BASIC AUTISM FACTS
- Autism prevalence has risen to 1 in 68 children on average (Centres for Disease Control (CDC), 2017).
- Autism affects boys 4 times more than girls (CDC, 2017).
- Autism can co-occur with other neurological conditions: Down Syndrome, Fragile X, or Attention Deficits, to name just a few.
- No one knows what causes Autism however, environmental and genetic factors are suspected (CDC, 2017).
- People with Autism can present with a number of variable symptoms.
- Core symptoms usually include: communication and social language deficits, and repetitive behaviours.
- Secondary symptoms may include: sleep disturbances, irritability and tantrums, immune system dysfunctions, anxiety and mood control difficulties, and more.
- Children with autism often experience difficulty communicating; may repeat what they hear without understanding its meaning; and may fail to connect socially with others, including parents.
- Learn more about symptoms at autismspeaks.ca
TREATMENT: BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY WORKS!
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a widely used and effective behavioural treatment proven to change behaviours in people with autism.
- ABA works on the principle of positive reinforcement, where a person with autism is rewarded for appropriate behaviours.
- ABA uses multiple techniques to help children and adults learn to change unwanted behaviours. This is accomplished using a gradual change in level of difficulty and careful measurement to account for anything that is helping to change the behaviour.
- ABA is used to help people with autism develop basic behaviours, such as listening and looking, paying attention, and even academic skills like reading and engaging socially with peers.
- Other proven treatments include:
- Pivotal Response Treatment
- DIR Floortime
- See autismspeaks.ca for more approaches.
ONTARIO AUTISM PROGRAM (OAP)
The Government of Ontario has implemented a new Autism Program designed to put families at the centre of treatment decisions.
- Parents applying for funding can decide how it will be used.
- Funding is used to cover costs of ABA treatment. Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy are currently also funded through the OAP provided the clinician is registered.
- Parents apply by phone:
- Visit the Government of Ontario’s single point of access webpage.
- Look for the 1-800 number for your region.