While Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is something which affects many different people, it's also something which can be confusing or difficult to understand for family and friends. The Sunrise Health Region held an ASD awareness event to help teach people about the condition.
Eileen Deswiage, ASD Consultant for the Sunrise Health Region, says the goal was to raise awareness of autism in the community, as well as inform people about the services available and the strategies they can use to care for children with ASD. She says for many families, it can be scary, since there are many different things which could happen with autism, since it is a spectrum. She says kids on the spectrum can have just social issues, or have more severe problems which they need help with.
"One of the great sayings about it is that if you know one child with autism, you know just one child with autism, because it's a spectrum," Deswiage says.
The event took place so people know how to get the help and support, Deswiage says. She notes that there are different supports within the community, in home and in school, and it's important for families to know they exists.
"There are many tools and many strategies that can help with all sorts of behaviors, with communication, and just to build awareness," Deswiage says.
She also emphasizes that there are many different supports offered within the community, and it's best to talk to an expert within the community in order to ask the questions that might come up.
"There's a lot of info out there, some good, some not so good, so it's good to ask the experts and we're here to support the families," Deswiage says.
She encourages people who would like to know more to visit the Children's Therapies website at http://www.sunrisehealthregion.sk.ca or call Children's Therapies at 786-0179. She says that they are there to help whichever way they can, and will direct families to the different services on offer.
