What is Autism?
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 150 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. The main signs and symptoms of autism
involve problems in the following areas:
· Communication
- both verbal (spoken) and non-verbal (unspoken, such as pointing, eye contact,
and smiling)
· Social - such
as sharing emotions, understanding how others think and feel, and holding a
conversation
· Routines or
repetitive behaviors (also called stereotyped behaviors) - such as repeating
words or actions, obsessively following routines or schedules, and playing in
repetitive ways.
One should keep
in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each
individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is
so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the
many specialized intervention programs.
Autism is one of
five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental
Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe
and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”
The five
disorders under PDD are:
Each of these
disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which been outlined in the American
Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).
Autism Signs/Characteristics
Autistic children display unusual behavior. A typical autistic child's behavior
is likely to include some of the following:
*no speech
*prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
*appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
*repeat or echo words or phrases said to them (echolalia)
*repeat actions over and over again
* have trouble adapting when a routine changes
*have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
Autism Causes
No one really knows for sure what causes autism. There is no known single cause
for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in
brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape and
structure of the brain in autistic versus non-autistic children. Researchers are
investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity,
genetics and medical problems. In many families, there appears to be a pattern
of autism or related disabilities, further supporting a genetic basis to the
disorder. While no one gene has been identified as causing autism, researchers
are searching for irregular segments of genetic code that autistic children may
have inherited. It also appears that some children are born with a
susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a single
"trigger" that causes autism to develop.
Other
researchers are investigating the possibility that under certain conditions, a
cluster of unstable genes may interfere with brain development resulting in
autism. Still other researchers are investigating problems during pregnancy or
delivery as well as environmental factors such as viral infections, metabolic
imbalances, and exposure to environmental chemicals.
Autism tends to
occur more frequently than expected among individuals who have certain medical
conditions, including Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella
syndrome, and untreated phenylketonuria (PKU). Some harmful substances ingested
during pregnancy also have been associated with an increased risk of autism.
Early in 2002, The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
prepared a literature review of hazardous chemical exposures and autism and
found no compelling evidence for an association; however, there was very limited
research and more needs to be done.
The question of
a relationship between vaccines and autism continues to be debated. In a 2001
investigation by the
Whatever the
cause, it is clear that children with autism and PDD are born with the disorder
or born with the potential to develop it. It is not caused by bad parenting.
Autism is not a mental illness. Children with autism are not unruly kids who
choose not to behave. Furthermore, no known psychological factors in the
development of the child have been shown to cause autism.
Diagnosing
Autism
There are no medical tests for diagnosing autism. An accurate diagnosis must be
based on observation of the individual's communication, behavior, and
developmental levels. However, because many of the behaviors associated with
autism are shared by other disorders, various medical tests may be ordered to
rule out or identify other possible causes of the symptoms being exhibited.
A brief
observation in a single setting cannot present a true picture of an individual's
abilities and behaviors. Parental (and other caregivers') input and
developmental history are very important components of making an accurate
diagnosis. At first glance, some persons with autism may appear to have mental
retardation, a behavior disorder, problems with hearing, or even odd and
eccentric behavior. To complicate matters further, these conditions can co-occur
with autism. However, it is important to distinguish autism from other
conditions, since an accurate diagnosis and early identification can provide the
basis for building an appropriate and effective educational and treatment
program.
Early
Diagnosis
Research indicates that early diagnosis is associated with dramatically better
outcomes for individuals with autism. The earlier a child is diagnosed, the
earlier the child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized
intervention approaches.
Center for
Disease Control’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign has interactive
charts to help you keep track of your child's development.
Where to
get your child diagnosed for Autism?
570-214-9361
Dr. Tom Challman,
MD
100
570-214-9361
Dr. Jill Morrow
Wyoming Valley Children's Association
1133
PH:570-714-1246
Contact: Bonnie McDonald
Prevalence of Autism
Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting
an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007).
Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are
believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.
Based on
statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental
agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At
this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million
Americans in the next decade.
Autism knows no
racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational
levels and can affect any family, and any child. And although the overall
incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more
prevalent in boys than in girls.
In recent years
there has been a marked increase in the percentage of children who have been
able to attend school with normal children, and to live more or less
independently in community settings. However, the majority of autistic persons
remain severely handicapped in their ability to communicate and socialize with
other people.
Did you know…
1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism
1 in 94 boys is on the autism spectrum 67 children are diagnosed per day
A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes
More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes
& cancer combined
Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to
significantly increase in the next decade
Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent
childhood diseases
Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
There is no medical detection or cure for autism
The
PUZZLE PATTERN of the ribbon represents the mystery and
complexity of autism.
The DIFFERENT COLORS AND SHAPES
represent the diversity of the people and families living with this disorder.
The BRIGHTNESS of the
ribbon signals the hope through research and in the increasing awareness of
people like you.
Applying
for Medical Assistance for your child is critical. This process normally can
take several weeks. Autistic therapy and services can be very expensive
and most agencies will not provide these services until you have been approved
for medical assistance. Do not delay and start the process now!
Procedures on
how to apply for Medical Assistance for a child that is 25% or more
developmentally delayed
For
1. Call Social
Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply for SSI for your child. Social Security will
accept or
2. Complete a
"Teddy Bear" form and where asked about family income write the
following:
LOOPHOLE LAW for
25% developmentally delayed child.
When the form is
complete, call 1-800-842-2020 for the nearest Medical Assistance office
*to receive a
"teddy bear" form call Allied Services at 570-826-3800 or
570-826-3789.
Basically, if
you have a child that has been diagnosed as being 25% or more developmentally
delayed