Autism Awareness Month kicks off in April. It provides an opportunity to promote autism awareness and acceptance of the tens of thousands who are diagnosed each year. 1 in every 59 children in America has some form of autism. By drawing attention to autism, the hope is to foster continued support and understanding to those affected by it.
Autism is a complex developmental disability which affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. It is known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and children diagnosed often exhibit a wide range of behaviors from mild to severe. Signs typically appear during early childhood (1-3 years old) but vary greatly on an individual basis. According to the Autism Society, some signs include:
- Delay or lack of speech
- Persistent fixation on objects
- Repetitive language or bodily mannerisms
- Little or no eye contact
- Lack of spontaneous or pretend play
- Little interest in peer play
These signs begin in early childhood and will persist and interfere with daily living. As a parent, if you notice that your child is not meeting the milestones for his/her age, talk to your pediatrician about your concerns. The CDC offers a milestone checklist you can use as a starting point. This list offers a broad range of milestones but is not meant to be a parent’s sole determining factor. As a parent, you know your child best. If you are concerned about any behaviors or delays, request a developmental screening or a referral to a doctor who can provide a more in-depth evaluation of your child.
Because every child is different, it is impossible to generalize every symptom or behavior on the autism spectrum. As children with autism get older, social communication challenges and repetitive behaviors can become more prevalent. It is common for those with autism to have difficulty understanding others’ verbal or non-verbal communication such as gestures, facial expressions, or tone of voice. Expressing or even recognizing a particular emotion can also be difficult for a child with autism. They can often feel overwhelmed in certain social situations or need certain repetitive movements to calm them down. Sensory issues are also common in children with autism. They can be extra sensitive to lights, touch, sounds, or other stimuli.
Lucia Lyman is the mom of a 13-year-old autistic son. She says she has learned many strategies to help him in various situations. “When you have a child on the spectrum you always have to keep a trick under your sleeve. When we go out for dinner, we make reservations to minimize wait time, and always request a corner table.” She emphasizes the importance of routines. “We learned that routine is a good thing, especially at bedtime. We made sure to have a place for everything and a time for everything. Minor changes can feel overwhelming to our son, and perhaps to most people with autism, so being consistent with a routine is key for our sanity as parents of someone with autism.” Her advice to parents of a newly diagnosed child on the spectrum would be, “find help as soon as you can; don’t try to do this on your own, even if you have a supportive partner. Look for support groups, sign up for IHSS (In-Home Support Services) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you qualify. Make sure your child’s healthcare providers have experience with autism. You will need a strong, multi-faceted support system, beyond what you have at home.”
While there is no single known cause or cure for autism, it is treatable. Most doctors agree that with early diagnosis and intervention, children with autism have a better chance of positive learning. Treatment for children with autism is highly individualized. Doctors and clinical professionals can provide possible guidelines and different approaches to target behaviors, attention, or communication.
Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA is the most frequently used type of intervention to help teach a range of academic, social, and motor skills. The main principle behind this approach is that behavior and motivation are linked, and what is rewarded and reinforced is more likely to be repeated. Besides evidence-based treatments, there are complementary therapies that will help support kids on the spectrum. Physical therapy can be needed to aid in balance and coordination, while occupational therapy can be used to develop fine motor skills and work with sensory issues. Speech therapy can also be beneficial by helping children with autism communicate more effectively. Jennifer Gomez MS CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist who has patients on the spectrum. She says, “Communication is what connects people to each other. I try to find the best ways for children to communicate in whatever way works best for them, verbally or non-verbally. Whether it is by using gestures, signs, words, communications boards, and/or an Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) device. I just want them to be able to share themselves with the world.”
With the appropriate services and support from family members, children on the autism spectrum will grow, learn and flourish, even if it is at a different rate. There are numerous websites and resources that provide support to families and tips to help with a home/school routine. In addition, parents can use these sites to seek more information about support services and programs in this area for children with ASD.
• Monterey County Office ofEducation:www.montereycoe.org
• Operation Autism - FamilySupport for Military Families:https://operationautism.org
• Monterey Peninsula AutismAssistance: mpautism.org
• BIA (offers a variety of services for local children on the spectrum and their families):www.bia4autism.org
World Autism Day on April 2 is internationally recognized as a day to raise awareness around those who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Events and educational activities take place to help others gain understanding and foster acceptance. Many buildings, landmarks, and communities show support by lighting up or wearing blue as an outward sign.
Offering parents more choices for their children with autism provides a way for the community to contribute their support. Laura Jeselnick, co-owner of The Dance Center, offers classes to children with ASD. Her studio has hired faculty that have special needs certification and certification in autism movement therapy. She believes, “It is about creating an ideal environment for learning by teaming up the student with an instructor who is able to meet them where they are at and use the arts as a critical tool to take them even farther. Teachers who have experience and knowledge are able to create a classroom environment for every student.”
Mom, Lucia Lynam offers these words of comfort, “Having a child on the spectrum can be hard, but if you learn to see the beauty in it, it will bring you hope and it will keep you going.”
Margie de Quesada is a former teacher turned family travel blogger. She writes about the places her family visits around the USA and has a bucket list goal to visit all 50 states before her kids graduate high school. You can read Margie’s travel blog at www.dqtravel.net.