Advocacy for Autism: Its Importance and the Agency to Collaborate With

Advocating for Autism
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Advocating for Autism
Part 1
An advocacy issue related to children and families in my community is that I would like to increase public awareness of is autism. Autism is an increasingly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting up to 1 in 44 children in America (Autism Speaks, 2021). The disorder impacts how a person perceives, communicates, socializes, and learns from the age of two years and often continues throughout the person’s life. In addition to limited social communication and interaction skills, autism is characterized by restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests, delayed movement skills, anxiety or excessive worry, gastrointestinal issues, delayed language skills, epilepsy or seizure disorder, delayed cognitive or learning skills, irregular eating and sleeping habits, clumsiness, as well as aggressive and impulsive behavior (Arif et al., 2013). It is critical to raise awareness of the disorder and related issues because it promotes acceptance of people with autism as well as affected families among community members. While behavioral disturbances vary significantly between individuals, and symptoms tend to improve progressively over time, children have difficulty adjusting to normal school routines and cultures.
Educators and public members often misunderstand children and parents who have a child with autism: it is not uncommon for educators to make judgmental attitudes and comments about the behavioral disturbances demonstrated by children with autism. These comments or attitudes stem from ignorance but deeply upset affected children and their parents (Omolayo et al., 2020). Greater awareness among early childhood educators of the disorder helps eradicate stereotypes and misunderstandings. It improves educators’ ability to provide differentiated and targeted instruction and emotional support for affected children, parents, and caregivers. Early childhood providers can also play a big role in aiding children with autism to improve their symptoms as well as fostering a community culture of societal understanding and empathy (Petersson Bloom, 2020). Public awareness of the disorder also facilitates better advocacy and acceptance within the community: when members of the community have more knowledge of the disorder, they are more accepting of individuals with autism and even do their part in sharing and advocating. Broader acceptance leads to greater advocacy amongst the public and a social transition from the current deficit narrative in early childhood education circles to a more strengths-based perception.
One agency that I would like to collaborate with to help me in increasing public awareness of autism and related issues is Autism Society. Autism Society is a grassroots autism organization that has been actively involved in promoting public awareness of the day-to-day issues faced by people with autism (Reading Rockets, 2017). The agency has local and state affiliates in nearly every state that advocate for suitable services for individuals with autism. Autism Society has connected people with autism with families and caregivers to the resources they need ...