Saturday, April 04, 2009

Autism April is National Autism Awareness Month. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is the term used to describe different forms of autism. These disorders can range from the milder Asperger's syndrome to the more profound Rett syndrome. ASDs are harmful changes that take place in the brain as it grows and develops. From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks and acts. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of autism. People with autism display symptoms in these 3 general areas: Communication - both verbal and non-verbal (such as pointing, eye contact, and smiling) Social - such as sharing emotions, understanding how others think and feel, and holding a conversation Routines or repetitive behaviors - such as repeating words or actions, obsessively following routines or schedules, and playing in repetitive ways If you notice problems in these areas, you should take your child to a doctor for a developmental exam. Watch for the following specific behaviors: does not respond to his or her name; does not point or wave "bye-bye;" had begun talking, but has lost the ability; does not know how to play with other children; "tunes out," seems to be deaf; has unusual sensory sensitivities to sound, to lights, or rough surfaces; behaves as if in his or her "own world;" becomes fixated on furniture arrangement, or on hard objects, not soft toys or blankets; becomes rigid about dressing in a particular order or schedule; exhibits frequent or prolonged temper tantrums. There are numerous federal resources addressing autism. To find them, use USA.gov search. Here are just a few resources that I have highlighted to get you started: Autism Information Center Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) Resources for families page that has links to federal, state, financial support, and assistive technology resources FAQ page that answers many commonly asked questions. FCIC's Autism Spectrum Disorders Focus page There are also many non-government organizations that can help you learn more or find support groups to help cope with autism: AutismSpeaks.org National Autism Association Autism Society of America Autism Collaboration AutismCares Do you have any insights or experiences you wish to share about ASDs? - Ginger [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 10:35:51 AM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 5/4/2009; 2:50:15 PM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien