Didlake
  • Donate | 703-361-4195 or Toll Free 866-361-4195 |
  • Contact Us | Employee Login
Didlake
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Commitment to Quality & Exceptional Service
    • Executive Leadership
    • Affiliations & Memberships
    • Corporate Credentials & Licensing
    • Community Outreach and Partnerships
    • Integrity: Our Whistleblower Policy
    • Blog
    • Didlake in the News
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Contact Us
  • Our Services
    • Business Services for Government
      • Didlake Core Capabilities – NAICS & NIGP
      • We Deliver Expert Knowledge & Exceptional Quality
      • Partner With Us
    • Business Services
      • Didlake Document Imaging
      • Didlake Photo Imaging
      • The UPS Store 6272 at George Mason University
      • The UPS Store 6631 at Center at Innovation
  • Our Programs
    • Day Support Program
      • The Community Engagement Program
      • The Group Day Program
      • Volunteerism — A Day Support Activity
      • Tour Our Program Locations
      • Eligibility | Funding & Payment Options
      • How We Work With You
    • Employment Services Program for People with Disabilities
      • Didlake Supported Employment Services
      • Pre-Employment Transition Services for High School Students
      • Transitioning from High School to the Workforce
      • Our Employment Services Team
  • Support Our Mission
    • Disability Resources for Businesses
    • We Create Opportunities
    • Support Didlake
    • Advocacy
  • Careers at Didlake
    • Apply for a Job
    • Disability Documentation Requirements
    • Reasonable Accommodations
    • We Invest in Our People
    • AbilityOne® Program Jobs

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopment disorder that affects the way the brain functions. The autism spectrum is broad and varied and no two people are alike. Each person has their own strengths and abilities that everyone should celebrate.

What is Autism?

April 28, 2023 / Didlake / Blog

Little boy looking out of the windowAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability that impacts how people communicate and interact with the world. It affects individuals from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. In March 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the prevalence of children diagnosed with ASD has grown to 1 in 36 8-year-old children.

The primary characteristics of ASD are:

  • Deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, which can include:
    • Difficulty with normal back-and-forth conversation
    • Difficulty initiating or responding to social interactions
    • Differences with facial expressions and tempo of speech
    • Difficulty sharing in imaginative play or making friends
    • Challenges understanding social cues
  • Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities,
    which can include:

    • Narrow fields of interest
    • Strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects
    • Difficulties with transitions
    • Rigid thinking patterns
    • Stimming/Hand flapping
    • Echolalia
    • Hypo- or hypersensitive to sensory input

Autism affects each person differently. A person with ASD may have:

  • Different ways of communicating (with words or without words, communication devices)
  • Sporadic movements for expression (waving hands, jumping, pacing)
  • Difficulty changing from one topic or task to another
  • Strong ability to focus on a subject or topic
  • Strong attention to detail

Labeling someone as low or high functioning isn’t an accurate description, and it undermines the hard work that many people on the spectrum put in each day. Instead, focus on their abilities and support needs.

The autism spectrum is broad and varied and no two people are alike. Each person has their own strengths and abilities that everyone should celebrate.

For more information about Autism, visit the VCU Autism Center for Excellence or Autism Society of America.

Related Posts

Work Team with Puzzle Pieces connected together

Working and Interacting with People on the Spectrum

May 20, 2020
Young Asian businesswoman interviewing for a job while discussing the resume at office.

Making a Great Impression in a Job Interview

January 30, 2023
Volunteer benefiting from the value of volunteering with non-profit organizations.

The Value of Volunteering

January 22, 2021
Autism Acceptance Month poster with a man smiling and text #CelebrateDifferences and The connection is you.

Promoting Inclusion During Autism Acceptance Month

April 25, 2022
Man whisking with two adults cooking in background

How to Choose a Quality Day Support Program

May 20, 2020
alt=""

Staying Engaged Virtually

September 7, 2021
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Commitment to Quality & Exceptional Service
    • Executive Leadership
    • Affiliations & Memberships
    • Corporate Credentials & Licensing
    • Community Outreach and Partnerships
    • Integrity: Our Whistleblower Policy
    • Blog
    • Didlake in the News
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Contact Us
  • Our Services
    • Business Services for Government
      • Didlake Core Capabilities – NAICS & NIGP
      • We Deliver Expert Knowledge & Exceptional Quality
      • Partner With Us
    • Business Services
      • Didlake Document Imaging
      • Didlake Photo Imaging
      • The UPS Store 6272 at George Mason University
      • The UPS Store 6631 at Center at Innovation
  • Our Programs
    • Day Support Program
      • The Community Engagement Program
      • The Group Day Program
      • Volunteerism — A Day Support Activity
      • Tour Our Program Locations
      • Eligibility | Funding & Payment Options
      • How We Work With You
    • Employment Services Program for People with Disabilities
      • Didlake Supported Employment Services
      • Pre-Employment Transition Services for High School Students
      • Transitioning from High School to the Workforce
      • Our Employment Services Team
  • Support Our Mission
    • Disability Resources for Businesses
    • We Create Opportunities
    • Support Didlake
    • Advocacy
  • Careers at Didlake
    • Apply for a Job
    • Disability Documentation Requirements
    • Reasonable Accommodations
    • We Invest in Our People
    • AbilityOne® Program Jobs
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

you can help create
opportunities too

Discover What You Can Do

Didlake Logo

(703) 361-4195
(866) 361-4195 (Toll Free)

(703)-369-7141

[email protected]

Support Our Mission

 

Ability One Program Logo ISSA Member Logo ISSA Member CARF Logo Didlake is an ASQE Proud Member

SWaM LogoAPSE Logo Maryland Works Logo

 

WAI Level A Compliant

  • Employment Services Program for People with Disabilities
    • Didlake Supported Employment Services
    • Pre-Employment Transition Services for High School Students
    • Transitioning from High School to the Workforce
    • Our Employment Services Team
  • Day Support Program
    • The Community Engagement Program
    • The Group Day Program
    • Volunteerism — A Day Support Activity
    • Tour Our Program Locations
    • Eligibility | Funding & Payment Options
    • How We Work With You
  • Business Services for Government
    • Didlake Core Capabilities – NAICS & NIGP
    • Expert Knowledge & Exceptional Quality
  • Business Services
    • Didlake Document Imaging
    • Didlake Photo Imaging
    • The UPS Store 6631 at Center at Innovation
  • About Us
    • Affiliations & Memberships
    • Blog
    • Community Outreach and Partnerships
    • Contact Us
    • Corporate Credentials & Licensing
    • Didlake in the News
    • Integrity: Our Whistleblower Policy
    • News
    • Our Commitment to Quality & Exceptional Service
    • Our History
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Pay Your Invoice
  • Careers at Didlake
    • Apply for a Job
    • Disability Documentation Requirements
    • Reasonable Accommodations
    • We Invest in Our People
    • AbilityOne® Program Jobs
  • Support Our Mission
    • We Create Opportunities
    • Support Didlake

©2023 Didlake Inc. – All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.
Website Design by Outer Banks Media

Didlake
Top
  • Donate | 703-361-4195 or Toll Free 866-361-4195 |
  • Contact Us | Employee Login