Archive for January, 2010

In recent years, early intervention programs for autism have gained a lot of attention, specifically for program success. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to educate yourself and learn as much as you can about your child’s autism. Early intervention programs are just one tool you can utilize to make coping with autism easier, as well as more understandable.
Early intervention programs are designed to find and treat very young children who are at risk of disability or delay, as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. However, not all programs are the same and parent will find that different states have different requirements and standards regarding early intervention programs for autism, as well as other developmental disorders. A good early intervention program can be difficult to find, but with a little assistance, you should be able to find a program that will work well for both you and your child.
Start your search for a good program at Wrightslaw.com, a special needs education law site that describes early intervention’s place in the legal system. Next, find your state resources at the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. This will give you all of the information you need to find out what programs are available in your state and to which standards they are held. Finally, rather than going directly to the state institutions that handle your child’s enrollment in an official program, contact a parent resource center in your state for help. Explain your situation, and ask for help. Other parents, as well as early intervention program providers, can provide all of the information you need to make a good choice.

Autism is a spectrum disorder and affects different people in different ways, and in some cases, that way is in the form of Asperger’s Syndrome.

Just like autism, Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that can be characterized by sensitivity to sensory stimuli, poor social interactions, obsessions, speech patterns, and other peculiar mannerisms. In some cases, children with Asperger’s have few facial expressions and have a difficult time understanding the body language and non-verbal cues of others. Other characteristics of the disorder include motor delays, clumsiness, limited interests, and trouble demonstrating empathy, particularly in adults.

So where exactly did Asperger’s Syndrome come from? Named after Hans Asperger, a Viennese pediatrician, Asperger’s is the result of the observation of set behavior patterns apparent in some of his patients in 1940. Asperger noticed that although the children being observed had normal intelligence and language development, they had severely impaired social skills, were unable to communicate effectively with others, and had poor coordination.

More than 400,000 families are estimated to be affected by Asperger’s, yet that number is rising. Milder cases are now being identified more frequently and the incidence of this form of autism is increasing. Unfortunately, like autism, Asperger’s can be difficult to both diagnose and treat.

If your child exhibits some of the symptoms and behaviors that are typical of Asperger’s, it’s critical to seek help from your doctor. Remember, early intervention is the best way to begin treating the disorder.

According to a recent study published online in the November 30 issue of Pediatrics, there’s a new approach to autism that could actually help in the boosting of IQ along with children’s language and social skills. The special, intensive early intervention program was developed as part of the study to examine whether or not targeting certain areas of development could in fact help those who may have been diagnosed with autism.

“When done in this fashion (the program), many children are able to learn and make remarkable progress,” said Geraldine Dawson, lead author of the stud and chief science officer of Autism Speaks. “Some of the kids at the end of the study were going into regular preschool and had developed language and friendships with their peers.”

The program, known as the Denver Model, targets language, social behavior, motor skills, play, self-help skills, and other developmental milestones in a format provided by trained professionals who work with each child one-on-one in the home for several two-hour sessions for five days per week. During this time, parents were also trained in various intervention strategies to make dealing with autistic behaviors easier.

“The strategies in this model are delivered in a very naturalistic, play-based and relationship-focused context rather than sitting the child down at a table and doing drills,” said Dawson. “It’s just a slow process, sort of a labor of love, teaching kids step by step all these different skills.”

Two years after each program was implemented, children involved in the Denver Model were tested for progress. The intervention program was shown to improve a child’s IQ on an average of 15.4 points. Additionally, children participating in the Denver Model program were also more likely to have their diagnosis changed from autism to pervasive developmental disorder. These successes have since prompted the study team to publish a step-by-step manual describing this unique approach.

“It sets a benchmark for additional therapies that may come along,” said Keith A. Young, chairman of the Tissue Advisory Board at Autism Speaks. “This treatment was done in a very scientifically rigorous way and I think … this is going to become the standard for what needs to be done to get these kids to function better.”

If you’re interested in reading more about the Denver Model and the study, visit the official release page.

Autism is a very unique condition, and one that may be difficult for some people to understand. However, by taking the time to truly learn about autism, you can help someone you love who may be coping with the disability. If you want to learn more about autism, here are a few of the most frequently asked questions regarding the disability, with answers directly from the Autism Society:

What is Autism?
Autism is a very complex developmental disability that typically appears in a person’s toddler years. It is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of behavior, social interaction, and communication skills.

Autism can affect a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others, though autism is not experienced the same way for everyone. Autism is considered to be a “spectrum disorder”, which means that it affects everyone differently.

How Can I Spot Autism?
Autism is incredibly treatable, especially if you get an early diagnosis. If you notice any of these symptoms in your young child, it may be time to talk to your doctor about the possibility of autism:

• Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects)
• Little or no eye contact
• Lack of or delay in spoken language
• Lack of interest in peer relationships
• Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
• Persistent fixation on parts of objects

What Are Other Symptoms of Autism?
Besides the symptoms described above, many common autistic traits include resistance to change, tantrums, obsessive attachment to objects, over-sensitivity, no real fears of danger, uneven motor skills, extreme over or under-activity physically, difficulty mixing with others, laughing or crying for no reason, and non-responsiveness to verbal cues. Remember, autism is a spectrum disorder and can appear differently in different kinds of people.

What Causes Autism?
Right now, there is no known single cause for autism.