April is designated as Autism Awareness Month

Members and officials of the Autism Society of the CNMI, Public School System, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, NMPASI, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and Council on Developmental Disabilities join Gov. Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider after the proclamation signing that designates April as Autism Awareness Month. (Jayson Camacho)

Gov. Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Jude Hofschneider jointly designated April as Autism Awareness Month yesterday in the presence of the Autism Society of the CNMI and other advocates and supporters on Capital Hill.
This comes just days after the U.S Center for Disease Control reported that 1 in 68 U.S children has an autism spectrum disorder.

According to Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy System, this is an increase of over 30 percent from a 2008 estimate of the CDC.

Health officials said, however, that the new number may not mean autism is more common. Much of the increase is believed to be from a cultural and medical shift, with doctors diagnosing autism more frequently, especially in children with milder problems.

“Autism is a complex and not well understood disability that affects every ethnic group, country, and socioeconomic class,” NMPASI said.

The cause of autism is still being debated. Without any blood test or other medical tests for autism, diagnosis is not an exact science. It’s identified by making judgments about a child’s behavior.

However, the proclamation states that it is important that the CNMI become more aware of the needs of those who has it and the resources available to help them understand the world they live in so they could reach their potential.

According to Public School System Special Education director Suzanne Lizama, “PSS has also recognized the need to be able to identify kids with autism and early interaction with families. …Never let autism define what your child is going to be,” she said.

According to Lizama, PSS has about 86 students with autism.

She expressed hope that more people will obtain degrees in autism or speech therapy in order for PSS to have the necessary complement of experts on this phenomenon.

The Autism Society of the CNMI promotes, protects, and advocates the right of those with autism, with the help of the CNMI PSS, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, CNMI Council of Developmental Disabilities, and the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

In support of Autism Awareness Month, Inos is asking all citizens of the Commonwealth to learn about and understand autism and its impact on affected individuals on the island.

“We should do our part and make sure that our services in providing awareness to the community about autism is there,” Inos said.