Families of children with autism face significant challenges. Experts and parents discuss some of these challenges and suggest priorities to consider for balancing the entire family’s needs.

Upon receiving a diagnosis of autism, family members experience strong emotions, often including a sense of loss, grief, anger, sadness and/or guilt. In moving through these emotions, families learn there is hope for a future that can include great satisfaction for all family members.

All behavior serves a function – usually it is either communicative or self-regulatory. Learn how to take on a detective role in figuring out why a behavior is occurring and how we, as partners, can help a child learn more effective strategies to get their needs met.

About 1 in 59 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. ASD is almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189). It is essential that community members have an understanding of individual differences and promote inclusive environments for all to participate in.

This engaging and compelling video provides an introduction to autism and touches on many related topics including family perspectives, core challenges of autism, and treatment options.

Many families take a diagnosis of autism as an opportunity to reevaluate family values and reconsider what success means to both the child and family.

Does autism effect children throughout the world? Watch this video to learn more about this intriguing question.