Autism remains one of the most highly complex and least understood developmental disorders of all time. With such a varying spectrum of severity, it can leave a person completely unable to function socially or barely inhibit their daily life at all. Those unfamiliar with autism often confuse it with mental retardation. However, the disorders are quite different. Autistic people are typically highly intelligent, often exceptionally, and their difficulties come not in mental capacity but in the ability to communicate. Depending on the severity of the condition, an autistic person could be a certified genius but not be able to hold a conversation. This results in great frustration and often anger for the sufferer and those close to him or her. The origin of this disorder is as of yet unknown; some suspect there is a genetic cause, while others cite environmental factors, such as childhood vaccines, heavy metals and pesticides.
Children enjoying lunch at ADAPT4Autism's summer camp
A local nonprofit organization in Southern Illinois, ADAPT4Autism, has dedicated its efforts to making life both easier and more enjoyable for autistic children and their families. Since 2010, they have provided educational programs and pro-social therapy for autistic children, including summer and winter camps, private in-home therapy and social skills training. Their camps and programs give autistic children a chance to participate in outdoor activities and social outings, things that would normally be next to impossible given their condition. Perhaps more importantly than providing opportunities for fun, however, the program also teaches autistic children skills to make day-to-day life easier to navigate. “Now that school has started,” one parent said after the camp, “Travis is adjusting better than ever to his new classroom and new teachers. I’ll ask him each day, ‘How was school?’ He will always respond now to my questions.”
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