As the world celebrates autism awareness and support, it is vital to spread the message of the importance of early detection and intervention.
“We are much better off than we were in 2006 when Jamaica Autism Support Association (JASA) was founded. More people are, indeed, more aware of what autism is and that is always a positive, but we still have the stigma associated with it because, unfortunately, our society is one that does not readily accept differences,” CEO Kathy Chang said.
Some important facts about Autism:
According to the National Autism Association, the bio-neurological developmental disability usually presents itself by the age of three, and it is more prevalent in boys than girls.
According to JASA, one in every 68 children is affected by autism.
Boys are almost five times more likely to have a type of autism than girls. In Jamaica, of the 678 confirmed cases of autistic newborns, 545 are boys and 133 are girls.
There is no cure for autism, but it can be treated and managed through various therapies and behavioural interventions. Doctors may also prescribe medications for the treatment of specific autism-related symptoms, such as anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Autism cannot be detected through a blood test or scan. Diagnosis relies on behavioural observation and screening.
For more information, check out the JASA website at www.autismjamaica.org
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