Dear St. Lukers and community,
As you may know, April is Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month. The rate of Autism Spectrum Disorder has grown greatly, and today it is thought that 1 in 44 children are on the spectrum.
I am glad I was asked to share with you something about Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD. My younger son has ASD and it is not an easy journey. Our small family of four does not have an extended family in the USA, and I'm so grateful that I have found a village of love, care, and support among the St. Luke's community as we journey through this life and its challenges.
Autism is a serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact with others. It impacts the nervous system. Despite there being no cure, therapy can help individuals improve their abilities to function reasonably well in society. Individuals with autism can live happy, meaningful lives. If there is greater awareness and acceptance, these individuals can integrate better into society.
Our son had speech delays and this led us to investigate further. Suffice it to say that as parents, we were devastated when we received a diagnosis of ASD when he was 3 and a half years old. I remember...
