Blog - The Daily PoopThe little stinker did it again

Studies Show one in 54 boys has autism

03/04/12 08:02 Filed in: dads | sons | Austism | Healthcare | boys | family
autism_7
Two days ago the front headlines of all the major news outlets around the world read, "new studies show one in 54 boys has some form if autism in the U.S.." As a dad of a 5- month old boy, I read intently. No one knows why this statistic has risen over 1000% in the last 20 years but those numbers are alarming. Tonight on NPR, Tom Ashbrooke of "On Point" was digging deeper regarding the staggering numbers and even the experts can't agree. One of the guests was saying that we have a better understanding of Autism so it's easier to diagnose earlier. But his counterpart who works at the Autism Center argues that the CEnter For Disease Control has not changed their diagnostic methods and so the numbers don't reflect a new measurement methodology and that something is causing more children to be autistic.

As I read more, I learned that the average age for kids to be tested for Autism is about three years old. But the more I read, the more I realized that parents who are attuned to their children can learn at an earlier age. There are no blood tests that reveal this disorder. Instead, it is a behavior disorder and doctors and psychologists that have seen this a number of times can spot autism with relative ease.

What are some of the symptoms of autism? Well, the autism spectrum is quite large so there are many possibilities. But some of the tell- tell signs according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Autism Facts, "a doctor should definitely and immediately evaluate a child for autism if he or she:

Does not babble or coo by 12 months of age
Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp, etc.) by 12 months of age
Does not say single words by 16 months of age
Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own (rather than just repeating what someone says to him or her) by 24 months of age
Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age.
Are there other possible symptoms of autism and PDD?

The following "red flags" could be signs that a doctor should evaluate a child for autism;

The child does not respond to his/her name.
The child cannot explain what he/she wants.
Language skills or speech are delayed.
The child doesn't follow directions.
At times, the child seems to be deaf.
The child seems to hear sometimes, but not others.
The child doesn't point or wave bye-bye.
The child used to say a few words or babble, but now he/she doesn't.
The child throws intense or violent tantrums.
The child has odd movement patterns.
The child is hyperactive, uncooperative, or oppositional.
The child doesn't know how to play with toys.
The child doesn't smile when smiled at.
The child has poor eye contact.
The child gets "stuck" on things over and over and can't move on to other things.
The child seems to prefer to play alone.
The child gets things for him/herself only.
The child is very independent for his/her age.
The child does things "early" compared to other children.
The child seems to be in his/her "own world."
The child seems to tune people out.
The child is not interested in other children.
The child walks on his/her toes.
The child shows unusual attachments to toys, objects, or schedules (i.e., always holding a string or having to put socks on before pants.)
Child spends a lot of time lining things up or putting things in a certain order. (Return To Top)

Selfishly, I breathe a sigh of relief when I look at my 5- month old and he is laughing, pointing and trying to talk already. And then I read, "Studies also show that a subgroup of children with ASDs experiences a 'regression,' meaning they stop using the language, play, or social skills they had already learned. This regression usually happens between the first and second birthdays."

Suddenly, I feel apprehensive again and think of how sad it would beef my smiling, dancing, cooing son one day stopped all of these things. And if not my son, then someone else's child who enjoyed the communication signs that made his/her parents glow with love and hope.

Learn more about autism from these resources;

Autism web.com

Could It Be Autism?: A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps. Nancy Wiseman explains how to find out if your child is developmentally delayed as early as four months of age. Wiseman provides checklists, discusses screening tests, and, if your child has autism, tells you how to design an effective treatment program. She says taking action is better than a wait-and-see approach. AutismWeb agrees.

See the government's "Learn the Signs, Act Early" web site for a list of developmental milestones by age.

Does My Child Have Autism? A Parents Guide to Early Detection and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders Professor Wendy L. Stone, of the Vanderbilt autism research and treatment center, and Theresa DiGeronimo tell you what symptoms to look for by age 2 or younger, and what to do if you suspect an autism spectrum disorder.

Facing Autism: Giving Parents Reason for Hope and Guidance for Help by parent Lynn M. Hamilton. Hamilton, whose son essentially recovered from autism, summarizes information on behavioral therapy, special diets, vitamins and biomedical treatments. A hopeful first book for parents of young children who don't know where to start. Good index of resources.
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