INUVIK
If you noticed more people than normal wearing blue on April 2, it was a sign that Autism Awareness Day was working.

Jeannine Woods, left, Janelle Cockney, and Miki O'Kane were helping to educate people during a celebration of Autism Awareness Day on April 2 at the Inuvik NorthMart. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

The town turned blue that day while local social media sites were flooded with information about autism and blue Rock the Spectrum shirts seemed to be everywhere.

Miki O'Kane, Jeannine Woods, and Janelle Cockney staffed an information booth at the Inuvik NorthMart the evening of April 2, talking about the baffling and difficult-to-treat disorder, which takes a wide range of forms.

"Today is International Autism Awareness Day," O'Kane said. "So all over the world various countries are recognizing that autism is on the increase, and that people need to understand that people with autism have a certain neurological condition that requires societal support and understanding, and that's what this day is about."

This is the second event marking the day that O'Kane has organized in Inuvik. Her first was in 2014.

She has a personal stake in the celebrations, since she has a nephew who has been diagnosed with the condition.

"There's a huge spectrum for the condition, from those who are having a very, very hard time just functioning through the day, to others like Bill Gates, who are extremely intelligent and successful."

Janelle Cockney also has a personal story to tell, although it's one with a good outcome.

"We had a concern that my son fit somewhere on the autism spectrum," she explained. "After a long time waiting for assessment, it's been determined he's not on the spectrum. I struggled for a long time to find the information to receive an assessment for him and even to figure out things to help him.

"I found the North has very little to offer," she continued. "So I did research, research, research."

Cockney said one of the primary problems in diagnosing the condition is its extreme variability, and that's why it's difficult for the public to wrap its head around understanding autism.

"It's so variable from child to child," she said.

"It's so different," O'Kane chipped in. "So many conditions fit under this spectrum."

Other conditions, such as Tourettes and attention deficit disorder, hover around the edges of the autism spectrum disorder spectrum as well, complicating diagnoses.

"And you know, it's a heredity disorder as well," Cockney said. "There's so little known about the condition, that the more people in your family that are exposed to the information, the better able you are to share, because you want people to be aware."

Cockney said that's particularly important, because the earlier a diagnosis of autism can be made, the more effective the treatments can be.

"Early diagnoses and awareness can help the families cope daily. It's never going to go away, but education is important for family."

Cockney said many people had been stopping by to talk and take some literature.

"They're very interested in knowing what it is, and whether they are doing the right things," she said.

Jeannine Woods said she has a grandson who had been diagnosed with the condition.

He's had a rough time of it over the years, but has compensated and learned to treat some of his symptoms by controlling his diet.

She said he's found it particularly important to eliminate wheat products and gluten, as well as dairy.

"He does very well now. But they do need an early intervention to find out if there is indeed a problem. A lot of children go undiagnosed."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.