April is Autism Awareness Month!
As some of you know, autism affects an estimated 1 in 44 children across the U.S. and can present in a spectrum of ways for people with some living seemingly uninterrupted lives while others face significant challenges. Each person who is diagnosed with autism has their own set of challenges and unique talents that allow them to perceive the world differently than their non-autistic friends and family.
According to Autism Speaks, autism is caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors that come together to develop each person's unique version of autism. According to their research, autism tends to run in families. Changes in certain genes increase the risk that a child will develop autism. If a parent carries one or more of these gene changes, they may get passed to a child (even if the parent does not have autism). Other times, these genetic changes arise spontaneously in an early embryo or the sperm and/or egg that combine to create the embryo.
From an environmental perspective, there are a few indicators that increase the risk of autism with the most common being advanced age of a parent, pregnancy/birth complications, or if pregnancies are within a year of one another. However, there are some ways to help decrease the risk of autism developing with the most important being access to prenatal vitamins that include folic acid.
Locally, Lansdale resident, veteran, and Captain of Lansdale’s American Legion Post 206 Bob Gordon has been helping raise awareness and funds for autism research through the Eagles Autism Challenge. Based on the 2020 TRICARE report to Congress, there were an estimated 34,361 military autistic children in fiscal year 2019, including an estimated 20,735 children from active-duty military families. Their families face all the emotions and challenges that accompany having a child diagnosed with autism, compounded by the realities of military service: war, extended family separation, frequent moves, varying access to specialized healthcare, and other stressors that complicate and often work against effective treatment for children with autism.
If you have the means and the ability to support Bob’s mission of supporting autism research and care for families that cannot afford it, please consider donating here. As a community of over 18,000 people that means an estimated 400 people in our community are on the autism spectrum. It is incumbent on all of us to help better understand autism and how we can help those with autism live full and vibrant lives so we all can continue to move forward together.
(Mayoral Musings is a weekly op-ed column submitted to North Penn Now, courtesy of Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert.)
See also:
Mayoral Musings: Next Week is Library Week
Mayoral Musings: Lansdale Police Receive Pennsylvania Police Chief’s Association Accreditation
Mayoral Musings: Main Street Manager Vote
Mayoral Musings: Lansdale’s Road Work Plan for 2022
Mayoral Musings: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman to Make Campaign Stop in Lansdale Wednesday
