learn more about autism

My son was dianosed in 1999 when he was 5 years old. At the time all I knew of autism was “Rainman”. My son had no language delay and had decent eye contact, but when he couldn’t function in a typical classroom, we had to start looking. The last 10 years have been frustrating and beautiful and sad and funny and every other emotion you can imagine. Now, as a teenager, he is the most fascinating person I know. We chose to home school and it was the best choice we could have made. I can follow his passions around and we’re both learning about life and patience and autism. I say “I’ve done this” but really? You never stop learning.

Autism fascinates me because it seems so mysterious. There are so many unknowns. And the spectrum of severity is so broad. I’ve learned a lot over the past little while, although I still know very little it’s a significant change from what I knew before (which was pretty much nothing). I am considering this goal complete for now because I am going to be doing therapy with a young autistic girl. Therefore, part of the next chapter in my life will be constantly learning more and more about autism, the behaviours and the intervention. Although it’s a challenge for me, I am so happy that I have this opportunity.

But this is all I’ve found so far for Virginia. I’ll have to keep looking:

The Walk is on, Rain or Shine!
The 4th Annual Walk for Autism
October 25th, 2008

Here is the website for other Virginians: http://www.walkforautismva.org/

My father, who sees him once or twice a year. What really bothers me is that every time he brings it up, it makes me worry. What if I’m missing something? What if…?

What is it about me that makes me not trust myself? To say nothing of his doctors, who haven’t mentioned autism at all?

I’m still going to look into this more but I must say, my family is going to drive me crazy.

I went to a bookstore today and I took a look at children/health section and I was AMAZED at the number of books on autism. I was shocked. I wish that more of them were available at the library.

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 166 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

Autism was first identified in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins Hospital. At the same time, a German scientist, Dr. Hans Asperger, described a milder form of the disorder that is now known as Asperger Syndrome. These two disorders are listed in the DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as two of the five developmental disorders that fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorders. The others are Rett Syndrome, PDD NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. All of these disorders are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills and social abilities, and also by repetitive behaviors.

Autism Spectrum Disorders can usually be reliably diagnosed by age 3, although new research is pushing back the age of diagnosis to as early as 6 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child or their child’s failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then lost skills. Pediatricians may initially dismiss signs of autism, thinking a child will “catch up,” and may advise parents to “wait and see.” New research shows that when parents suspect something is wrong with their child, they are usually correct. If you have concerns about your child’s development, don’t wait: speak to your pediatrician about getting your child screened for autism.

If your child is diagnosed with autism, early intervention is critical to gain maximum benefit from existing therapies. Although parents may have concerns about labeling a toddler as “autistic,” the earlier the diagnosis is made, the earlier interventions can begin. Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and no cure. Research indicates, however, that early intervention in an appropriate educational setting for at least two years during the preschool years can result in significant improvements for many young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. As soon as autism is diagnosed, early intervention instruction should begin. Effective programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills.

There was even a brief article in today’s paper! At least I’m getting a start.

But I think it would be a good thing for me to learn more about autism. I would like to understand more about the possibilities that we are looking at, though I hope that my mother’s instinct is right and my son is fine.

So while I’ll never know all there is to know about autism, I certainly know more than when I started, which was my goal. I nursed Gabriel to sleep last night and spent most of the evening lying beside him reading the book I rented from the library. I learned about other disorders, like fragile X, and why Rett disorder is not classed as part of the autistic spectrum. I also learned about savants, things like hand flapping and echolalia, and greater detail of Asperger’s.

Hmm… what shall I learn more about next?

No one in my family, or even anyone that I know has Autism/AD. Gabriel show no signs yet (he’s only 3 1/2 months old, though) and so I doubt he will have it.

But I want to learn more about this. After all, what good are the “Autism Awareness Ribbons” if I don’t make myself aware?

Actually, I already have by reading a bit online, but I want to learn more. I rented a book from the library and have started to read that.