How Many Children Are Affected By Autism Spectrum Disorder ?
Let’s assume that you can’t make eye contact with people, you can’t express yourself, you can’t understand jokes, you always repeat some specific behaviors even you don’t want it, you, unlike other people, can’t communicate with your loved ones and you don’t have friends. How do you feel? Struggling with these things should be very hard! This is Autism Spectrum Disorder. These problems are only some of the characteristics of Autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder the fastest growing developmental disease. Autism doesn’t affect only children, it affects their families, friends, and teachers too. Children can feel lonely. All children deserve all rights in the world!
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Over The World
1% of people have Autism all over the world. Boys are 4 to 5 times more at risk than girls. Autism costs a family almost 60.000 dollars in one year. In South Korea, 2.64% of children (between 7 to 12 years old) are struggling with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In China, 1.61% of children who under 15 years old are facing with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In Australia, 1.21% to 3.57% of children (between 6 to 12 years old) are affected by Autism. In Finland, 2.07% of children ages 5 to 7 years old are diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder. In Africa, studies show that 0.1% of people have Autism. It looks like very low rate than other countries. This is because of the low possibility of research and diagnoses. More research is needed in Africa to help people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. In Great Britain, according to a research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, 1.57% of British children (between 5 to 9 years old) has Autism. In the United States of America, 1.14% of children are suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder and 35% of young adults (19-23 years old) have no job because of this disability. It means more than 3.5 million people live with Autism.
What Can We Do?
The first, biggest and easiest thing is being there for them. Trying to understand how they feel, and what are they struggling with is the most important thing for them. We shouldn’t judge, and discriminate them from other people. If we want to help them, we should give chances them to improve themselves, to learn life, and just stay there for them. Parents should talk and learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Please don’t escape from truths. Try to understand what it is, talk about it and get help for this. Don’t afraid of getting information. We can do playdates with friends and do communication exercises with our children. One of the most important things is children with Autism Spectrum Disorder should be provided with high quality and special education and should be supported in their work life. They feel better and they will be able to develop the skills they need through the education they receive. Also, please don’t forget yourself if you have someone to take care of who has ASD. Learn how to protect your psychological health.
