Celebrating our differences during World Autism Month

Andy didn't say 'mama' until he was just shy of his fifth birthday. For his mom, Chelsey Senko, that moment was most rewarding of all.

During World Autism Month, parents like Chelsey are hoping that everyone will take the time to learn about autism spectrum disorder and how you can better support patients, colleagues and others with ASD.

"An autism diagnosis can be really hard on families, but it is also so rewarding. There are some milestones that I think we sometimes take for granted."

Chelsey's advice to parents who are noticing differences in their child's development is to trust your gut.

"If you think that there may be something going on, it's really important to trust yourself and advocate for yourself and your kid," she says. "As a parent, you know them better than anyone else."

Andy has received therapy at Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital since he was 2 years old. He has learned a variety of communication methods, including using a speech generating device, sign language and body language.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, one in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder.

Just 10 years ago, that number was one in 68, and in 2000, the number was 1 in 150.1.

"Autism is a spectrum disorder, so every patient with autism is unique," says Gina K. Song, Andy's pediatrician at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva. "I try to understand where patients diagnosed with ASD are in their development and help families get the appropriate support they need."