Autism Speaks publishes '100 Day Kit' in multiple languages

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Communicating with children with autism is the foremost goal at the California Autism Center (CAC) and learning group in North Fresno. But communicating with the children's families is challenging with a language barrier.

Now, the worldwide umbrella group, autism speaks is breaking that barrier by providing its autism guide in Spanish.

California autism center CEO and Clinical Director, Dr. Amanda Adams says the comprehensive guide is vital to Spanish speaking families because it will help connect them to resources, much quicker.

"It's so important that we have available resources in Spanish in this area of California. And if it helps a family get services 6 months earlier, that can make a huge difference," said Dr. Adams.

Research shows, children with autism show better progress, the sooner they start therapy after their diagnosis. Dr. Adams also says families who better understand their options for autism treatment, are more connected to the autism community. She says if non-English speaking families have direct access to resources in their native language, they're more likely to take part in research to ultimately find the cause and cure of autism.

Access to resources made a difference for Maria Martinez of Fresno. Her 11-year-old son has autism and she tells other Hispanic families, not to wait to find help for their children.

"There is a lot of more information in their language, that they go and look for it, that they not wait for someone to come and give them that information that they need to go and find it themselves," said Eduardo Avalos, Spanish-Speaking Div Dir, CAC.

Families can find the 100 day kit for newly diagnosed families at the autism speaks website in English, Spanish and 17 other languages. It can be downloaded for free. A printed copy is also offered for less than $20, bridging the language gap for families, leading to less confusion about treatment options and more of this.

Go to www.autismspeaks.org Autism Speaks documentation in all languages.