April 2017

I have been on vacation so not much this month!

The aim of this month is educate the public about autism. Autism is a complex mental condition and developmental disability, characterized by difficulties in the way a person communicates and interacts with other people. Autism can be present from birth or form during early childhood (typically within the first three years). Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with no single known cause.1a. Just a Thought A – AlwaysU – UniqueT – TotallyI – Interesting

S – Sometimes

M – Mysterious

1b. The First Autism Awareness Month

The first National Autism Awareness Month was declared by the Autism Society in April 1970.

The aim of this month is educate the public about autism. Autism is a complex mental condition and developmental disability, characterized by difficulties in the way a person communicates and interacts with other people. Autism can be be present from birth or form during early childhood (typically within the first three years). Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with no single known cause.

People with autism are classed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the terms autism and ASD are often used interchangeably. A wide spectrum disorder, people will autism have set of symptoms unique to themselves; no two people are the same.

Increasing Awareness About The Common Characteristics Of Autism

Whilst no two people with autism will have the same set of symptoms, there are common characteristics found in those with this complex disability. Briefly, these characteristics include:

Social Skills � people with autism have problems interacting with others; autistic children do not have adequate playing and talking skills. Mild symptoms on one end of the spectrum may be displayed through clumsy behavior, being out of sync with those around them and inappropriate or offensive comments being made. At the other end of the spectrum an autistic person may not be interested in others.

Empathy � empathy is the ability to recognize and understand the feelings of another person. People with autism find it harder to show empathy to others although they can be taught to acknowledge the others feelings.

Physical Contact � in some cases, autistic people do not like physical contact such as hugs, tickling or physical play with others.

Sudden Changes To Their Environment � a sudden change in the surrounding environment may affect a person with autism. The could be a loud noise, a change in intensity of lighting or even a change in smell.

Speech � speech can be affected in people with autism. ‘Echolalia’ is a typical speech symptom in which the person repeats words and phrases that they hear. The speech tone of an autistic person may be monotonous. Where symptoms are more extreme the person may not speak.

Changes To Behavior and Routine � people with autism often display repetitive behavior in which they repeat the same action many times over. For example, a person with autism may repeatedly pace around a room in a certain direction. Any change to their behavior or routine can be unsettling for them. This could be a reordering of daily activities such as when a person brushes their teeth, takes a shower and has breakfast when they get up in the morning.

2. Earth Day 2017

3. Fun Facts about April

April Facts

The 4th month of the year brings us April Fools’ Day, Earth Day, and the chance for some rain.

According to early Roman calendar, April was the second month but became fourth when they started to use January as the first month. The name originally came from Aprilis, meaning ‘to open’. In April, small animals that were hibernating usually come out and the birds fly back northward to settle, bees and butterflies begin to gather nectar. In some parts of the world, April is planting time but in other parts, it’s the harvest season. Because of the nice warm weather of April, amateur athletes begin to go outside while the professional baseball begins. People usually do huge spring cleaning and mowing. The first day of April begins with April fool’s day.

Below are some fun facts about April:

The birthstone for April is the diamond.
The zodiac signs for April are Aries (March 21 – April 19) and Taurus (April 20 – May 20).
The birth flower of April is typically the Sweet Pea or the Daisy.
Global Child Nutrition Month
Humor Month
Mathematics Awareness Month
The Revolutionary War in America began on April 19, 1775.
April 23rd is known as the Feast day of the Patron Saint of England.
On April 30, 1975, General Duong Vanh Minh surrendered and the Communist forces captured Saigon which led to the end of the Vietnam War.
On April 4, 1818, a flag that contained 1 star for each state and 13 stripes was adopted by Congress.
In Fayette, N.Y. on April 6, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith.
On April 6, 1917 the United States declared war on Germany in World War I.
On April 4, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed.
On April 11, 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island of Elba and he was abdicated as Emperor of the French.
Good Friday – Friday before Easter Sunday
April 1 – April Fools’ Day
April 5 – Arbor Day
April 22 – Earth Day
Thai New Year in Thailand
Khmer New Year in Cambodia