In this Monthly Mission Spotlight, Autism Speaks highlights our latest
work over the past month to support people with autism throughout the
life span. Our Advocacy team continued to pursue government support
for greater research funding and training opportunities for caregivers
of children with autism. We also partnered with the World Health
Organization (WHO) to launch the virtual Caregiver Skills Training
program, an initiative designed to improve care for children with
autism in underserved communities. In addition, the month included
online employment events, the launch of new resources and more.

Increasing early childhood screening and timely interventions

Autism Speaks and WHO launch virtual Caregiver Skills Training

Around the world, many children with autism and other developmental
disabilities lack access to quality care and interventions. To help
these families, the World Health Organization (WHO), with support from
Autism Speaks, developed the virtual Caregiver Skills Training (CST)
program, or eCST ([link removed] ). At no cost to families, the evidence-based CST program teaches
parents and caregivers the day-to-day skills they need to help their
children reach their full potential. Learn more: [link removed]

New blog post shares the latest information about getting an autism
diagnosis

Thanks to years of research, our understanding of autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) has grown dramatically, leading to significant changes
in the diagnostic criteria for autism. In this Q&A, Peter J.
Chung, professor of pediatrics at the University of California,
Irvine, an Autism Care Network ([link removed] )
site supported by Autism Speaks, discusses the diagnostic criteria
for autism in the DSM-5. He also looks at ways the understanding of
autism has evolved and the benefits of a formal autism diagnosis. Read
more: [link removed]

Being a catalyst for life-enhancing research breakthroughs

Advocates across the country come together for the virtual 2022
Advocacy Forum & Hill Day

Early last month, 190 individuals from 30 states and Washington, DC
came together for our annual Autism Speaks Advocacy Forum & Hill
Day. Advocates participated in virtual grassroots trainings and policy
panels in preparation for a virtual Capitol Hill Day where they
collectively held over 153 meetings with members of Congress and their
staff. Legislators were petitioned to support increased federal
funding of autism research as well as cosponsor the recently
introduced Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2022 ([link removed] , a bill that would provide access to caregiver skills training for caregivers of children with autism and other developmental
disabilities.

Autism Speaks supports research to guide better interventions for
autism and its co-occurring conditions

Research shows that more than half of autistic people have four or
more co-occurring conditions. Many of these conditions have
significant effects on a person's health and well-being, so
it's important for researchers to understand their biological
causes and how they interact with autism. In this blog post, Dean
Hartley, PhD., senior director of genetic discovery and translational
science at Autism Speaks, shares how genetic testing can help people
with autism and how Autism Speaks is working to advance the field.
Read more: [link removed]

Ensuring access to reliable information and services throughout the
lifespan

Autism Speaks launches a new resource for people with a dual Down
syndrome-ASD diagnosis

Research shows ([link removed] )
that an estimated 16-18 percent of people with Down syndrome also
have autism, but finding reliable information and resources about the
dual diagnosis remains a challenge. To address this need, Autism
Speaks partnered with the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group
(DS-MIG) to create a website that shares information about the
symptoms of DS-ASD, how autism presents differently in people with
Down syndrome and links to additional resources. Learn more: [link removed]

New Q&A offers information and resources for people coping with
co-occurring conditions

Many autistic people across the lifespan experience other medical,
behavioral or mental health disorders that can create challenges and
affect their quality of life. Often, these co-occurring conditions can
make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis and manage overlapping
symptoms. In this Q&A, Amanda Bennett Palladino, behavioral
pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and
director of the Autism Speaks-supported Autism Care Network ([link removed] ) site in Philadelphia, shares some of the most common conditions that accompany autism and offers support and resources to those coping
with co-occurring conditions ([link removed] )

Read more: [link removed]

Improving the transition to adulthood

Autism Speaks hosts Pathways to Employment events in Texas, California
and Chicago

Autism Speaks hosted three virtual Pathways to Employment events in
March to empower local communities with employment information and
insights. Attendees included autistic job seekers, students,
employees, employers and providers. These events help equip, motivate
and engage stakeholder groups to create more employment and leadership
opportunities for the autism community. Learn more about Autism
Speaks' employment initiatives: [link removed]

Increasing global understanding and acceptance of people with autism

NCAA shows support for the autism community in the Coaches Powering
Forward campaign

From March 4 to 6, NCAA Basketball coaches, teams and fans across the
country displayed their support for the autism community by wearing
Autism Speaks puzzle-piece pins. The Coaches Powering
Forward for Autism Speaks campaign is an annual effort to bring
college basketball coaches, teams, schools, broadcasters and fans
together to help increase understanding and acceptance and help create
a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential.
Learn more: [link removed]


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