April declared Autism Awareness Month in South Carolina

Governor Nikki Haley has proclaimed the month of April Autism Awareness Month.

Haley believes the annual observation of Autism Awareness Month, educates the public to better understand the lifelong effects of the disorder. South Carolinians are encouraged to work together to ensure that those with autism are accurately diagnosed and appropriately treated throughout their lives.

Alice Shook, director of Berkeley Citizen, an organization providing support and services to individuals with developmental disabilities and special needs in Berkeley County, believes this is a great proclamation for those with autism.

“There has been an increase in identification of Autism, and the fact that Nikki Haley is recognizing that is a great thing,” said Shook.

According to the proclamation, autism spectrum disorder can be an incapacitating lifelong neurological disorder resulting in significant impairment of an individual’s ability to learn, develop healthy interactive behaviors and understand verbal, nonverbal and reciprocal communication.

The proclamation also states that autism spectrum disorder is the fastest growing developmental disorder affecting 1.8 million Americans, and more than 52,000 in South Carolina.

Although the exact cause of autism spectrum disorder has no been found, accurate, early diagnosis and the resulting education, along with observation, is one of the best ways to combat the disorder.