Each year, on April 2, the World Day of AUTISM Awareness is marked, an important moment to draw attention to the need for support, inclusion and access to appropriate services for people diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders (TSA)
World Day of Autism awareness-April-April Photo Pixabay Source
Autism – a broad spectrum of challenges, but also solutions, together with the “Bright Future” Association
Every year, on April 2, the World Day of Ageism is marked, an important moment to draw attention to the need for support, inclusion and access to appropriate services for people diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders (TSA).
The “Bright Future” Association joins the actions dedicated to the World Day of AUTISM awareness with activities specific to children with TSA from the “Bright Future” therapy centers and supports, until April 16, with a campaign of free complex psychological assessments.
What do statistical data say
Autism is not a disease, but a complex neurobiological disorder, with different manifestations and levels of severity. However, the early diagnosis and specialized intervention significantly increase the chances of recovery and integration in society.
Recent data shows an alarming growth in the prevalence of autism globally. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in March 2023 it was reported that 1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism.
In Romania, the National Institute of Public Health informs that the prevalence of TSA among children of primary school age reaches 14.3%. However, our country does not yet have an official statistics of people with autism, and many cases remain undiagnosed, which delays the essential therapeutic intervention.
The “Bright Future” Association supports the families of children with autism with free complex psychological assessments
In order to support the community and facilitate access to diagnosis, the Bright Future Association carries out, during the events dedicated to the day of autism, the campaign “We build together!”, Through 10 free complex psychological evaluations for all ages.
This initiative supports parents who suspect the presence of delays in the development of their children and want a professional evaluation to take measures as soon as possible. Registrations for the campaign for free complex psychological evaluations are made until April 16, from Monday to Friday, between 13.00 and 18.00, at the phone number 0737709874.
What are the signs of autism
The first signs can be observed from the first years of life and include difficulties in social interaction, lack of visual contact, language delay, unusual reactions to sensory stimuli, repetitive behaviors and difficulties in adapting changes.
“Early diagnosis of autism is essential to be able to intervene as efficiently as possible and give the child the chance to optimal development. Parents should be careful about signs such as lack of response to names, avoiding eye contact, absence of social gestures and delaying language. Through our free evaluation campaign, we want to provide access to family, and to be diagnosed. The therapy for autism can be settled through CNAS, thus facilitating access to quality interventions “, said Anda Băcanu, psychologist, speech therapist and behavioral analyst within the “Bright Future” Association.
To whom and when we address
The first visit will be to the pediatric psychiatry doctor – it will glorify the diagnosis of the child; A consultation is indicated from the first signs, even from the age of 9-12 months.
There is a visit to a behavioral analyst and it will evaluate the child’s abilities in all areas of development: receptive language, visual performance, vocal imitation, social interaction, expressive language, coarse imitation, syntax, SA
The specialist will determine what the age of development is on all these levels and what a gap between the age of development and the chronological one; A consultation is indicated from the first signs, even between 9-12 months.
Finally, the speech therapist can be needed – if the child is vocal and already has language acquisitions such as speaking in short sentences or in other words a level of language as a 3 -year -old, but presents pronunciation disorders, or other speech therapist, then the speech therapist is indicated.
On the World Day of Age -awareness, we invite you to be with us in the mission to support children with TSA and their families. Through information, early diagnosis and access to specialized services, we can build a better future for these children together.
The “Bright Future” Association in Bucharest was established in 2016, at the initiative of Andei Băcanu and Mirea Bîrsășteanu, ABA program coordinators, psychologists and speech therapists. Currently, the activity of the association is carried out in three centers dedicated to children with autism or other development problems.
More information about the activity of the association and how it can be supported, find here:
www.asociatiabrightfuture.ro
