Autism is a "neurodevelopmental disorder that can have a profound effect on socialization, communication, learning and other behaviors." (Nardone, J., 2008)
This newspaper article lists warning signs to be:
- No big smiles or joyful expression by 6 months
- No babbling by 12 months
- No gestures (pointing, showing, reaching, waving, etc.)
- No words by 16 months
- No two-word meaningful phrases by 24 months
- Loss of speech or babbling at any age
- Overly sensitive to sounds, texture or light
- Repetitive movements (lining up toys)
- Need for predictable routines
- Self-stimulatory behavior
(Nardone, J., 2008)
This article also brings up a good point about Early Intervention (EI). It is a "federally funded program that offers developmental assessments and services for children birth to 3 years of age." (Nardone, J., 2008)
It is a well known fact that the earlier the intervention for any disorder or disease the better the diagnosis.
What I think:First I want to address the Early Intervention program. I think it is great that there is a program to help children at such a young age, and the fact that it is federally funded so the families pay nothing, its amazing. My question is what happens after 3?
J.C. was lucky enough to live in a district that started FREE preschool at 3 AND had a special needs 3-year-old preschool program. Though he did have to be evaluated and accepted into the program it was great. If my sister and her husband did not live in that district or he wasn't accepted into the program he could have went a year or more without any kind of special services, unless they paid out-of-pocket for it.
I know that everything costs money but for special needs children it's unethical to just drop them at 3 and pick them up again when they get to preschool or kindergarten. I couldn't believe it when I learned this. I know there must be some sort of limitations, but what about having the program run until they are in preschool or kindergarten so the children's progress continues.
J.C. had a lot of the characteristics of autism. One symptom I am happy to say J.C. does not exhibit is no smiling or expression of joy. J.C. smiles all the time and is very loving. I call him my "love bug". One of the technics the physical therapist taught us was to hold J.C. tightly to calm him down. This has made him much more affectionate because he likes feeling calmed when we hold him. This is very enjoyable because this is the time when you can talk to him and he will actually listen. It creates a bond you couldn't imagine.
J.C. was and still is very senstive to sound. He would hold his hand up to cup his ear and crotch down like he was straining to hear something, but I heard nothing. Now he can tell you almost 10 minutes before the ice cream truck comes that it's close by. He also has a problem with bugs. I think he hears so well that the buzz of a fly or bee sounds so loud it sounds close to him and it scares him. You can tell when there is a bug around because J.C. starts running in circles and covering his ears. It looks funny but I feel horrible to think that he may be like that the rest of his life.
In a previous blog I had discussed his self-stimulatory behavior or "shaking". I never had a name for it before this article. I also discussed earlier about his delay in speech. He has made a lot of progress, but nothing is "cured".
References
Nardone, J. (2008, May/June). Know the early signs of an autism spectrum disorder. Medford Sun, p. 13.
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