Warzone AsiaBoard

Several organizations around the world have designated April as the National Autism Awareness Month in the US, a movement that other countries are mimicking around the world. Other organizations have created the paralell Autism Acceptance Month, during April as well. In NationStates, we would like to host the NS's Autism Acceptance and Education Week

As the different movements in the Real World have political differences, we've decided to run this week in our own way, for which I would like to invite all Regions to paint their WFE Purple, and help us educate those who do not understand what Autism is, assist those who would like to know more, and "promote acceptance and celebration of autistic people as family members, friends, classmates, co-workers, and community members making valuable contributions to our world"

But, what is Autism? Autism is not an "illness", and when people refer to “Autism” today, they are usually talking about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), which are five complex, brain-based disorders that affect a person’s behavior as well as social and communication skills. The Centers for Disease Control describes ASDs as: “developmental disabilities that cause substantial impairments in social interaction and communication and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests. Many people with ASDs also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, and reacting to different sensations. The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASDs can vary—from gifted to severely challenged. An ASD begins before the age of 3 and lasts throughout a person’s life.”

Why Acceptance? "Because autistic people are you friends, family members, children, partners, co-workers, fellow-citizens, customers, and neighbors. Because autism is a natural part of the human experience. Because autistic rights are human rights. Because autistic people can speak for themselves, and they want you to listen to us. Because autistic people aren’t going anywhere. Because this is their world too. Because there are all kinds of minds, and this world is big enough for all of us."

Sensory processing

Autistic people process and use their senses differently from most people. They are are more intense, and more difficult to understand and manage or less intense, and harder to use. Every autistic person is different, and so is their experience.

Because their senses can be overwhelming or hard to use, many autistic people engage in repetitive movements. These repetitive motions--rocking back and forth, flapping hands, tapping fingers repeatedly against palms, twirling, shaking a string of beads in front of their face, etc.--are known as motor stereotypies, or “stimming.” Stimming helps an autistic person sooth and calm themselves, regulate their senses, process the environment, and think clearly.

Language and Communication

Around 20% of autistics do not develop oral speech. These autistics use augmentative and alternative communication
methods such as typing, sign language, picture exchange, pointing, and other methods to communicate. Many autistic people, even people who can speak, also need to use some of these communication methods in their everyday life to say what they really mean. Most autistics do develop the ability to speak. Some autistics develop speech later in life than their peers. Some autistics develop speech, but primarily communicate by repeating things other people have said. This is called echolalia.

Some autistics have fluent oral speech. Their language might be scripted, verbose, literal, circumspect, or otherwise different. They might have a difficult time with grammar, pragmatics, or social communication. Most autistic people also have a hard time with receptive communication, which means they might have a hard time understanding what another person is saying, especially if they are using language abstractly or metaphorically.

Motor Skills

Many autistic people have delays in fine or gross motor skills or coordination. Sometimes this leads to an additional diagnosis of dyspraxia or apraxia. For some autistic people, this means that oral speech is impossible, or that pointing, shoe tying, initiating movement, and other things are difficult or impossible.

Cognition

Many autistics might be described as “rigid,” “inflexible,” or black-and-white thinkers. They may not be comfortable with ambiguity, change, or lack of structure. Or they may seem particularly ritualistic, compulsive, or detail-oriented. Many autistics have problems with executive functioning--the ability to stay on task, pay attention, switch between tasks,
initiate new tasks, use their memory effectively, and control impulses.

Some autistics also have a diagnosis of intellectual disability or a learning disability. Autism is not the same as an intellectual or learning disability, but some people have both. Research is finding that the number of people who are both autistic and intellectually disabled is much lower than it used to be thought.

A common characteristic of autism is hyper-focus, or “perseveration”: intense focus on one subject, special interest, or part of a larger system or object. This can be anxiety-producing (for example, perseverating on whether or not you remembered to turn the stove off,) incredibly useful (for example, an autistic person who is obsessed with astronomy might have a very successful career studying their interest) or just fun or relaxing (for example, stamp collecting).

Social Behavior

Autistic people may have a difficult time reading other people’s body language, tone, and nonverbal cues, and often have unique or eccentric ways of communicating and expressing non-verbally. This can also make it difficult for us to interpret the nonverbal communication of others.

Many autistic people find eye contact uncomfortable or may forget to or be unable to make it at times when it may be socially expected. The ability to make eye contact can vary a lot depending on the situation, the people involved, and the amount of stress that we may be under.

Perspective-taking is an important part of social interaction. Many people rely on their own intuitions of how they would behave when trying to take the perspectives of others. Autistic people, due to differences in cognition, communication, sensory processing, and motor planning, tend to have very different perspectives and reactions than many people.

It may be very difficult for autistic people to make or keep friends, or engage in large amounts of social

How is autism diagnosed?

It is important for people suspected of autism to be evaluated by professionals who know about autism. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), typically as part of a team, may diagnose autism. The team might include pediatricians (in the case of childs), neurologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and developmental specialists, among others. SLPs play a key role because problems with social skills and communication are often the first symptoms of autism. SLPs should be consulted early in the evaluation process. There are a number of tests and observational checklists available to evaluate children with developmental problems. The most important information, however, comes from parents, siblings, friends, caregivers and those close to the person, who know him/her best and can tell the SLP and others all about the person's behavior.

Sources:
• ASH Association
• Autism Society
• Autism Science Foundation
• Autism Acceptance Month Main Site

Further Reading
• Don't Mourn for Us, by Jim Sinclair
• I Am Autistic: An Evocation, by Brent White
• My Answer to the Question 'What Does Autism Feel Like?', by Lori Sealy
• If you are within the spectrum, and wish to share your experience, please create a Dispatch, and we will link it here. If you are a caretaker or an all to someone within the spectrum, also allow us to share your experience.

I'm a Delegate, how can my region help?
• Pin this dispatch to your RMB
• Upvote this dispatch
• Purple up your WFE appearance during the week of April 24th to April 30th
• Publicize this in your RMB

I'm an Individual Nation, how can I help?
• Share your experiences with us
• Upvote this dispatch
• Talk your delegate about this event
• Fly the NS Autism Week flags which you can find HERE and HERE

Velkon Steps Down as Vice-Chair
[Government]

The politburo wishes Comrade Velkon luck in his future endeavors

Following prior confidential notice to the politburo, prominent citizen Velkon announced publicly this week his intention to step down from his duties as Vice-Chairman of the People's Republic of Warzone Asia effective immediately. His official resignation cited "real-life issues" as the primary cause for this sudden change, and did not elaborate.

In a brief statement to Warzone Asia People's Daily, Chairman Campbell said that he was "saddened to lose such a dedicated comrade", but noted that Velkon is leaving the politburo on good terms and of his own accord. There has been no official word regarding follow-up to the resignation, but unofficial rumors in the Forbidden City have pointed to the example of Comrade Sari, who received the Order of the Red Star medal following her time in office.

No mention has been made thus far of a replacement for Vice-Chair, but history suggests it may be a current minister or security officer.

The Party is Always Right: PRWA Smashes WA Rankings
[Analysis]

Concrete statistical proof of communism's triumph over bourgeoise capitalism

Further economic proof of the successes of communism in the People's Republic of Warzone Asia were brought to light this week as statisticians compiled the latest reports on Warzone development from the World Assembly Census Bureau. The latest reports highlight the glorious achievement of socialist labour since the WA Secretary General election.

With the liberated worker-proletarians of our People's Republic taking pride in outperforming production quotas, it is no wonder that our glorious socialist region has achieved the number one spot for most efficient economy and highest economic output among fraternal Warzone regions. In addition, our region has seized the prestigious title of most developed, highest poor incomes, and most equal.

Indeed, the capitalists of other regions have much to fear, with our region placing first in most advanced defence forces, and with our great scientific achievement on display for all the world to see, it can only be a matter of time before the proletariat of the western nations are inspired to follow suit. With this concrete proof of the triumph of socialism, the victory of the people's revolution is imminent.

Rivercastle Repulses Raiders
[Military]

Thanks to the efforts of Comrade Rivercastle, Victory Day can be celebrated in the PRWA

This week the People's Republic once again tips its collective worker-peasant hats to Rivercastle, who, acting in their capacity as special security officer, single-handedly defeated a closely-timed attempt to displace our native delegate. The attempted raid was launched from a puppet strange region under the control of the infamous raider organization Hydra, widely hailed as the successor region of DEN and The Black Riders. No official comment has been made by Hydra officials.

In a demonstration of skill which exemplifies the perfect timing required of modern defenders, Rivercastle, officially in retirement from active NS service, dispatched three different puppets in violation of regional endorsement policy, beating even our own veteran delegate to the punch. It is a testament to the commitment shown by Rivercastle and other comrades to defend the People's Republic that we are able to live in peace to this day.