Community Insigh Presented by AMITA Health AMITA shines a blue light on Autism Awareness The most stress-reducing and calming color is blue and it's perfect that on National Autim Awareness Day, AMITA Health celebrated by "lighting it up blue." On April 2, the health system's facilities turned their outdoor lights blue and the women and children's hospital shone in the color of the sky and seas. According to Maria Bellantuono, the Clinical Director of the Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders Resource Center (ASDDRC) associates donned blue that day. "We are sending out awareness email blasts with information on Autism Spectrum Disorder throughout the month tables at various sites; and the month will end with an AMITA team at the Autism education should be individualized Speaks Walk on June 1 in Chicago." ave informational Maria Bellantuono, Clinical Director It helps to keep in mind that an ASD diagnosis does not define a child, it is ASDDRC, under Bellantuono's direction, helps the underserved and identifies any s something a child has," she reminded "We should build on children's strengths and give them opportunities to be gaps in services. "We have a team of six individuals dedicated to do all they can to help anyone who contacts the center," cdrn. she explained. "As director, I make sure What should you do when your child gnosed? "First consider has been dia our team is engaged with the community and we have the latest help the families. We provide training on autism to the community and within our made by the diagnosing physician," she said. "Early intervention mportant and should be one of the first steps. Then continuing onto school keep informed about teaching methods for your child." Today, there are myriad therapies from which families can choose. "We continue to recommend evidence based interventions that meet information to recommendations The number of services is impressive keep including free screenings for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), resource assessments and consultations. "Our goal is to help families navigate the best practices such as applied behavior overwhelming world them with appropriate resources," she said. "We want families to know they have a place to call with any question and we will do our best to help because raining we realize how important community is in raising a child. We collaborate with community partners such as Northwest Special Recreation and Northwest Special 755-8536 and ask for the AMITA- Education Co-Op, and are part of the Northwest Autism Consortium Group of ASD and connect e analysis also known as ABA therapy At the ASDDRC, we provide individual therapy, social skills groups, and parent The expert noted that consistency and structure are very helpful for children with ASD. " families are unsure what to do, they can always call (847) iS structure are very MB-AHBHHHE Resource Center; or Ballantuono, MA, LCPC, NCC, explained ema tahealth.org. It's a free service." that each child with Autism Spectrum ami Disorder is unique, so treatment and AMITA HEALTH