AUTISM: Why Acting Quickly On Your Child's Behalf Is Essential - And How To Do It Now
According to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of children diagnosed with Autism in the United States has increased by an alarming 78% in the last ten years.
Where previously only 1 in 110 American children was diagnosed as being on the Autistic Spectrum, the latest data indicates that 1 in 88 now has some form of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
At the current population level, it is estimated that 1,000,000 children in the United States is on the spectrum. When questioned on the reason for this startling increase, Autism experts have suggested that better diagnoses, a broader definition of the disorders that make up ‘Autism’ and increased awareness of ASDs account for around 50% of the newly diagnosed cases. However, that still leaves 50% of cases unaccounted for, which places ASD on an ‘epidemic’ level in the United States. While the increasing rates of Autism diagnoses vary according to gender and ethnic background, one thing is clear: symptoms typically appear before the age of three and need to be recognised as early as possible to ensure the best possible outcome for the child in question.
As Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically leads to impaired language, communication and social skills, early intervention helps to give children the best chance of a positive outcome.
Sandra Arntzen M.Ed., who works as an Educational, Behavioral and Social Skills Educator for children with Autism, had this to say about early intervention:
“When a parent or carer hears the news that their child has Autism, it’s completely normal for that person to experience a wide range of contrasting emotions: anything from fear, confusions, resentment, bereavement or even guilt. “While these feelings are completely natural, it’s important that the parent or carer puts them to one side as early as possible and focuses on the needs of their child. There is every reason to be hopeful about the future of a child with Autism, as long as the appropriate support is started early.”
Dr Thomas Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, agrees:
“Early detection is associated with better outcomes. The earlier kids are detected, the earlier they could get services, and the less impairment they’ll have on their learning and in their lives on a long-term basis is our best understanding.”
Anna and her husband, Tom, started to notice some changes in their son’s behaviour when he was 15 months old. Harry, who had previously been a contented and chatty toddler, began struggling to calm himself after tantrums and started fixating on the position of the toys in his nursery, throwing screaming fits if they weren’t arranged in a certain way.
He started to reject physical affection and became withdrawn, talking only when he needed to and avoiding eye contact. While they dreaded the diagnosis, Anna and Tom took Harry to see a pediatric specialist on the recommendation of their personal physician. After conducting a large number of tests, she confirmed that Harry was suffering from Autism. “So many emotions ran through us”, says Anna. “Fear, anger, confusion and, more than anything, guilt: we felt so guilty that we hadn’t been able to protect Harry from this condition.” Following a strict behavioral program that is tailored to his specific needs and abilities, Harry is now showing significant progress in terms of his communication and social skills, and is demonstrating an increased awareness of how to manage his emotions in situations that he finds challenging. And, while at first Anna and Tom struggled to come to terms with the diagnosis, they are pleased that Harry was diagnosed relatively early. Most Autism diagnoses in the United States are still made when the child is between four and five years old. At this stage, the child’s brain is substantially more developed – more of the ‘hard-wiring’ has been put in place – and entrenched habits are harder to change.
Possible signs
A child with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder may:
- Repeat actions or motions over and over again, such as rocking back and forth or tapping their hand or foot.
- Avoid direct eye contact and prefer not to have hugs and kisses.
- Not respond when people speak to them, but respond to other sounds around them.
- Not look at objects when someone points to them.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
While there is no known way to prevent occurrences of Autism in children, it does seem that early intervention is the single agreed method of ensuring the most positive outcome.
Once a diagnosis is made, it is important for carers and parents to adhere to a structured behavioral program to give their child the best chance of improvement.
Sandra Arntzen, M.Ed., has produced a free webinar for the parents and carers of children on the Autistic Spectrum, which outlines the seven most common mistakes to make when raising a child with Autism.
And, while the webinar focuses on these mistakes, the message is undoubtedly a positive one. Arntzen is clear: “Children with Autism need strong parents and carers who will give them the love, support, boundaries and structure they need. These mistakes are easy to make, but also easy to correct with simple and effective strategies.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say that these strategies are critically important for ensuring a happy future for a child with Autism. My aim is to offer parents and carers of children on the spectrum the clarity and encouragement they need to realise that they’re not alone and that there is hope.”
