04/03/2023
Today is Autism Acceptance Day and every April is World Autism Month! Acceptance starts with understanding that everyone’s unique experiences and concerns are valid.
Neurodivergence is overwhelming and difficult for the patient and their parents to accept and navigate. I struggle with the fact that I have a neurodivergent child every day. The words… SHE IS FINE…are words I heard a lot. This is not supportive language and can lead to hindrance in getting someone care that they need. If you or anyone you know has concerns find people who validate those concerns and get the help you/they need.
1 in 54 children are diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), up from just 1 in 68 children four years ago. In the 1990’s only 1 in every 2,500 children were diagnosed.
This trend has no sign of slowing down. The condition is still profoundly under recognized in women, trans people, black and brown people, people in poverty, and those without access to screening and therapy.
In the U.S., as many as 50% of all people who need mental health support lack access to it…so we can assume at least half of autistics in the U.S. go undiagnosed.
ASD has many comorbidities…or as I like to say codiagnoses. These include ADHD, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, OCD, insomnia, feeding issues, intellectual disability, Ehler Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, and neuropathies.
Support services can include and are not limited to OT, ST, PT, social skills groups, supplements, horse riding, karate, diet modifications, acupuncture, functional medicine, and individual education plans (IEP). It takes a village and everyone has unique needs to feel supported!
LPA will be donating to foundations that provide resources and care for under diagnosed and served populations today. Please help if you can. Some great foundations include, but are not limited to:
