SPOTLIGHT:
Autism Spectrum Disorder
From Vermont Parent Information Center’s Outlook,
Volume 11, #1, Holiday 1999
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
ASD is a general term used to describe a group of neurological disorders including Autistic Disorder, Aspergers Disorders, Rhetts Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and affect four times as many boys as girls, with the notable exception of Rhetts Disorder, which affects only girls. ASD is thought to affect as many as one in five hundred individuals worldwide.
What are ASD symptoms?
The following are just a few ways autism may manifest itself. ASD is a complicated disorder and must be evaluated and diagnosed by a trained diagnostician.
Delayed or absent language development or loss of speech at an early age
Poor eye contact
Uneven skills development
Unusual or “stereotyped” behavior, such as spinning, rocking, or other repetitive body movements
Limited social interaction skills
Over- or under-sensitivity to sensory stimuli
Unusual play style
Fascination with certain objects, textures, sounds, sights or movement
Is there a cure for ASD?
No. Since the exact cause of ASD is unknown, no cure has yet been developed, and ASD is considered a lifelong developmental disorder. There are, however, many treatments for ASD, ranging from medical to behavioral and education, which have had varying amounts of success. There are also many alternative therapies available which have limited or emerging research to support them. The Autism Society of Vermont recommends using a common sense approach to choosing any therapy. B. J. Freeman, Ph. D., in her article Diagnosis of the Syndrome of Autism: Questions Parents Ask, recommends asking the following questions about any treatment you may be considering: Will the treatment harm my child? How will failure of the treatment affect my child and family? Has the treatment been validated scientifically? Are these assessment procedures specified? How will treatment be integrated into my child’s current program?
Don’t become so infatuated with a given treatment that functional curriculum, vocational life and social skills are ignored.
What can I, as a parent, do?
Being the parent of a child with a disability is much like being a parent in general. In the case of a child with special needs, however, the stresses are likely to be greater and the stakes much higher. Issues tend to be very complicated, and otherwise simple tasks, like putting your child on a school bus or going out to eat, are either avoided altogether or must be highly orchestrated events with at least three contingency plans. For this reason, it is important for parents to educate themselves about their child’s needs or disability, as well as their rights, resources and options on a federal basis. Many parents will also tell you that the best thing they can do for themselves (or their children) is to get connected with other families who have members with disabilities. Other families can be a source of information, support and friendship at a time when it is common to feel isolated and helpless. Finally, get to know your child and give him the unconditional love every child deserves. Regardless of where his disability takes him, he is just a child who deserves to be loved and treasured.
Where can I learn more about ASD?
NJ Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC): (609) 883-8100
Autism Society of America: (800) 3-AUTISM