Health and Wellness Blog

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability that affects approximately 70,000 people in Ontario.  Typically it appears in the first three years of life and it is four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls.

        Some early signs that your child may be autistic include:

•         -Delayed speech or no words by 16 months
•         -Doesn't make eye contact
•         -Doesn't seem to hear you — appears deaf
•         -Indifferent to people including paren'ts — resists cuddling
•         -Prefers to play alone — not interested in playing with children
•         -Develops repetitive movements such as rocking or spinning
•         -Requires specific routines or rituals

For a more complete list of symptoms, go to the Mayo Clinic article about autism, Autism Speaks Canada or Autism Canada.

The Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto provides a list of services for children and their paren'ts and caregivers including skill building groups, support groups and circles, respite, and much more.

Subscribe to the Autism Speaks Official Blog or register for E-speaks Newsletter.

Check out the Library's recent books about autism for more information.  To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the cover or title link; 

The First Year: Autism Spectrum Disorders	Making Sense of Autistic Spectrum Disorders	Children with High-Functioning Autism

Empowered Autism Paren'ting	Healing Our Autistic Children	Motivate to Communicate!