Autism (get some popcorn...this is a long one)

As some of you may already know, April is Autism Awareness Month. I have been formulating this post for a very long time but have pressured myself extensively to get it on my blog this month especially. While there are some extremely personal aspects to Autism and how it affects my family every day, I will save that for another post. Today, I just want to put out there what Autism is, the signs of Autism, and some resources to learn more about it. Please be aware that this is a compilation of various resources. I had a difficult time finding exactly what I wanted to put on this post. Some sites were too in depth for my taste and others were too vague. Many of my statistics came from www.tacanow.org. My 2-cents are in red. To learn more about Autism and if you or someone you love may be dealing with this syndrome please check out the varies links I have listed at the end of the post, talk to your doctor and/or google it.

First:

Autism is actually the umbrella term for Autism Spectrum Disorders (also referred to as ASD). As with any child, no child with autism is like the next child as all children display differently. Some are at the more severe end of the spectrum and others are extremely high functioning with only a few traits or characteristics. In fact, those at the higher functioning end may have or continue to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed at this time. It is important to note there are other terms that fall under this umbrella that have their own criteria also: Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorders - Not otherwise specified (aka: PDD-NOS), Aspergers or Aspergers Syndrome, Rhetts Syndrome, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.

A few facts:

• One in every 91 children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with autism. (NOTE: This number does NOT include: PDD, Aspergers and other spectrum disorders. These statistics are endorsed by the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, and other federal organizations.)
• Autism is a life-long disability for many affected individuals
• Autism affects each individual uniquely
• People affected with autism live a normal life span
• It is estimated that there are approximately one million people in the US affected with autism
• Some people affected with autism will require life-long care at the cost of $5 to $7 million dollars.
• Autism is the most common developmental disability in California (and many other states). Autism is now more common that Down Syndrome, Mental Retardation, and Cystic Fibrosis combined.
• Autism often strikes boys more often than girls – roughly four times more common in boys.
• Some children who receive an early diagnosis, intense behavioral intervention, medical treatment, and speech therapy will lead typical lives. Not all people diagnosed with autism receive such an early diagnosis or enjoy this outcome.

Signs of Autism:

The signs fall under three main categories: social, communication, and behavioral. These things may include the following (another note: not all child will show all these signs, or even these specific situations. It is important that you seek advice and an evaluation from a professional if you even suspect yourself or your child may be showing even a few of these signs).

Common Autistic Traits:

People diagnosed with autism process, respond, and interact with information in different ways. In some cases, individuals with autism may not be able to speak, may have self stimulatory behaviors (such as hand flapping, vocal utterances, repetitive behaviors), may be aggressive or be self-injurious. Each individual with autism is affected differently. But like with all people – not all individuals with autism are alike. In fact, very few autistics have the exact same issues. Very few individuals with autism are affected with all the issues specified below.

Some autistic traits could include:

• Scatter/splinter skills of abilities –
  • such as poor gross motor or fine motor skills and the ability to read at a very young age
• Oversensitive or under sensitive to pain
• Desire for the same daily schedule, toys, type of clothes or an insistent on “sameness”
• Repeating words, phrases in place of typical language or conversation (This is known as echolalia)
• Much difficulty expressing needs – they may use pointing, gestures versus words, or tantrums
• Finding situations funny or laughing at times when it is inappropriate (i.e., laughing at a baby crying.)
• Activity is noticeably under active or over active
• Excessive or frequent tantrums (we aren't talking your typical "but mommy I want...." tantrums. These can be explosive, violent, constant or even extremely long or on-going)
• Can be aggressive or self injurious
• Prefers to be alone – may have social skills deficits
• Autistics can act deaf or be non responsive to verbal cues (how many times must you repeat yourself or say their name before you get a response. You could be standing and shouting their name and they don't hear you but if a small plane is flying in the air they will see it before you....)
• Odd play such as; spinning objects, or using toys for something besides there their intended purpose or using an odd attraction to an item that is inappropriate for age (there is so much more to this...many ASD become obsessed with one specific thing and will not separate from this thing easily. Even if they play appropriately with that object, it may be that they do not engage with anything else. This could qualify as "odd play" also)
• Non existent or poor eye contact (do you constantly have to say, "look at me" and physically turn their face to look at you? Will they routinely look you in the eye for 3 seconds or less before breaking eye contact?)
• Non responsive to typical teaching methods
• May respond negatively to crowds or not able to mix well with others
• Difficulty with holding a conversation (do they refer to themselves in third person? poor or inappropriate responses)
• May not like hugs, or to be cuddled (or do the exact opposite. They may be "sensory seeking" and seek out deep pressure, tight hugs, or to be touched constantly)
• Sensitivity to loud noises, tags in clothes (or specific or all clothes in general), coarse clothing, lights, and smells
• Frequently uses peripheral vision to track items (e.g., rolling car along countertop at eye-level)
• Highly self-limited diet (narrow down foods they’ll eat to a very limited few items when previously a broader range was accepted (e.g., bread, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, cheese, milk, and crackers – period.)
• A high amount of severe food allergies
• History of chronic ear infections as an infant
• Severe gastro-intestinal issues; chronic loose and/or foul-smelling stools.
• Lack of imaginative play or imitation.

Many of the above traits can occur in neurotypical individuals as well. However, the more symptoms from this list that apply (at least eight or more,) the possibility of autism might be considered and discussed with your child’s physician or a qualified pediatric neurologist.

What to do if you suspect your loved one has ASD:

Talk to a healthcare professional. I cannot emphasize this enough. You may have to push this issue strongly with your Dr. because even many doctors have a misconception (they are not all "Rainman") of what someone with ASD may "look" or behave like. Seek out a developmental specialist in your area that may be able to help you (as I have become known as the "researching queen" among some of my friends feel free to contact me if you don't know where to start. I am happy to help).

Resources:

Here are some of my favorite sites

www.helpautismnow.com (this site has great videos and visuals on ASD for families and health care professionals. This includes the exam physcians use and how to grade it. I HIGHLY recommend this site for someone who may suspect their loved one may be on the spectrum)

www.tacanow.org (tons of great info, events in your area, how to get involved etc. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this site)

http://nichcy.org (this site has lots of great info and resources about children with all sorts of disabilities)

www.autismbuddy.com (this is a British site that is so fantastic with lots and lots of helpful ideas and tools for parents and teachers to use with children on the spectrum)

http://www.autism-pdd.net/ (not the most visually fantastic site but has a lot of very good and easy to follow information)

http://www.starkravingmadmommy.com/ (a fantastic blog written by a mommy who as a child on the spectrum as well as children with ADHD and OCD. Such a fun blog to read!)

http://www.joysautismblog.com/ (another great blog written by a mommy with a child on the spectrum and her daily life)

http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/ (online newsletter in blog format that has lots of good info)