Photo by Meredith Matthews
Aaron Matthews, a six-year-old autistic boy, enjoys a day of fun at an amusement park with his seven-year-old sister Olivia. The event raised money for research during Autism Awareness Month.
By Mitzi Brabb
Gazette/Connection Correspondent
Autism is often thought of as the mystery disorder, with no explanation for its cause. Why does it affect boys at four times the rate of girls? How will the children afflicted with this illness cope in the future?
What is known about autism is that it ranks as the most prevalent childhood developmental disorder in the United States. In the early 1990s, autism was reported to affect only one in 10,000 children, but the illness is now diagnosed in approximately one in 150 children.
Because of the growing epidemic, organizations such as the National Autistic Society (NAS) and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) have endeavored to raise awareness, and offer insight about the disorder. April has been officially declared Autism Awareness Month.
Still, many are still in the dark about just what the disorder is. The Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC), a Phoenix based organization, describes autism as a “complex neurobiological disorder associated with impairments in socialization, verbal and nonverbal communication, restricted play and interests, and repetitive motor movements.”
Because autism affects each individual differently, a wide range of diagnoses are made, and they are often referred to as part of the autism spectrum disorder or ASD.
SARRC states that “though most children with autism look perfectly normal, they will often avoid eye contact and lack interest in, or regard for faces. Their thinking and learning abilities vary from gifted to severely challenged. Associated problems include hyperactivity, self-injurious behavior, sleeplessness, eating disorders and gastrointestinal problems. Stability and consistently administered therapeutic interventions are critical to the child's and family's well-being.”
Dr. Barbara Fitzgerald, Director of Special Services for the Payson Unified School District acknowledged that locally there has been a five percent increase in autism during the past five years.
Within the six schools in the district, grades K-12, 34 students have been diagnosed with the disorder.
“That number coincides with 10 percent of special education program, and one percent of the general school population, which matches the national average of students affected by the disorder,” Fitzgerald said.
She added that it is difficult to tell whether the disorder is something that is being diagnosed in our generation especially well, or if it is simply being pinpointed and labeled differently. She further explained that 40 years ago people with a similar condition were labeled “spastic.”
Although there are several levels of autism, Fitzgerald asserted that many children can be helped. It is possible for individuals to overcome many symptoms of the affliction, or at least to gain control of difficult behaviors.
“If we get them the appropriate intervention at a very young age, generally by the third grade we can get them placed into regular education,” said Fitzgerald.
Last year the Center for Disease Control and Prevention claimed that “While there is no known cause, and worse yet, no cure, we do know that autism is likely the product of genetics and environmental factors.”
Fitzgerald agrees that these are the likely causes, especially in individuals who are predisposed to certain allergies or toxins in the environment.
While the MMR vaccine has been a consistent target in the debate about possible causes of autism, there is little actual scientific evidence supporting that claim. It is possible the vaccine affects certain individuals who have less tolerance for it, just as a person may have less tolerance toward certain allergies or other environmental factors.
Some theories indicate that people are predisposed genetically to the disorder. The NAS claims that “family and twin studies lend support to a genetic etiology, and other studies indicate neurobiological differences in the anatomy and function of the brain in individuals with autism.”
Besides early intervention, medications designed to help manage difficult behaviors, as well as homeopathic remedies are believed to have made a significant difference in helping to minimize symptoms.
Meredith Matthews, who has a six year old son with autism, has noticed a marked improvement in the development and behavior of her son within the past year. She believes the change is primarily due to early intervention and patiently replacing his frustration with basic human needs, including compassion, understanding and love.
Matthews says that the most challenging problem with her son Aaron is his inability to vocalize and communicate.
“He has never been predisposed to communicate. When a child can’t talk to you, they just skip you, and move on to what they want,” she explained.
Diagnosed at an early age, Aaron received help from speech pathologists, his parents, and his preschool program at Julia Randall Elementary School.
Matthews recently took Aaron and his older sister to an amusement park to celebrate Autism Awareness Month. Matthews said that it was not only an enjoyable way to raise money for the cause, but she was surprised by how many people were there, and how many familiar faces she recognized within the community.
“It makes you realize how many people autism touches,” she said.
The majority of references to autism agree that early detection is the key to helping your child adapt.
And what are the warning signs you should look for in your child?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, possible indicators include an inability to speak one word by 16 months or to combine two words by two years old; a child who does not respond to his or her name or does not play with toys appropriately, and a child who loses language or social skills. Other signs include excessively lining up toys or other objects, an attachment to one particular toy or object, and when he or she does not display skills in pointing or showing.
SARRC suggests that if a child exhibits one or more of these behaviors, it may be a red flag, and may necessitate a call to a child's pediatrician.
If a child is younger than three years of age, one can contact the Arizona Early Intervention Program at 602-542-1000 for a free evaluation. If he or she is over three, the local school district will conduct a free evaluation.
Matthews, who knows the difficulties of being the mother of an autistic child, also sees the other side of the disorder. She believes that most of these challenged children, many of whom are nearly savant, are extremely intelligent people who make great problem solvers, and often grow up to be doctors or engineers.
“We have to teach our children to accept the differences in each other. There is beauty and worth inside every single one of us, no matter what,” said Matthews.
Editor’s note: For more information about autism, visit NAS (www.autism.org), SARRC (www.autismcenter.org) or CARD (www.centerforautism.com)
Aaron Matthews, a six-year-old autistic boy, enjoys a day of fun at an amusement park with his seven-year-old sister Olivia. The event raised money for research during Autism Awareness Month.
By Mitzi Brabb
Gazette/Connection Correspondent
Autism is often thought of as the mystery disorder, with no explanation for its cause. Why does it affect boys at four times the rate of girls? How will the children afflicted with this illness cope in the future?
What is known about autism is that it ranks as the most prevalent childhood developmental disorder in the United States. In the early 1990s, autism was reported to affect only one in 10,000 children, but the illness is now diagnosed in approximately one in 150 children.
Because of the growing epidemic, organizations such as the National Autistic Society (NAS) and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) have endeavored to raise awareness, and offer insight about the disorder. April has been officially declared Autism Awareness Month.
Still, many are still in the dark about just what the disorder is. The Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC), a Phoenix based organization, describes autism as a “complex neurobiological disorder associated with impairments in socialization, verbal and nonverbal communication, restricted play and interests, and repetitive motor movements.”
Because autism affects each individual differently, a wide range of diagnoses are made, and they are often referred to as part of the autism spectrum disorder or ASD.
SARRC states that “though most children with autism look perfectly normal, they will often avoid eye contact and lack interest in, or regard for faces. Their thinking and learning abilities vary from gifted to severely challenged. Associated problems include hyperactivity, self-injurious behavior, sleeplessness, eating disorders and gastrointestinal problems. Stability and consistently administered therapeutic interventions are critical to the child's and family's well-being.”
Dr. Barbara Fitzgerald, Director of Special Services for the Payson Unified School District acknowledged that locally there has been a five percent increase in autism during the past five years.
Within the six schools in the district, grades K-12, 34 students have been diagnosed with the disorder.
“That number coincides with 10 percent of special education program, and one percent of the general school population, which matches the national average of students affected by the disorder,” Fitzgerald said.
She added that it is difficult to tell whether the disorder is something that is being diagnosed in our generation especially well, or if it is simply being pinpointed and labeled differently. She further explained that 40 years ago people with a similar condition were labeled “spastic.”
Although there are several levels of autism, Fitzgerald asserted that many children can be helped. It is possible for individuals to overcome many symptoms of the affliction, or at least to gain control of difficult behaviors.
“If we get them the appropriate intervention at a very young age, generally by the third grade we can get them placed into regular education,” said Fitzgerald.
Last year the Center for Disease Control and Prevention claimed that “While there is no known cause, and worse yet, no cure, we do know that autism is likely the product of genetics and environmental factors.”
Fitzgerald agrees that these are the likely causes, especially in individuals who are predisposed to certain allergies or toxins in the environment.
While the MMR vaccine has been a consistent target in the debate about possible causes of autism, there is little actual scientific evidence supporting that claim. It is possible the vaccine affects certain individuals who have less tolerance for it, just as a person may have less tolerance toward certain allergies or other environmental factors.
Some theories indicate that people are predisposed genetically to the disorder. The NAS claims that “family and twin studies lend support to a genetic etiology, and other studies indicate neurobiological differences in the anatomy and function of the brain in individuals with autism.”
Besides early intervention, medications designed to help manage difficult behaviors, as well as homeopathic remedies are believed to have made a significant difference in helping to minimize symptoms.
Meredith Matthews, who has a six year old son with autism, has noticed a marked improvement in the development and behavior of her son within the past year. She believes the change is primarily due to early intervention and patiently replacing his frustration with basic human needs, including compassion, understanding and love.
Matthews says that the most challenging problem with her son Aaron is his inability to vocalize and communicate.
“He has never been predisposed to communicate. When a child can’t talk to you, they just skip you, and move on to what they want,” she explained.
Diagnosed at an early age, Aaron received help from speech pathologists, his parents, and his preschool program at Julia Randall Elementary School.
Matthews recently took Aaron and his older sister to an amusement park to celebrate Autism Awareness Month. Matthews said that it was not only an enjoyable way to raise money for the cause, but she was surprised by how many people were there, and how many familiar faces she recognized within the community.
“It makes you realize how many people autism touches,” she said.
The majority of references to autism agree that early detection is the key to helping your child adapt.
And what are the warning signs you should look for in your child?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, possible indicators include an inability to speak one word by 16 months or to combine two words by two years old; a child who does not respond to his or her name or does not play with toys appropriately, and a child who loses language or social skills. Other signs include excessively lining up toys or other objects, an attachment to one particular toy or object, and when he or she does not display skills in pointing or showing.
SARRC suggests that if a child exhibits one or more of these behaviors, it may be a red flag, and may necessitate a call to a child's pediatrician.
If a child is younger than three years of age, one can contact the Arizona Early Intervention Program at 602-542-1000 for a free evaluation. If he or she is over three, the local school district will conduct a free evaluation.
Matthews, who knows the difficulties of being the mother of an autistic child, also sees the other side of the disorder. She believes that most of these challenged children, many of whom are nearly savant, are extremely intelligent people who make great problem solvers, and often grow up to be doctors or engineers.
“We have to teach our children to accept the differences in each other. There is beauty and worth inside every single one of us, no matter what,” said Matthews.
Editor’s note: For more information about autism, visit NAS (www.autism.org), SARRC (www.autismcenter.org) or CARD (www.centerforautism.com)
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