AUTISM INTERVENTION AWARENESS IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Abstract

Autism is a disorder caused by differences in the brain that lead to difficulties in communication, social interactions, restricted or repetitive behaviors, and differences in learning methods (What is autism spectrum disorder? 2022). Eastern North Carolina (ENC), along with the majority of the east coast of the United States, has a higher prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as compared to the rest of the nation. This information provided an opportunity to further educate our region and community on autism intervention resources for greater awareness. Through this secondary research study the intention of guiding families to local interventions and informing them on differences in each type of available intervention was focused on. To educate on resources for families of children with ASD, it was necessary to know what interventions are currently available in ENC and what interventions are highly supported and effective. To conduct the research both quantitative and qualitative data from previous studies was compiled and analyzed. The data found was from scholarly and reliable sources that provided in-depth explanations of the interventions’ backgrounds and effectiveness. From the compiled results it was clear that rural counties of ENC are lacking in autism interventions compared to those in urban counties such as Greenville, N.C. and other central North Carolina counties. Of the interventions studied it was evident that Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is most widely used, with many other types of interventions stemming from this therapy. Overall a mix of interventions was recommended to best support children with Autism. The study also discusses interventions that have been effective in areas outside of ENC that would be beneficial to bring into our rural communities. This research could allow more families to give their children the support that they may need in order to succeed and live healthy lives.