Windsor celebrates World Autism Day

Charlie Huynh, left, plays with Noah Butler at The Summit Centre for Preschool Children with Autism in Windsor April 4. (Photo by: Sean Previl)

 

People across the world are raising awareness for autism and Windsor took part in a worldwide celebration to help the cause.

Windsor participated by raising their flag in front of city hall to show their support for World Autism Day, April 2.

“I would say (World Autism Day is so important) because it has garnered global attention,” said Trudy Richards, head of the Windsor and Essex County chapter of Autism Ontario. “If we all have awareness of what autism is and what autism represents and we’re all on the same page and we’re all celebrating on the same day, it means that we’ve come so far with autism and autism awareness.”

Richards said creating awareness is what gets the world closer to ending the stigma.

“If we make one more person aware of what autism is and what the statistics are then we are that much further ahead with getting rid of all the misunderstandings,” said Richards.

Autism affects around every one in 100 people in Ontario, according to Dr. Marcia Gragg, associate professor of psychology at the University of Windsor and clinical director at The Summit Centre for Preschool Children with Autism.

Gragg said in comparison to other places in Canada and around the world, Windsor has great benefits for autism diagnosis and awareness.

“The minimum time it (takes) to get a diagnostic assessment is six months,” said Gragg. “In most places it’s 12 to 24 months just to wait to get an assessment. Here in Windsor it’s four to six weeks to wait.”

Gragg said early diagnosis is beneficial for a child with autism.

“Parents want to get that diagnosis as young as possible so their children can have treatment. We know the younger they get treatment, the more progress they make,” said Gragg.

Cheryl Huczel, office administrator at Autism Services Inc., said one of the issues with autism is people don’t understand it is a disability with a wide spectrum.

“You can go from non-verbal all the way up to the person can function and they can be verbal,” said Huczel. “It’s a very very large spectrum and there’s a lot of people who just do not understand it.”

If parents or friends require assistance or wish to learn more about autism they can contact Autism Ontario at (519) 250-1893.