April is Autism Awareness Month. According to Autism Speaks, "Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today. We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently. Several factors may influence the development of autism, and it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues." Indicators of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism." There is no one type of Autism, and everyone's Autism story is different. Thank you to Darcie for sharing her experience with us, in her own words. Darcie And Eli's Autism StoryAutism - A diagnosis I had heard of a few times before but never really paid much attention to, after all, I didn’t have a child with autism, or so I thought. Looking back on Eli’s first year of life, I could see some of the signs. He was an incredibly laid-back baby, and he preferred to be alone. He wasn’t really smiling a whole lot or babbling much.
He was somewhat oblivious when someone would walk into the room, even if it was my husband or I. Looking back at pictures, I notice now how Eli’s eyes were always looking in the other direction. By his 15 months well visit, the pediatrician had us fill out an MCHAT- a screening for autism. His score was somewhat high, but we opted for a wait-and-see approach. Around his 2nd birthday, we truly knew something was amiss. The few words he had acquired, he lost. Certain skills that he had acquired, even physical skills, he lost. The decision was made to take him to the Munroe Meyer Institute in Omaha, NE where a team of professionals evaluated him for several hours. At the end of the visit, we were given the news that Eli had been diagnosed with severe, nonverbal autism. My heart didn’t want to believe that my perfect miracle of a baby boy had autism. The team highly recommended multiple therapies, including PT, OT, and applied behavior analysis or ABA therapy. I felt so bad seeing my son, two years old, go through all the different therapies. His schedule was insanely busy, and many times I questioned if we were doing the right thing. Today, he is 8 years old. While still classified as severe and nonverbal, he has made great strides. The grief is still there, some days it’s worse than others, especially when it comes to school and seeing just how different he is from other children his age. My only regret is not taking him to be evaluated sooner. Looking back, it was my own fear causing me to be so hesitant. I see others in my situation with their children, and every time I encourage early intervention, and I share my story of Eli. The best thing we ever did for him was having him evaluated to get the ball rolling. He still has an incredibly busy schedule of therapies, but I know without a doubt, he would not be where he is today without them. Darcie Do you ever wonder why you should complete the Census? Watch this quick video to find out! |
AuthorThe parent educators with Grandview Parents As Teachers have over 100 years of cummulative early childhood and home visiting experience. Archives
September 2023
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