According to the most recent studies, one in 150 school-age children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurobiological developmental disorder that manifests during the first years of life and that lasts throughout the entire life cycle .
Today we celebrate the World Autism Awareness Day, and the motto chosen for this year's campaign is "Let's break down barriers for autism together. Let's make an accessible society." And, unfortunately, there are many barriers that children with autism still face, but it is up to everyone to help tear them down.
Detection and diagnostic barriers
For many families, this is the main barrier that their children face, since there is currently no recognized biological marker that can quickly diagnose autism. Thus, sometimes the diagnosis is late, after months (or even years) of suspicions and fruitless consultations.
Despite the fact that after 12 months, or even earlier, warning symptoms may appear, many parents find themselves with opinions of the environment that call them "alarmist" or "exaggerated", or even with the advice of waiting for See how the child is evolving.
However, according to experts, "waiting" is precisely what should be avoided, since early diagnosis and treatment will improve the child's prognosis.Barriers in early care and education
But once autism has been diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team, families are again faced with barriers to early care and education that the child should receive.
And it is essential for the treatment of children with ASD to facilitate early, flexible and personalized attention, which combines both social services, such as education and health. Likewise, parents should receive adequate information, means and resources to address this disorder.
With regard to education, children with ASD have the right to study in an ordinary school but duly prepared to respond to their educational needs, giving them personalized, inclusive and quality care at their different stages, and combining ordinary education with TEA supports and classrooms.
Barriers in social integration and accessibility
For children with autism, everyday actions such as going to a hairdresser or a shopping center, waiting to be treated by the pediatrician in a crowded room, or excessive noise or lights, are very annoying situations that can alter them.
Therefore, families of children with autism do not tire of asking for understanding, awareness and sensitivity, urging everyone to be supportive, respectful and to treat people with autism as equals, holding out their hands and helping them in their integration.
We can all do a lot for children with autism, educating our children in respect and tolerance for others, removing labels, and informing us, and informing them, without prejudice about this type of disorder.
Because with our example, education and empathy we can eliminate one of the main social barriers these children face.Barriers in employment and independent living
One of the biggest concerns of parents of children with autism is knowing what will happen to their children when they are gone, or if they can live independently in the future. For this, it is important that families receive the maximum information and advice, in order to understand what their children's needs are, now and in the future, and what is the best way to support them.
At a social level, the access of people with ASD to continuous training, as well as employment, should be facilitated, offering necessary and alternative support through personalized itineraries coordinated by the different administrations involved.
Likewise, it should promote the access of adults with ASD to independence from the family home, enjoying the resources and support necessary for it.
We all form the society in which vivismo, so it is in everyone's hands (each one from our small plot of action) to avoid the obstacles faced by people with ASD. Let's break the barriers! Let's bet on the integration and let's make an accessible society.
