Q&A

 | The Program | Q & A | Articles | Life Stories |

 

“Autism is a severe developmental disability that is usually noted within the first three years of life. It occurs in 1 of 150 births, exists in every ethnic group and every part of the world, and is much more common in boys than girls. Before treatment, youngsters with autism exhibit very uneven patterns of development. Often, speech is absent or very delayed and children do not relate to objects, events, or other people in expected ways, nor do they respond to touch, taste, sight, or sound in the same manner as their typical peers. Many children exhibit extremely dysfunctional responses, including stereotypic movements, tantrums, and self-injury.”   (http://www.pcdi.org/whatIsAutism/generalInfo.asp)

Q:  What causes autism?
A:  “Although the causes of autism are not yet known, there is some evidence that there may be multiple causes, such as genetic factors; insults to brain development (e.g., maternal health problems during pregnancy or problems during delivery); or parents' or children's exposure to toxic chemicals.”  (http://www.pcdi.org/whatIsAutism/generalInfo.asp)                                                               BACK TO TOP

Q:  Is there a cure?
A:  No, however early diagnosis, tailored intervention programs and a support system of parents and helpers can actively help. There is evidence that playing with suitable educational products and toys can positively impact the prognosis. Like every child, a child with autism learns faster when learning is fun and DISCOVERY TOYS® products certainly are.  

Q:  How is Discovery Toys supporting the cause? 
A: Discovery Toys is also sponsoring the World’s Largest Puzzle Autism Awareness Campaign, raising funds to promote awareness for autism and to support families in need who have children with autism.  You, as an Educational Consultant, can participate directly by distributing paper puzzle pieces and spreading the word.  Click here to learn more about the campaign.

Q:  What do I, as an Educational Consultant with Discovery Toys, need to know about autism?
A:  You do not need to become an expert on autism. That’s nearly impossible for anyone. But for you, as an EC, it is important for you to know the six autism areas of difficulty. Children with autism need support to: 

A. develop independent play with some limited instruction
B. maintain sustained engagement
C. play cooperatively with others
D. talk about their play experience
E. understand when a task is completed
F. learn to pretend play  

For the Autism Toy Chart grouping the entire current DISCOVERY TOYS® product line into these autism areas of difficulty, click here.