Did you know April is National Autism Awareness Month?

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects individuals to varying degrees.

Are you living with a person with autism? Are you experiencing stress due to the high demands of caring for someone with autism? If so, you are not alone. The demands of living with a person with autism are great and families frequently experience high levels of stress and anxiety.

The Autism Society (www.autism-society.org) offers a variety of resources for families who are living with and/or caring for a person with autism. To talk with someone about how to cope with the stress and anxiety of autism, call the EAP at 410-328-5860.

Some people have a version of autism called Aspergers.  People with Aspergers are often very intelligent and can figure out a variety of problems, but have trouble reading people’s faces, or interpreting sarcasm or social cues.  If you would like help in improving your social skills, call the EAP to meet with a counselor today.  Or, you can email Maureen McCarren, LCSW-C at mmccarre@psych.umaryland.edu

Happy Spring!

SAMHSA has prevention ideas for you

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser. Help Support Prevention in Your Community National Prevention Week 2013 will take place May 12–18, 2013. This year’s theme emphasizes that the prevention of substance abuse and promotion of mental health starts with the choices each of us makes in our own life. Through our choices, we can set an example of health and well-being for others. With our voices—whether spoken or written—we can raise awareness of behavioral health issues and help create healthier and safer communities. You can plan and host your own events, participate in the “I Choose” project, or take the “Prevention Pledge” to show your support and help raise awareness about behavioral health issues. Learn More About National Prevention Week 2013 Learn How To Develop Your Own Prevention Strategy This guide helps communities in planning and delivering substance abuse prevention strategies. It covers conducting needs assessments, identifying partners, creating effective strategies, marketing, reaching special populations, and evaluating your program. It includes a sample timeline of tasks and sample materials to save you time. Order Focus on Prevention

February 24- March 7, 2013 – National Eating Disorders Awareness week.

The aim of National Eating Disorders Awareness (NED) week is to increase outreach and awareness of eating disorders and body image disorders, while reducing stigma and improving access to treatment resources.  Eating disorders are serious, life threatening illnesses-not choices- and it is important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.  For more information and volunteer opportunities, go to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org, or call Jan Buxton, Senior Counselor in the EAP.  You can reach Jan by calling 410-328-5860 or emailing her at jbuxton@psych.umaryland.edu.