April is Autism Acceptance Month, founded by Dr. Bernard Rimland in 1970. This is a month where we recognize and show kindness towards individuals diagnosed with autism. 

Autism Acceptance Month was created so more people understand what autism actually is, this relates to Dr. Rimland as his son was diagnosed with autism and he himself was unaware of the good and bad that autism presents. 

Autism is closely linked with genetics, with around 80% of all autism cases leading back to genetics.

Deven Chahal, a freshman, explains how his type of autism does not affect him much. 

“I’m diagnosed with PDD-NOS, this is like called a sub disorder as sometimes not all symptoms show.” Chahal said. “It just affects my speech a little and I remember I had trouble walking and learning to talk when I was younger.” 

Autism can be diagnosed at any age, by 9 months or when you are an adult, it depends on when people notice the symptoms, and that is a reason for this month’s creation and acceptance around the world. 

In 1972, The Autism Society with America launched an annual event called National Autistic Children’s Week, which then changed to a month-long event. Multiple organizations were made to protect and help people with autism and raise awareness about autism to the common citizen. 

Around one in 127 people are diagnosed with a type of autism disorder, and about one in 100 children at eight years old are being diagnosed with autism.  

But some disorders are not like others, some being milder and others showing clearly.

“There are three levels of autism,” says Ezra Garcia, a freshman who had done studies on Autism before. “Level one is like no need to worry; level two is noticeable and level three you need proper care to live life properly.” 

ASD or autism spectrum disorder is another part of autism. More children are diagnosed with ASD than cancer, and boys are 5 times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls.  

ASD involves the impairment of social skills, like eye contact, speech and shyness.  

Javier Cortez, a freshman who was diagnosed with a similar syndrome to ASD explains his experience.  

“I was diagnosed when I was 8 or 9,” Cortez said. “So far it’s been the same, I’ve always been scared of people, sometimes act impulsively, but my life is still pretty normal.” Explained Cortez.