Autism Awareness: What to Look for and How to Get Help

Pervasive Developmental Disorder, better known as PPD, is a category of neurological disorders. These disorders are characterized by severe impairment in many areas of development. Within PPD there are five different disorders. They are:

-Autistic Disorder
-Asperger's Disorder
-Retts Disorder
-Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
-PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

Of these disorders Autism is the most prevalent and currently affects an estimated 1.5 million people in America. Even though this disorder is present in about every 1 in 166 births, it is one that many people are not aware of. It is also estimated that within the next decade Autism may affect nearly 4 million Americans. Autism is most prevalent in boys, but it can affect anyone. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, education, lifestyles, or socioeconomic background. With these rapidly increasing numbers it has become very important to focus on awareness of the disorder.

Many of us have been out somewhere and witnessed a child who appeared to be out of control. They may have been screaming, jumping, and flapping their arms. The child might have fallen to the ground and screamed in agony, appearing to have no sense of the world around them. Most people's first reaction is to believe that the child is a brat and that the parents have poor parenting skills. The parents get darting stares from on-lookers whose eyes are telling them to please do something about their child's behavior.

What many people don't know is that this can be a typical scenario for child with Autism. They are not bad children and the parents are not bad parents. Children with Autism tend to process and react differently to information than other children. It is common for this disorder to affect social skills and language. These negative affects can often times be frustrating for the child. For an example, the child may not be feeling well, but is completely unable to communicate this to anyone. As a result, the child tries to communicate in any way possible. This may include screaming, crying, and even self injurious behaviors.

No two people with Autism are exactly the same and the degree of severity can fall anywhere on a large scale. The following is a list of possible symptoms and characteristics of a person with some degree of Autism:

-Resistance to change
-Tantrums
-Inability to communicate needs
-Lack of a sense of danger
-Prefer to be alone
-Poor eye contact
-Obsessive attachment to objects
-Poor gross or fine motor skills
-Resistant to physical contact
-Hypo or Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and pain
-Repetition of words or phrases
-Inappropriate laughing or crying
-A desire to spin objects
-Flapping of the hands
-Difficulty socializing with others

These signs and behaviors can generally be detected by the age of three. The sooner a diagnosis is given, the sooner treatment can begin. Though the causes and cures for Autism are constantly being debated, it is believed by most that early intervention is necessary for the best possible results. Some children have received early intervention services long before they were even school age. Many private agencies, as well as school districts, offer these services. For some children, this may mean the difference between starting school in a typical classroom versus a special day classroom.

Some early intervention programs now begin as early as 18 months. These programs can help to implement behavior and education programs that will help the child achieve the skills that they need. Programs can focus on areas such as social skills, language, and fine or gross motor skills. Many programs combine the knowledge of behavior therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. This team can share their expertise and help to develop the best treatment plan possible.

If you are concerned about any of the behaviors that your child is exhibiting it is important to consult with professionals as soon as possible. The first place most parents look for help is the child's pediatrician. This is a great step, but it is important to keep in mind that not all pediatricians are experienced in dealing with Autism. They may be great with your child and their basic childhood needs, but in some cases it may be necessary to consult with someone who knows specifically about these disorders. If you are concerned and do not know where to start looking for help, you can always contact the school district. They have helped families with a wide range of special needs and should generally have the resources to help. If they do not have the resources they may have knowledge of who can help.

If you have a child who has already been diagnosed with Autism or any other developmental disability I strongly recommend trying to connect with other parents in similar situations. Building a strong support network is necessary for any parent. If you are given the opportunity to attend any seminars it would beneficial to do so. The nature of Autism seems to be constantly changing and it is important to stay up date with current information. If you have the opportunity to participate in any research studies this can be a great opportunity to get free help and evaluations for your child.

If you have a school aged child I strongly recommend playing an active role in your child's education. If you feel that your child could benefit from services such as speech or early intervention don't be afraid to demand it for your child. In my experiences I have seen that the families who are most active in voicing their needs and concerns are the ones most likely to get help. Being nice will not always get you what you want and if you sit back and wait for someone to help you are likely to be waiting a long time. School districts are supposed to be in business to educate our future, but at the same time it runs much deeper than that. Unfortunately, finances and resources can be limited. Therefore, it is not likely that anyone is going to give them up without a fight. The best thing you can do is arm yourself with knowledge to win this fight.