ADVOCATES FOR AUTISM OF MASSACHUSETTS

Vision

Bringing together people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, their families, their friends, their advocates and those who provide support, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) speaks with one voice to build the capacity of our communities to welcome, fully include and support people with ASD.

Mission

Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts will strive to ensure the human and civil rights of individuals of all ages across the entire Autism Spectrum and to promote the availability of essential supports so that they may live fully and enjoy the same opportunities as other citizens of the Commonwealth. We will educate individuals with ASD, their families and other AFAM members/supporters to be effective, vigorous agents of change.

Guiding Principles

In our work we will:

ensure respect and dignity for individuals with ASD and their families by promoting positive views and valued roles for children and adults with ASD;

seek to identify and eliminate the barriers facing people with ASD in Massachusetts;

work in partnership with policy makers, educators, practitioners, disability groups and other advocates to build consensus and momentum for improving and expanding supports and resources for people with ASD;

seek ways to empower people with ASD and their families to direct the course of their lives with needed, flexible supports and take full advantage of available resources;

recognize that each person with ASD is unique and that the most effective supports are those that are individualized;

work to include individuals with ASD in all aspects of AFAM’s efforts.

What is Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills and communication and the existence of repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. The learning and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. *

According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism is diagnosed in an estimated 1 in 36 children. Males are four times more likely than females to be identified with autism.  Autism occurs in all racial, ethnic and socio-economic groups.

Each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. Autism often is accompanied by medical issues such as gastrointestinal disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances. Many people with autism also have sensory issues. These can include aversions to certain sights, sounds and other sensations.

Autism’s hallmark signs usually appear by age 2 to 3. Often, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Some associated developmental delays can appear even earlier.

* In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association merged four distinct autism diagnoses into one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They included autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.