Upcoming Events
- 9/11/2008
- Variety Club Camp Gala
- The first annual Variety Club Camp Gala will be honoring three individuals from Montgomery County who …read more...
- 9/12/2008
- 4th Annual Thomas J. Cassidy Golf Outing
- The 4th Annual Thomas J. Cassidy Golf Outing is held in honor of Thomas Cassidy, a …read more...
- All Events »
Introduction to Autism
Contact:
Gail Stein, LCSW
Phone: (610) 584-4366 x 1044
E-Mail:
Facts
- Autism affects 1 in 150 births.
- There is a 4:1 ratio of boys to girls.
- Autism crosses all barriers: racial, ethnic, religious, social, cultural, economic, educational, etc.
- Autism is a spectrum disorder, and although it is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults with autism can exhibit any combination of these behaviors in any degree of severity. Two individuals with the same diagnosis are very likely to be very different from one another.
Possible Characteristics
- Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
- Possibly using gestures or pointing instead of words
- Echolalia, repeating words or phrases
- Laughing (and/or crying) for no apparent reason
- Preference to being alone
- Difficulty in mixing with others
- Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled
- Little or no eye contact
- Sustained odd play; lining toys up, spinning objects
- Obsessive attachment to objects
- Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
- No real fears of danger, or excessive fears
- Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity
- Uneven gross/fine motor skills
- Acts as if deaf, although hearing tests in normal range.
*as described by the Autism Society of America
Our Mission
- To provide a strong support and training network for families, care givers, and care providers of children with Autism to give families a sense of connection, belonging and information.
- To enhance quality of life opportunities for families and care givers which match family lifestyle and advocacy needs.
- To work collaboratively and partner with other resource support networks in order to expand the umbrella of aid that children and their families receive in the Delaware Valley: primarily in Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties.
