How Autism is Effecting the World

How Autism is Effecting the World

Aired Thursday, 5 September 2019, 4:00 PM EST / 1:00 PM PST

Pennie and Matthew will be discussing Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which refers to a broad range of conditions characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centres for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States and UK today.

We know that there is not one autism but many sub-types, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and in some cases, live entirely independently.

Several factors may influence the development of autism and it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues.

I hope you can join us as we discuss this emotive subject and listen with hope at some of the case histories we will discuss.