Autism Today

In 1995 when Amanda was born, Autism was diagnosed in 1 in every 10,000 births.  Boys were five times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.  This is one reason why there were so many contradicting opinions as to Amanda's diagnosis.  She was a girl, and girls just really didn't have autism back then.  Today 1 in 110 children will be diagnosed with Autism.  Boys are still more likely to have the diagnosis, so the CDC estimated that 1 in every 70 boys will be Autistic.

When most people hear Autism, they think of the non-verbal children who cannot communicate and will never be a functioning member of society.  This is only a percentage of Autism.  Autism is a large and very complex spectrum of disorders.  This is why it is so misunderstood.  Not all treatments work for all children, and not all children have the same symptoms.  While a child will never be cured, many children learn to cope with and overcome their disabilities. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are three different types of ASDs (Autism Spectrum Disorders):

• Autistic Disorder (also called “classic” autism)
  This is what most people think of when hearing the word “autism.”  People with autistic disorder usually have significant language delays, social and communication challenges, and unusual behaviors and interests. Many people with autistic disorder also have intellectual disability.

• Asperger Syndrome
  People with Asperger syndrome usually have some milder symptoms of autistic disorder.  They might have social challenges and unusual behaviors and interests.  However, they typically do not have problems with language or intellectual disability.

• Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also called “atypical autism”)
  People who meet some of the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome, but not all, may be diagnosed with PDD-NOS. People with PDD-NOS usually have fewer and milder symptoms than those with autistic disorder.  The symptoms might cause only social and communication challenges.

These are the three main types, but in each category, there is a wide spectrum of the way people are affected.  Their disabilities are considered, severe, moderate, mild, and high functioning.  Someone with classic Autism as described in the first paragraph can be mild or high functioning, but on fall into the category of Aspergers.  Not all mildly Autistic children are catagorized as PDD-NOS. 

The CDC lists the signs and symptoms as such:
ASDs (Autism Spectrum Disorders) begin before the age of 3 and last throughout a person's life, although symptoms may improve over time. Some children with an ASD show hints of future problems within the first few months of life. In others, symptoms might not show up until 24 months or later. Some children with an ASD seem to develop normally until around 18 to 24 months of age and then they stop gaining new skills, or they lose the skills they once had.
A person with an ASD might:

• Not respond to their name by 12 months
• Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months
• Not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll) by 18 months
• Avoid eye contact and want to be alone
• Have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
• Have delayed speech and language skills
• Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
• Give unrelated answers to questions
• Get upset by minor changes
• Have obsessive interests
• Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles
• Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel

The "puzzle" of Autism has so many pieces.  This is why awareness is so important.  This is why understanding is so important.  The Spectrum is so wide and if you think about it, amazing.  It's kinda funny to listen to someone who is interested in learning about Autism.  Their questions are great.  For instance, when Fox8 News came into Amanda's school last Thursday to tape their piece that will be airing next week, one of the questions he asked is "Do all these kids have a special skill?"  Not all Autistics are Savants.  Savants are the ones with the outstanding abilities.  While most Savants are Autistic, not all Autistics are Savants.  Have I confused you more yet?

When Amanda was diagnosed, she was considered to me Moderate to Severely Autistic, falling under the "classic Autism" category as specified by the CDC.  Now, while a child will never be cured of their Autism, many children can and do learn how to overcome and learn to cope with their disabilities.  Amanda's has learned to "suck it up" and deal with it when a loud unexpected noise happens.  She knows how to remove herself from an overstimulating situation and calm down.    On the Autism Spectrum, she is considered high functioning now.  But her future remains uncertain.  I don't know if she'll be able to live on her own.  I don't know what kind of job she's going to be able to handle.  I don't know if I'll ever send her off to prom, or if Dan will ever walk her down the isle.  Her teachers told me not to give up on her.  Believe me I'm not.  We will continue to push her, and teach her.  If we stopped now, what a disservice it would be to her.  It would be unfair to her if we didn't make her reach her full capabilities.  The future is just that....the future.  We'll figure it out one day at a time.