2006-10-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

The puzzle pattern of the Autism Ribbon reflects the mystery and complexity of Autism, the different colors and shapes represents the diversity of people and families living with this disorder, the brightness of the ribbon signals hope. Hope through research and increasing awareness in people like you.

Autism spectrum disorders ASDs are a group of related brain-based disorders that affect a child's behavior, social, and communication skills. They include 3 of 5 disorders known as pervasive developmental disorders PDDs. These are autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and Pdd-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

Because most children with ASD will master the early motor skills such as sitting, crawling, and walking on time, delays in social and communication skills may not be a obvious to parents. Many parents of children with ASD think of specific examples that suggest something was different, but nothing indicating a serious problem.

Autism spectrum disorders are lifelong conditions with no known cure. However, children with ASD can progress developmentally and learn new skills. Some children may improve so much that they no longer meet the criteria for ASD, although milder symptoms may often persist.

It is important to start an intervention program as soon as possible. The sooner autism is identified, the sooner an intervention program can start. Each child with autism has different needs. What works for one child may not work for another. From experience the intervention program that works with my children are truly a god send. The great strides both of my children have achieved with their efforts are amazing. They give me hope everyday that my child may have a "normal life". Once asigned a therepist to come to your home, a relationship is built between the child and the therepist. The don't come in like gang busters and invade your home. It's just the opposite and everyone is extremely understanding and more than willing to share any knowledge they have with you.

How common are autism spectrum disorders?

Autism spectrum disorders affect an estimated 4 to 6 out of every 1,000 children. The reported number of children with ASD has increased since the early 1990s. The reason for the increase is unclear. It may be because of many factors, including an increased awareness of what ASDs are, more screening tools and services, and or changes in how ASD had been defined and diagnosed. In the past, only children with the most severe autism were disagnosed . Now children with milder symptoms are being identified and referred to intervention and educational programs.
What are the sympotoms of autism spectrum disorders?

No 2 children with ASD have the exact same syptoms, but the criteria are somewhat standardized. The number of symptoms and how severe they are can vary greatly. The following are examples of how a child with ASD may act:

Social differences

Doesn't snuggle when picked up, but arches back instead
Doesn't keep eye contact or makes very little eye contact
Doesn't respond to parent's smile or other facial expressions
Doesn't look at objects or events parents are looking at or pointing to
Doesn't point to objects or events to get parents to look at them
Doesn't bring objects to show to parents just to share his interest
Doesn't often have appropriate facial expressions
Unable to perceive what others might be thinking or feeling by looking at their facial expressions
Doesn't show concern (empathy) for others
Unable to make friends

Communication differences

Doesn't say single words by 15 months or 2 word phrases by 24 months
Repeats exactly what others say without understanding its meaning
Doesn't respond to name being called, but does respond to other sounds like a horn or cats meow
Refers to self as you and others as I
Often doesn't seem to want to communicate
Doesn't start or can't continue a conversation
Doesn't use toys or other objects to represent people or real life in pretend play
May have a good rote memory, especially for numbers, songs, TV jingles, or a specific topic
Loses language milestones, usually between the ages of 15 to 24 months in a few children

Behavioral differences

Rocks, spins, sways, twirls fingers, or flaps hands
Likes routines, order, rituals
Obsessed with a few activities, doing them repeatedly during the day
Plays with parts of toys instead of the whole toy ( for examples, spinning the whells of a toy truck)
May have spliter skills such as the ability to read at an early age, but often without understanding what it means
Doesn't cry if in pain or seem to have any fear
May be very sensitive or not sensitive at all to smells, sounds, lights, textures, and touch
Unusual use of vision or gaze looks at objects from unusual angles
May have unusual or intense but narrow interests

Understanding Autism