Autism Toolkit of Georgia
Autism Toolkit of Georgia
Screens are now a big part of everyday life for kids in the United States. This is the result of changing habits in society and the fast growth of technology. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children ages two to five should spend no more than one hour on screens during weekdays and no more than three hours on weekends. However, many studies show that most kids in the U.S. go well beyond this and spend “five to seven hours a day” on screens.View Resource
Water Safety with Miss Dayna is a program that teaches families about staying safe around water. Miss Dayna is an AutismSwim certified swimming instructor who has created tools, like her “Watching Initiative,” to help autistic people stay safe near pools, lakes, rivers, and oceansView Resource
With autism rates on the rise, a lot of people are wondering why autism is becoming so common. The truth is that there is no one thing causing the rise in autism. The increase in the number of autism cases is the result of several different things coming together.View Resource
Research shows that autistic children are 160 times more likely to drown than non-autistic children. A major reason for this risk is elopement, which means running or wandering away from parents, caregivers, or safe places. About 49% of autistic people elope, and sadly, more than 70% of drowning deaths in autism are linked to elopement.View Resource
Autistic people can be especially sensitive to how different types of clothing feel. They might find certain types of fabrics to be too scratchy or they may be very sensitive to how seams and tags feel. The fit of the clothing can also be a challenge for autistic people – they may struggle with clothing that feels too loose or too tight. What feels like a mild itch or slight pressure to someone without autism might feel sharp, scratchy, or unbearable to someone on the autism spectrum.View Resource