April 2nd (World Autism Day) kicks off World Autism Month – a whole month where social media is inundated with articles, posts, slogans, songs and movies asking for awareness, understanding, inclusion and acceptance.
But for Autistic people and families with Autistic loved ones, it is what we ask for every day, not just a particular month.
There is nothing wrong with raising awareness, asking for inclusion and acceptance because that is what everybody wants from those around them whether they are Neurotypical or Neurodivergent.
In America, last month, the new CDC report showed that there has been an increase in children diagnosed Autistic – 1 in 36 and adult diagnoses is 2.2%. The World Health Organisation still sits at 1 in 100 children.
In South Africa, it was 1 in 68 in 2016 when I started this weblog, I am not sure what the current stats are, probably more on par with the 1 in 36 children. This is true for all third-world countries, research and resources are limited. In my country – politics, high unemployment, HIV and TB take precedence over improving the mental health of the people – that being said, the most prominent health issues in Southern Africa are HIV and TB with an increase in Diabetes, Obesity and heart disease.
A recent study was done by the University of Cape Town’s Molecular Biology department regarding Autism in Africa and South Africa, you can read it here. The study included a cohort study on the RNA and Mitochondrial expression of people on the Spectrum (this study should not be liked to or confused with the Spectrum 10K that is being run in the UK).
Studies into Autism are necessary, this is because people need to understand things that do not make scientific sense, and that is what Autism is – it does not make psychological and physical (gene expressions and body functions) sense. Autism exhibits “symptoms and functions” of various conditions and yet an Autisitc person does not necessarily have that condition with which they share symptoms. For example: An autistic child might be seen talking and laughing with themselves in different voice tones, this looks like Schizophrenia but is not. Autism does share genes with Schizophrenia and Biopolar (mood disorder), they share traits with ADHD, OCD and have anti-social behaviours. There are also many health conditions that can mimic some Autistic behaviours like stimming.
The DSM-5 does describe Autism as a difference in brain function, communication and social interaction and repetitive behaviours, it had to be present since childhood and not influenced by any learning difficulties.
Because of the the lack of understanding of what Autism really is, there is this huge disagreement among parents with a child on the Spectrum, some adults on the Spectrum and Science as to which therapy, treatment or lifestyle is best. Apart from that there are also those who prey on Autistics to get them to do stuff that would make them seem more normal and accepted by society, because it is weird not being normal, yet being different is cheered on.
But whether you are showing your support with multi-coloured hands, a blue ribbon, puzzle pieces, a rainbow infinity sign, a golden infinity sign or a blue light bulb, please do show awareness, inclusion and acceptance.
