April is Autism Acceptance Month — a time to recognize those on the autism spectrum, provide support, improve access to services and celebrate neurodiverse identities.
Autism is a developmental disability, meaning it displays itself during the pediatric period, according to senior scientist at the University of Wisconsin Waisman Center and director of the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Leann DaWalt. Autism is characterized by challenges with social communication as well as the presence of intense interests and repetitive behaviors, DaWalt said.
“Autism is defined by a set of behaviors,” DaWalt said. “There’s not a blood test for autism. When you do an evaluation, you’re gathering all the different sources and information you can about the child to try to make a determination if their behaviors are consistent with autism.”
Autism is a wide spectrum and impacts individuals with a range of different needs. Some individuals on the autism spectrum may be minimally verbal, present codependent patterns or have very significant support needs. Some students with autism enrolled at UW may choose when or when not to disclose their autism, DaWalt said.
The Waisman Center focuses on research, clinical service, training and outreach in order to expand knowledge surrounding developmental disabilities and neurodegenerative disorders, according to DaWalt.
Current research topics scale from neurons to neighborhoods, meaning basic science and genetics all the way to real world services, strategies and support for people with disabilities, DaWalt said. Maureen Durkin is currently pioneering research focused on the epidemiology of developmental disabilities by focusing on Wisconsin counties to evaluate the incidence of autism, DaWalt said.
On the clinical side, the Waisman Center offers specialty healthcare clinics in partnership with UW Health and behavioral and communicative support within the community. Through training of high school students to post-doctoral fellows, they can observe and learn in order to pave the way for the future of developmental and neurodegenerative research, DaWalt said. Finally, outreach at the Waisman Center aims to share the cutting edge research completed on the UW campus with the entire state, according to DaWalt.
“It’s very consistent with the Wisconsin Idea, which means that everything that is happening here on campus is for our whole state and so we feel that very deeply throughout the Waisman Center,” DaWalt said.
Support for individuals on the autism spectrum in Wisconsin doesn’t stop at the Waisman Center. UW student organizations such as Badgers with a Heart are working to promote community wide-awareness, provide support and foster understanding and advocacy toward individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities, according to Vice President of Badgers with a Heart Annika Ziperski.
The main goals of Badgers with a Heart are building community, raising awareness at meetings, educating about neurodegenerative disorders and cultivating inclusive practices, according to Ziperski. Badgers with a Heart is primarily focused on volunteering along with managing partnerships within the Madison area, including the Autism Society of Wisconsin, Ziperski said.
“Interacting with different communities is very eye-opening and it lets me see through other people’s eyes,” President of Badgers with a Heart Mila Gille said. “It really helps with your empathy, communication, and team building.”
Through the Autism Society, Badgers with a Heart participates in a sensory-friendly Halloween party, an annual walk for autism and picnic and co-social events such as cookie decorating, according to Ziperski. Other partners of the non-profit student organization include TOPSoccer and ACT.
Badgers with a Heart is preparing both Ziperski and Gille for their future careers. The organization has provided them with practice observing students and recognizing when they are facing a challenge and may need assistance, Ziperski said. Additionally, building relationships with students and practicing how to best support them has been a valuable aspect of the club, according to Ziperski.
“Getting to know them as a person first — not seeing their disability, but seeing their ability, is so important,” Ziperski said.
For Gille, a neurobiology and zoology student on a pre-med track, Badgers with a Heart and the autism community has shown her how to truly advocate for those around her and learn more about disabilities, according to Gille.
Both Badgers with a Heart and the Waisman Center are stepping up to support disabled communities. Self-determination, or the idea that individuals control their own destiny, is at the forefront of these organizations, to ensure those on the autism spectrum are able to live the life of their choosing, DaWalt said.
“We all probably know someone on the autism spectrum,” DaWalt said. “It’s so important to be accepting of all developmental differences, including autism and that people with autism are able to access the services we can support that they and their families need so they can thrive and be a part of our community.”
