Autism is what many people still misunderstand. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals communicate, behave, and interact with the world around them. It’s not a disease, and it’s not something that needs to be “fixed.” It’s a unique way of experiencing life.

Embrace Autism: A Shift in Understanding

The movement to embrace autism is about more than awareness—it’s about acceptance, inclusion, and appreciation of neurodiverse minds. Embracing autism means:

• Recognizing each person’s strengths and challenges
• Promoting inclusive education and environments
• Encouraging neurodiversity as a form of human variation—not a deficit

💙 At Tikvah Family Services and Autism Center for Kids, we support the mission to embrace autism by offering customized therapy, family education, and community support.

Autism is what many people still misunderstand- Is Autism Genetic? What the Science Says

Autism is what many people still misunderstand -A common question from parents is: “Is autism genetic?”
Research shows that autism has a strong genetic component, though it’s not always inherited directly. Instead, it’s influenced by:

• Multiple genes interacting with each other
• Environmental factors during pregnancy or early development
• Random genetic mutations (de novo mutations)

Having a sibling or parent with autism may increase the chances, but no single gene “causes” autism. It’s a complex interplay of biology and environment.

What Causes Autism? The Current Understanding

Scientists don’t know a single cause of autism. Instead, they believe autism is caused by a combination of factors, including:

• Genetics: Multiple genes are involved
• Prenatal risks: Infections during pregnancy, low birth weight, or complications
• Brain development differences: Certain areas of the brain may develop differently in autistic individuals

What causes autism is still being studied, but one thing is certain: vaccines do not cause autism. This myth has been thoroughly debunked.

Autism Awareness Month: Spreading Understanding and Acceptance

Every April, we celebrate Autism Awareness Month, a global effort to:

• Increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism
• Highlight the need for early intervention and access to therapy
• Encourage the world to shift from “awareness” to acceptance and inclusion

Organizations like Autism Speaks, CADDAC, and Tikvah Family Services participate by:

• Hosting educational events
• Promoting inclusive activities
• Supporting families with resources and workshops

✨ You can get involved by wearing blue, attending events, or supporting autism-focused services.

Autism What? Let’s Talk About Real-Life Autism

When people ask, “Autism what?”—they’re often looking for real-life examples, not textbook definitions.

Here’s what autism can look like:

• A child who flaps their hands when excited
• A teen who struggles to make eye contact but loves math
• An adult who avoids loud places and prefers routine

Autism doesn’t always look the same—it’s a spectrum, and every person is unique.