Autistic children
„Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Autistic disorder, sometimes called autism or classical ASD, is the most severe form of ASD, while other conditions along the spectrum include a milder form known as Asperger syndrome.“
Every day, our brains interpret the things we see, smell, hear, taste, touch, and experience. But when someone´s brain has trouble interpreting these things, it can make it hard to talk, listen, understand, play, and learn.
Kids with autism often can´t make connections that other kids make easily. For example, when people smile, you know they feel happy or friendly, when people look mad, you can tell by their face or their voice. But many kids who have autism spectrum disorders have trouble understanding what emotions look like and what another person is thinking. They might act in a way that seems unusual, and it can be hard to understand why they´re doing it. They also might have trouble learning the meaning of words, adjusting to changes like trying new foods, having a substitute teacher, or having toys moved from their usual places. They do the same things over and over, like saying the same word or move their arms or body in a certain way.
Nobody exactly knows what causes ASD. Scientists think that there´s a connection to genetics and the environment. Some kids might be more likely to get autism because it runs in their families. Other kids get it even if nobody in their family has these types of problems. Males are four times more likely to have an ASD than females.
There is no cure for autism, but doctors, therapists - psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist , and special education teachers can help kids learn to communicate better. A kid might learn sign language or get a message across by pointing at pictures. The care team also can help improve a kid´s social skills, stuff like taking turns and playing in a group. Therapies like musicotherapy or hippotherapy also can be helpful.
For the parents of autistic children is always difficult to deal with their diagnosis. They need a great amount of patience and strength to be able to handle that.
Photographed kids in this project attend a school where are integrated between healthy schoolmates. It is better for each group. Healthy kids can help the autistic ones to improve, so they can do understand their disorder and thus learn to be more patient. There should not be more than six students in the class, because each of them need an individual approach. The class where they are placed always depends according to the level of disability.
Some kids who have mild symptoms will graduate high school and may go to college and live on their own. Many will always need some kind of help. But all will have brighter futures when they have the support and understanding of their families, doctors, teachers, therapists, friends and society.
