareness programs, conferences, and fundraising events. And with millions of people diagnosed with autism around the world, opportunities to improve knowledge, understanding, and acceptance deserve to be applauded.

I saw a flyer the other day offering a sensory-friendly storytime at my local library. To me, that piece of paper spelled significant progress. I also noticed that the local city ballet and children’s theater both offer special performances with dimmed lights, headphones and fidget toys for those with sensory disorders. Not only do children on the spectrum benefit from attending events that accommodate their needs, but opportunities like this introduce the greater public to autism. I’m hoping people not familiar with autism will be inspired to learn more. And when more people understand, the more people with autism will gain well-deserved respect. As a community, we need to build on this.

I asked nationally recognized autism advocate and civil rights attorney Areva Martin if she, too, has seen a positive shift in awareness and inclusion over the years. As the mother of a teenager on the autism spectrum, Areva well knows the challenges of bringing up a child with special needs. She said, “I definitely think there has been a shift in terms of awareness as evidenced by national media campaigns, inclusion of the topic on the Democratic presidential debate stage, and the recent autism bill signed by [President Donald] Trump. All of these are positive developments for the autism community.” And she agreed we need to maintain this momentum, adding, “There is still much work to be done in terms of inequities with respect to diagnosis, treatment, and services for low income and underserved communities.”

Do you find it difficult to balance this autism journey? For autism families knee-deep in daily life, it’s not about finding a cure; it’s about early diagnosis and intervention. It’s about introducing the greater community to autism to gain a better understanding of the needs of ALL people. And it’s about finding reliable autism resources and assistance. Don’t worry—we can help.

An autism diagnosis is different for everyone, which can make finding the right therapy and solutions for a child with autism more challenging. Have you ever considered equine therapy? Jill Dorsey Mansor, the owner of Raise Your Dreams Farm, says equine therapy can help a child with autism reach physical, psychological, cognitive, behavioral, or communication goals. Look at her piece Changing Lives Through Equine Therapy to learn how equine therapy has helped children with autism grow and develop confidence.

Amy Wagenfeld, PhD, OTR/L, SCEM, FAOTA, says gardening offers numerous therapeutic rewards for kids with autism, including improved sensory, olfactory, tactile, and fine motor skills. As principal of an organization working with designers to create therapeutic landscapes, Amy illustrates in her piece The Rewards of Gardening Therapy for Kids on the Autism Spectrum the exciting ways you can engage your child using nature.

Have you considered the ways tablets, smartphones, and their accompanying apps can be used as tools to help children with ASD build essential skills? According to Elisa Cruz-Torres, EdD, BCBA-D, the use of visual supports has proven to help kids with autism with task completion, and advancements in technology have provided various options for creating these supports. Read How to Incorporate Technology to Build a Lifetime of Skills to discover ways to integrate technology into your child’s learning via parent coaching and video prompting.

Is time management an issue in your household? Today’s families have so many commitments and outside pressures—it’s no wonder life becomes overwhelming at times. If you want to learn to prioritize and build daily balance while reducing stressors, read Top Ways to Approach Time Management When Life Becomes Overwhelming With ASD written by Sara R. Colorosa, PhD.

Five years ago, I wrote an article about an extraordinary young woman named Siri Chettipally and her mother, Swathi. Twenty-two years old at the time, Siri had recently discovered a talent for creating handmade jewelry and was garnering the attention of fellow artists. With minimal social and language skills, Siri found working with her hands a rewarding way to express herself. But the road was not an easy one. As many autism families discover, the transition to adulthood can be a struggle. To learn how a business venture helped bring a mother and daughter together, read Swathi’s very personal piece, The Long Road to Connecting Mother and Daughter With ASD. Their story is inspirational.

Our writers have tackled many significant topics for us this month such as how to make informed decisions when preparing your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), how to create a sensory scrapbook when designing a sensory-friendly bedroom, and how different tech resources can help those with autism break into the world of independent employment. You will also want to read the piece on how you can help first responders better understand autism. This article can benefit people all over the world.

It takes everyone—families, teachers, doctors, friends—to advocate for understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. No matter how big or how small your contribution is, be a voice for change.

Kind regards,

Amy KD Tobik
Editor-in-Chief