This is a partnered guest post.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnoses have been on the rise in recent years, researchers say, and the incline is dramatic. According to Autism Spectrum Australia, ASDs have impacted 1 in 110 kids in recent years, where previous estimates from as little as 7 years ago totaled 1 in 160 children. As statistics stagger educators, parents and healthcare professionals alike, it becomes increasingly evident that the circle of impact for Autism is much wider than just the individuals or families directly affected. The increasing diagnoses do not, necessarily indicate a higher actual percentage of occurrence, but a greater understanding and acknowledgement of the incidence of ASD.

Early intervention is the key to management of an ASD diagnosis, as is full family involvement. The component that is often overlooked is the critical involvement of the community surrounding those directly impacted by a diagnosis. ASD includes anything from Asperger’s Syndrome to full-blown Autism and everything in between. Every individual is different and every family is impacted differently. However, some compelling statistics drive home the importance of community involvement across the entire spectrum of diagnoses. It is estimated that 80% of marriages in a home with an ASD diagnosis will end in divorce. Many parents face depression, anxiety and anger over the initial diagnosis and after the first shock has worn off. Additional stressors for families include financial, social and academic areas of impact. A child diagnosed with Autism will require additional therapies, some of which can be covered by schools, but most of the time, it falls on individual families to find the right type of help for each unique child. It is up to each family to determine their needs and pursue help. Parents often find themselves feeling isolated and overwhelmed by the balancing act of maintaining life and the multi-faceted challenges of parenting an ASD child.

Parents need to seek the help of support groups, counselors and peers who are willing to walk the road of an ASD diagnosis with them. What few people seem to really grasp is that the diagnosis is often as difficult for parents as it is for the child facing the disorder. Fortunately, the growing awareness and number of diagnoses means that today’s ASD families have a much greater shot at success than those who’ve gone before and paved the way. From the family health insurance companies that offer coverage and advocacy for ASD-related treatments and therapies to a growing awareness of the full impact of this disorder, the world around these families today is much more hospitable. An ever-increasing presence of not-for-profit organizations designed to support and prepare families to face the unique challenges of ASD also stand in the gap for these families. Parents of current-day ASD children are still largely responsible for seeking out their own help, but today, much more is available to these families.

As members of our local and global communities, it is imperative that we begin to familiarize ourselves with the needs of families facing ASD. If it takes a village to raise a child, then it takes the effort of that same community to surround and support families facing ASD. It is no longer an individual struggle. Families impacted cannot remain silent, but must be enabled to lean on the community surrounding them for support and backup on the long road ahead of them.

Despite the dramatic increase in the presence of Autism support today, there is still a great need. The disorder has made its debut onto the scene of our social sphere, and needs to be met with continual support and increasing means to meet the needs. Community is the greatest possible ally for families encountering a life of juggling and balancing the priorities of all aspects of life and the unique responsibility of ASD.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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