TasMailBag - Tasmania Political & Social Issues

Autism Spectrum – A Parent Perspective

Autism is a neurological brain disorder that is recognizable by a combination of behaviors. Most children are initially identified by delayed speech development. Many children with autism will have a period of normal development until 18 to 30 months, then exhibit delays or regression in language, play, or social interaction. Mounting evidence points to a genetic cause, though there may also be environmental triggers involved for those children with a genetic predisposition for autism. Since all children are able to communicate best with those whom they love, many parents and grandparents are understandably shocked to hear this diagnosis. Others who may have pleaded with doctors and specialists to do more than reassure them of the unusual development of their child are actually relieved to have their fears and concerns validated by a diagnosis. As important as it is to understand what autism IS, it is also important to know what autism is NOT.

• Autism is not a mental illness
• Autism is not the result of poor parenting
• Children with autism are not unruly or spoiled kids who just have a behavior problem
• The vast majority of persons with autism are not savants, like the character portrayed by Dustin Hoffman in the movie Rain Man
• Children with autism are not without feelings and emotions.
• No known psychological factors in the development of the child have been shown to cause autism.

After a diagnosis of autism, most families experience a period of grieving to mourn the loss of the "normal" child they have enjoyed. Once a family is able to accept the diagnosis and proceed with treatment, they will find that there is a very wide variety of information and resources available to help children with autism. The amount of information a family with a new diagnosis must begin to process in order to find their way into the right mix of therapies and interventions for their child can be quite overwhelming. A successful program for a young child with autism will likely be multi-faceted and may include some mix of speech and occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis, and educational interventions. Since there is such a wide range of abilities and needs within the spectrum of autism, there is an equally wide range of appropriate interventions available. Families should educate themselves and align themselves with a medical professional experienced in advocating for children with autism. Just as importantly, . No one understands the joys and challenges of raising a child with autism better than another parent. Above all, love your child!! Your child with autism is still the same wonderful and unique person that he was before the diagnosis of autism came along. Learn to enjoy and appreciate the things that make him happy.

While autism is a lifetime condition, with special training, supervision, and support, many adults with autism live and work in the community. Emphasis in education needs to be on helping the child learn ways to communicate and on structuring the environment so that it is consistent with the child's learning style. Speech/language therapy, sensory integration/occupational therapy, and behavior management are important components in an early intervention program. A generation ago, 90% of people with autism in our communities were eventually placed in institutions. Today, even people with autism who exhibit the most severe learning or behavior problems may succeed with instruction and support in normal community settings.

By:
Robin Pearson, M.D., mother to John, age 4 with autism
John Shouse, father to Evan, age 7 with autism

This is a priotity issue Paul Lennon, just apply Paretos Rule......too easy mate!!!!!