World Autism Day

[Arianrhod]

Oops, forgot to post this yesterday. Oh, well, better late than never.

April 2 was World Autism Day, a day to spread awareness of the world's fastest-growing developmental disability. Its prevalence has grown in just the last couple of decades from about 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 150. Autism is characterized by social and communicative deficits, repetitive behaviors and narrow, unusual interests (like, say, watching the same video over and over, or playing the same computer game all the time).

Just thought I'd mention it here since online gaming tends to attract some of the higher-functioning autistic types - for some, it's pretty much the only social interaction they get (or can tolerate). So next time you meet someone ingame who has no clue, socially, try to keep in mind they might have some autism-related issues, and don't be too hard on them, or too hasty to assume they're just jerks

[Deadz]

As a new father, and someone who works in IT for a company that supports developmentally disabled adults ( i started off as a care giver there) I would like to say thanks for the heads up. THis is a serious issue that really has a heavy impact on the lives of families everywhere. 1 in 150 kids today.

[Grosbeak07]

/signed

My daughter has a rare genetic disorder that has symptoms that can mimic Autism at times, so I know what a living hell it can be 24/7 as well as all those wonderful, understanding looks you get in public.

All I can say is thank goodness for DDO or I would have gone crazy long before now!