LET'S TALK ABOUT AUTISM

Autism is much more common than most people think. Autism is NOT caused by a person's upbringing, their social circumstances and is not the fault of the individual with the condition. It is a developmental disorder that some people are born with--it's not something you can catch or pass along to someone else.

Autism is usually diagnosed at a very young age, when a child is l/2 to 4 years old. It is not treated with surgery or medicine (although some people with autism may take medicine to improve certain symptoms, like aggressive behavior or attention problems).


This tragic disorder called autism causes many parents to spend extra time and energy to raise an autistic child and they should be given kudos for this, not criticism. Autism is a brain disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, to reason, and to interact with others. Just imagine, if you will, how this would affect your own life!

Boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls, and it is found equally in all walks of life and in all populations around the world. Typically it appears by age 3, though diagnosis and interventions can and should begin earlier.
Not everybody with autism has the exact same symptoms, which makes it even more difficult to detect at an early age. There are no medical tests to determine whether someone has autism, although doctors may run various tests to rule out other causes of symptoms. Because their brains process information differently, teens with autism may not act like other people you know and the severity of the symptoms vary from person to person. Some children have only mild symptoms and grow up to live independently, while others have more severe symptoms and need supported living and working environments throughout their lives. Some children who have just a few of these symptoms may appear to be developing within typical expectations, although somewhat more slowly. One of the many symptoms is sensory integration dysfunction. (This has been the primary symptom my grandson developed and he still experiences mild symptoms.) We had no idea he had no sense of smell until he began walking up to someone and sniffing their clothes and practically frightened them to death as they perceived he was going to bite them. Speech and language problems also can develop.


Learning that a child has autism can be wrenching for parents. Feeling like they've lost the child they once knew, parents often move through the emotional stages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. It is the acceptance stage that I want to talk about today.

I want you to understand what a child is going through and how important is it that he/she has your love and acceptance. Now, you are thinking that of course we love our child! I want to stress here just how crucial it is for your child to hear the words "I love you, no matter what" several times a day. This soon becomes embedded and he/she is able to move forward, knowing that his/her parents appreciate him/her for who he/she is. Regardless of what else you do as caregivers, LOVE is primary. This quality also is crucial in everyone that works with your child, such as, teachers, doctors, therapists and others who enter his/her environment.

Both parents should be on board 24 hours a day and especially the mother, as most of the care falls on her. Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with autism often help families to cope with the particular challenges of living with an autistic child.

Because autism is difficult to recognize and diagnose, it's important that families seek an evaluation by a medical professional who is experienced in diagnosing and treating the disorder as soon as possible. It used to be thought that autism is just a fate that you accept. Good news! Researchers are finding a new understanding of autism, which gives all of us hope for the future of these children.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for informational purposes only.

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Until Next Time,
Meredith

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