2 April World Autism Awareness Day

2 April World Autism Awareness Day Abdi İbrahim Otsuka (AİO) Medical Directorate marked 2 April World Autism Awareness Day with the campaign "#Don't Say That! Draw a Line Against Prejudice," drawing attention to misconceptions and misinformation about autism in society. The "Don't Say That" movement launched by AİO is conducting an effective fight against the stigmatizing language that individuals with autism face in society. Abdi İbrahim Otsuka Medical Directorate compiled common misconceptions about autism on the occasion of 2 April World Autism Day. Within the framework of efforts to draw attention to prejudices against autism and individuals with autism and to raise awareness, AİO's slogan for this year is: "#Don't Say That! Draw a Line Against Prejudice." Autism, defined as a complex neurodevelopmental difference that is congenital or emerges in the first years of life, is thought to be caused by certain nervous system issues affecting the brain's structure or function.

Can Be Seen Regardless of Economic Status or Geography

Autism spectrum disorder, which has no connection to factors such as economic status or child-rearing practices, can be found in every geography, every society and family. The most important factor in treatment is early diagnosis. In approximately 50 percent of children who receive early diagnosis and intensive education with the correct method, autism symptoms can be controlled, and some children with autism may not differ from their peers by adolescence. An increase in autism prevalence has been observed since 2006. Today, autism is seen in 1 out of every 44 children. Since autism cannot be defined by a single set of symptoms, the diagnosis of autism has been replaced by autism spectrum disorders. Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by delay or deviation in the development of verbal and non-verbal skills necessary to meet needs such as social interaction, understanding others and self-expression. This condition is often accompanied by restricted areas of interest and repetitive movements. Symptoms typically appear in the first three years of life.

1. Impairment in communication and social development areas,
2. Repetitive, restrictive interests and behaviors,
3. Impairments in these areas being evident before 30 months of age.

Early diagnosis, timely and appropriate intervention and education are important factors that positively affect treatment outcomes in autism. However, raising public awareness is equally important as these factors. Individuals with autism and their families are excluded by certain segments and subjected to negative approaches due to prejudices and incomplete information. The "Don't Say That!" movement conducted by AİO, which has attracted considerable interest, is pioneering efforts to change such stigmatizing language and behavioral patterns in society and to raise awareness. AİO's slogan for this year as part of World Autism Day is "#Don't Say That! Draw a Line Against Prejudice." The aim is to break down false and unfounded stereotypes in society such as "they cannot communicate" and "they cannot empathize" directed at individuals with autism.

Early Diagnosis Signs in Autism

- Lack of eye contact, deficiency in visual tracking, - Not looking when called by name, - Not imitating; delayed development of skills such as blowing kisses, waving goodbye, - Absence of social smiling, - Lack of response to noise, attention-grabbing movements, insufficient response, - Low social interest and repetitive behaviors (continuously hitting a hand against something, spinning a car wheel, etc.), - Prolonged lack of visual attention, - Fixation on an object in the environment and withdrawal from social interaction, - Making meaningless sounds from 12 months onward, - Absence of hand, arm and head movements (for example: pointing, waving goodbye), - Absence of single words at 16 months, - Absence of spontaneous two-word sentences at 24 months, - Not responding to parent's attempts to play and interact, - Repetitive stereotyped movements (meaningless hand clapping, swaying, spinning, etc.), - Deficiency in emotional facial expressions and mimicry, - Sometimes exaggerated and sometimes insufficient response to sensory stimuli such as touch, sound, pain, - Behaving as if not recognizing the mother, giving the impression of not needing the mother, - Unexplained and inconsolable distress by caregivers, - Difficulty with solid food intake.