Aware of Autism
April is Autism Awareness Month. Perhaps you already knew that, but if not, here's your chance to learn more about autism, because chances are very good that you know someone with autism--or maybe several someones. When I first became aware of autism, twenty-some years ago, statistics showed that approximately one in 300 children were diagnosed with autism. Since then, the incidence of autism has exploded. On March 27, 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released statistics showing that one in 68 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder; that's one out of every 48 boys, and one in 189 girls.
Over the past fifteen years or so, I've worked with several children with autism. Most have been boys, but I've taught a few girls, as well, who have been diagnosed, and a few more who should have been. When I think back to my early years of teaching, I can pinpoint some students who exhibited autistic tendencies before autism was a common diagnosis. And, I've met quite a few undiagnosed adults who show clear signs of high-functioning autism; somehow, they have muddled their way through life without the diagnosis that might have opened the door for additional help in school.
There is a common saying about people with autism: "If you've met someone with autism, you've met one." This simply means that no two people with autism are exactly the same. Some children with autism have little speech, while others can learn to speak appropriately, and still others utilize large vocabularies from a young age. But even those who speak well may have a difficult time using proper social skills, since they have trouble discerning other people's emotions and body language. Most children with autism experience a great deal of difficulty with change of any kind, which leads to frequent meltdowns for some of them. In addition, most people with autism experience sensory issues, sometimes labeled as "Sensory Processing Disorder," which means that the brain has trouble organizing information from the senses. Children with sensory processing issues are often oversensitive to sights, sounds, textures, flavors, smells, and other sensory input, which may affect their behavior in unusual, sometimes dramatic, ways.
If you expect a young child with autism to avoid eye contact, communicate solely through crying and screaming, and flap his hands repetitively, you may be right--or, you may be completely wrong. It's true that these can be obvious signs of autism, especially in preschool-aged children, but the signs can be far more subtle for some children. Some may be able to carry on a reasonable conversation with some eye contact, but have meltdowns when it's time to transition from one activity to another. Others may seek constant sensory input, shutting doors and turning off light switches with great force, frequently hitting other children or running into them, or jumping explosively from one place to another. Some may talk (or scream!) too much, or tap their fingers or pencils loudly on their desks. Some may become so agitated in a room with fluorescent lights or typical classroom noise that they are unable to concentrate on their schoolwork. Many people with autism have extremely limited diets, because they are unable to eat foods with certain textures, or because they are unwilling to try anything new. A few, often lower-functioning, people with autism may be mostly non-verbal, while exhibiting one strikingly genius ability in math or music or art.
To make things even more complicated, it is quite common for people with autism to have other, overlapping diagnoses, including ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), among others. Years ago, children with signs of autism were lumped together with other low-functioning children, given a generic label of mental retardation, and institutionalized without a chance for the specialized education that has proven to make a huge difference in the lives of kids with autism. More recently, many young children are diagnosed with autism after qualifying for speech therapy due to delayed or inadequate speech. Others, with seemingly normal communication abilities, may not be diagnosed with autism until they are in late elementary school or even middle school, when their inadequate social skills and sensory issues become more obvious. (Some of these people used to be diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, but this diagnosis has recently been absorbed into the broader autism spectrum, and is now referred to as high-functioning autism.)
Neurologists have performed brain scans which show consistent, significant anomalies in the brains of people with autism but, until recently, no one has known what causes autism. In fact, we have heard much controversy about the possible reasons for autism. Many sources have been proposed and dismissed, but the most recent research has proven that as much as 56-95% of autism is genetic. This explains why teachers sometimes experience an "aha!" moment when they meet the parents of a particular child with autism. It also suggests a possible reason for the dramatic increase in autism in recent years: when two people with mild autistic tendencies are naturally attracted to each other, their children are more likely to exhibit even stronger signs of autism.
To read an excellent article about current research on autism, go to https://www.jnj.com/innovation/5-things-we-now-know-about-autism.
If you have ever watched "The Big Bang Theory" on TV, you should have a pretty clear picture of adult autism. Several of the main characters of this program exhibit definite signs of autism. Like these iconic TV characters, adults with high-functioning autism usually have inadequate social skills, as well as some kind of difficulty with communication. They usually face sensory challenges, and often thrive on routine, as in "there is only one right way of doing things" in any particular situation. Some "nerdy" know-it-alls may have autism, but we should never assume that all intelligent, eccentric adults have autism, because they don't. Even though most experienced teachers, therapists, and health care providers can recognize some of the signs and symptoms of autism and other mental health disorders, only a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other doctor is qualified to make a diagnosis.
Over the past fifteen years or so, I've worked with several children with autism. Most have been boys, but I've taught a few girls, as well, who have been diagnosed, and a few more who should have been. When I think back to my early years of teaching, I can pinpoint some students who exhibited autistic tendencies before autism was a common diagnosis. And, I've met quite a few undiagnosed adults who show clear signs of high-functioning autism; somehow, they have muddled their way through life without the diagnosis that might have opened the door for additional help in school.
There is a common saying about people with autism: "If you've met someone with autism, you've met one." This simply means that no two people with autism are exactly the same. Some children with autism have little speech, while others can learn to speak appropriately, and still others utilize large vocabularies from a young age. But even those who speak well may have a difficult time using proper social skills, since they have trouble discerning other people's emotions and body language. Most children with autism experience a great deal of difficulty with change of any kind, which leads to frequent meltdowns for some of them. In addition, most people with autism experience sensory issues, sometimes labeled as "Sensory Processing Disorder," which means that the brain has trouble organizing information from the senses. Children with sensory processing issues are often oversensitive to sights, sounds, textures, flavors, smells, and other sensory input, which may affect their behavior in unusual, sometimes dramatic, ways.
If you expect a young child with autism to avoid eye contact, communicate solely through crying and screaming, and flap his hands repetitively, you may be right--or, you may be completely wrong. It's true that these can be obvious signs of autism, especially in preschool-aged children, but the signs can be far more subtle for some children. Some may be able to carry on a reasonable conversation with some eye contact, but have meltdowns when it's time to transition from one activity to another. Others may seek constant sensory input, shutting doors and turning off light switches with great force, frequently hitting other children or running into them, or jumping explosively from one place to another. Some may talk (or scream!) too much, or tap their fingers or pencils loudly on their desks. Some may become so agitated in a room with fluorescent lights or typical classroom noise that they are unable to concentrate on their schoolwork. Many people with autism have extremely limited diets, because they are unable to eat foods with certain textures, or because they are unwilling to try anything new. A few, often lower-functioning, people with autism may be mostly non-verbal, while exhibiting one strikingly genius ability in math or music or art.
To make things even more complicated, it is quite common for people with autism to have other, overlapping diagnoses, including ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), among others. Years ago, children with signs of autism were lumped together with other low-functioning children, given a generic label of mental retardation, and institutionalized without a chance for the specialized education that has proven to make a huge difference in the lives of kids with autism. More recently, many young children are diagnosed with autism after qualifying for speech therapy due to delayed or inadequate speech. Others, with seemingly normal communication abilities, may not be diagnosed with autism until they are in late elementary school or even middle school, when their inadequate social skills and sensory issues become more obvious. (Some of these people used to be diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, but this diagnosis has recently been absorbed into the broader autism spectrum, and is now referred to as high-functioning autism.)
Neurologists have performed brain scans which show consistent, significant anomalies in the brains of people with autism but, until recently, no one has known what causes autism. In fact, we have heard much controversy about the possible reasons for autism. Many sources have been proposed and dismissed, but the most recent research has proven that as much as 56-95% of autism is genetic. This explains why teachers sometimes experience an "aha!" moment when they meet the parents of a particular child with autism. It also suggests a possible reason for the dramatic increase in autism in recent years: when two people with mild autistic tendencies are naturally attracted to each other, their children are more likely to exhibit even stronger signs of autism.
To read an excellent article about current research on autism, go to https://www.jnj.com/innovation/5-things-we-now-know-about-autism.
If you have ever watched "The Big Bang Theory" on TV, you should have a pretty clear picture of adult autism. Several of the main characters of this program exhibit definite signs of autism. Like these iconic TV characters, adults with high-functioning autism usually have inadequate social skills, as well as some kind of difficulty with communication. They usually face sensory challenges, and often thrive on routine, as in "there is only one right way of doing things" in any particular situation. Some "nerdy" know-it-alls may have autism, but we should never assume that all intelligent, eccentric adults have autism, because they don't. Even though most experienced teachers, therapists, and health care providers can recognize some of the signs and symptoms of autism and other mental health disorders, only a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other doctor is qualified to make a diagnosis.
In recent years, it has become obvious that early diagnosis is essential, because current treatment, which is better than ever, works best when it is started early. Girls are often under-diagnosed, because their symptoms are often more indistinct, and easier to miss. With suitable interventions, kids with autism can improve, sometimes drastically. One study indicates that a small percentage of children can be completely cured of autism, especially when they receive intensive, one-on-one therapy at home.
I've been aware of autism for much longer than the average person, and I have suspected for several years that my son, Levi, has high-functioning autism. His recent diagnosis, which just adds to his other, overlapping mental health diagnoses, helps explain some of his unconventional behaviors and mannerisms, and should provide some welcome insights into the interventions and education he will need in the next few years. But it doesn't really change anything. Levi is still God's wonderful creation, the intelligent, sometimes annoying and somewhat quirky, lovable young teen who has been part of our family for nearly ten years. Like most kids with autism today, he should grow up to live a fairly normal, productive, and fulfilling life.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be. Psalm 139: 13-16
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