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Parents, MPs, advocates mark World Autism Awareness Day on steps on Parliament
Wed Apr 2 2014 Section: OnLine Byline: Meggie Sylvester

OTTAWA - Kim Peterson says her son Ryder was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old, though signs were noticeable when he was just two. "Ryder's pretty good," said Peterson of her son as he stood next to her Wednesday. "He's had a lot of therapy since he was four, so we don't have a lot of challenges." Like a lot of families who care for loved ones with autism spectrum disorder, Peterson, a programmer with the federal government, says she and Ryder rely mostly on private services for therapy and support. "There are (social services available), however there's waiting lists for everything," she said, "so a lot of things we have to do privately." Peterson, along with members of Parliament and other ASD advocates, came together on Parliament Hill Wednesday in support of World Autism Awareness Day. Conservative MP Mike Lake spoke to a crowd of about 150 people with his son Jaden, who was diagnosed with autism as a young child. "I was talking with another father earlier today about the experience of having your child melt down in a grocery store or restaurant," said Lake, "and how incredible it feels to have someone come by, put their Infomart

hand on your shoulder, and just let you know that they understand." Jaden is 18 and non-verbal, said Lake, making it harder for people to communicate with him. But what he enjoys most is his job at a library back home in Edmonton. According to Autism Speaks Canada, a research and advocacy organization in Toronto, Autism now affects one in 68 children, with boys being five times more likely to be identified with ASD than girls. The new estimate, according to Autism Speaks, is 30 per cent higher than the estimate for 2008, and 120 per cent higher than for 2002. Despite the increasing number, Peterson admits the disorder continues to be widely misunderstood by the majority of Canadians. "Almost everyone you know knows at least someone who is effected by autism," she said. "There's a lot of misconceptions out there that need to be set straight." Autism facts . Most children identified with ASD are not diagnosed until after age four, even though children can be diagnosed as early as age two.

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. The Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance is conducting a national needs survey now available online for families and caregivers. According to Suzanne Jacobson, founder of Quickstart, it will help to determine the growing need for autism services in Canada. . More than 800 children have been seen by medical specialists through the Getting Started Services Clinic in Ottawa, and 75 to 80 per cent of those children have autism. . Children who have autism often experience sudden outbursts, often triggered by a change in schedule or unfamiliar setting, and stims (also known as stimming). Stimming refers to specific behaviours such as rocking, head-bobbing or repetition of words. . Research shows that with early intervention, treatment services can significantly improve an autistic child's development. Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen 2014 Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved.

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