2008 Woodie Awards
April marks Autism Awareness Month
By Kelly Duncan
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: Features
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which affects every autistic child to a different degree, affects one child in 150 in the United States and one in 94 in New Jersey, according to a study done in early 2007 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disorder is more common in boys and is usually noticeable during the first three years of a child's life.
ASD affects basic functions of the brain and typically impedes a child's communication skills and ability to interact with others. Symptoms include resistance to change, difficulty expressing needs, frequent tantrums, and learning and social difficulties. Despite what many myths say, however, these troubles do not mean that autistic children are incapable of learning or expressing love.
"They're just like most other kids, in the sense that they're pretty sheltered, innocent, honest and funny," Rachel Prakash, junior special education and Spanish major, said. Prakash participates in an after-school program at the Eden Institute, an educational organization for autistic children located in Princeton.
Although there is no known cure for autism, organizations like the Eden Institute work toward early diagnosis of the disorder and provide intervention programs, the surest way of controlling autism. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) also guarantees free public education for autistic children, tailored to their specific needs.
"It is an incredibly rewarding experience," Liz Beck, junior psychology major, said about working with the Eden Institute. "When the kids run up and hug me, or hold my hand or smile or laugh, it is a reminder that they're doing so because of the combined help of myself and my co-workers. Knowing that these kids have a place where they are accepted and understood, rather than ridiculed and ignored, makes me realize that, though it can be frustrating at times, it is ultimately worth it."
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