Early diagnosis for autistic children is crucial to allow earlier intervention, which can truly make a lifelong difference. For example, with early diagnosis, children can begin therapies, be better understood by their caregivers and families, and develop communication and social skills to improve their overall success. When children are diagnosed earlier, they receive support sooner, leading to better outcomes later in life.
Autistic individuals often thrive off routine and predictability and prefer to stay in familiar environments. However, it is important for autistic people and their family members to seek out a variety of environments so that they can gain exposure to different sensory experiences. Frequent outings build adaptability and encourages lifelong engagement within the community
Masking, also referred to as camouflaging, is when autistic people change their behavior to better “fit in” with their social environment. It can help autistic people interact with others but it can also cause mental distress to the autistic person.
Autistic people who are very sensitive to food textures might eat a lot of "ultra-processed foods." Ultra-processed foods are foods that have been significantly changed from their original form by undergoing extensive industrial food processing.
Sensory rooms are carefully designed environments that provide users with a range of sensory experiences in a safe and relaxed way. They allow users to explore touch, sight, taste, smell, hearing, balance, movement, and internal/external body awareness all at their own pace.