When you meet one person with Autism, you've met one person with Autism

Autism is complex. Each person’s challenges with autism are different and what is true for one person may not be true for another. Even twins can manifest Autism very differently. Here is a saying that I learned, “When you meet one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism.” Persons living with autism and the professionals providing services often have more questions than answers but slowly but surely, science is validating some facts about autism.

KidLinks is helping families that come to our clinic often referred from ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) through music therapy. We see a wide range of ages and abilities and often-early intervention is key to help in building skills during music therapy sessions.

The following information was posted on Autism Speaks website:

Prevalence

• In 2018 the CDC determined that approximately 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • 1 in 37 boys
  • 1 in 151 girls
• Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.
• Most children were still being diagnosed after age 4, though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2. 
• 31% of children with ASD have an intellectual disability (intelligence quotient [IQ] <70), 25% are in the borderline range (IQ 71–85), and 44% have IQ scores in the average to above average range (i.e., IQ >85).
• Autism affects all ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
• Minority groups tend to be diagnosed later and less often.
• Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development and deliver benefits across the lifespan.
• There is no medical detection for autism.

Gina G. Glidewell, MT-BC