April is Autism Awareness Month

April is National Autism Awareness Month. Throughout the entire month I will either post or link up to other posts to help acquaint you with Autism: what it is, who is effected, and how people cope. Today we'll start with some of the basics.

Autism comes in many shapes, sizes, and manifests in a thousand different ways. For some, it can be crippling thrusting them into a world unknown to the rest of us. For others, it can be mildly intrusive requiring specialized techniques to cope with social or dietary deficiencies. Then there's all those who fall in between. No two people with Autism are alike. This alone is what makes diagnosing Autism extremely difficult.

Although no single definitive cause has been discovered, it is widely accepted that Autism is caused by abnormalities in the brain. There's much controversy surrounding all the theories that may cause the brain abnormality but scientists and researchers are working diligently to uncover the root cause of this disability in order to discover a cure. In the meantime, those afflicted with Autism and their families are left to work with doctors, care givers, and teachers to devise therapies and coping techniques to improve their lifestyle.

This issue is especially important to me since we live with it each and every day. My son, J-Man, is eight years old and is on the spectrum. I've written about this before and will dive into it a little deeper throughout the month.

All throughout the month of April, Blissfully Domestic's Special Needs channel will be featuring articles and library giveaways in recognition of Autism Awareness Month. There are also many sites to get more information about Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Society of America is a wonderfully resourceful site who is also running an online art exhibit and plans an annual summer conference to raise money and awareness. Autism Speaks is another great resource full of helpful information.

There will be a special Twitter Party April 1st 9pm EST using #mmk to discuss Autism with a panel of four expert panelist. Sitewarming Parties and Model Me Kids are co-hosting the party offering up some great door prizes but you must RSVP to be eligible. This is the first of several Twitter Parties planned for this special month.