Facing the Challenge of Autism

A-Adventurous journey

U-Unusual and unique journey

T-Timing is everything

I-Illustrate and Illiterate

S-Start, restart, and rewrite goals

M-Miniature steps are great progress

Autism is an adventurous journey, one I embarked on since my son was born and we started facing the autism challenge. I deal with his diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, a high functioning form of autism.

One child in a hundred and fifty births will be diagnosed with some form of autism. This is an epidemic of catastrophic proportions. The possible reason for the high number of autistic children is still being researched. Vaccines, environmental issues, and genetics are being studied, with the definitive reason still unclear. On February 12, 2009, a special federal court ruled that in three cases there was no link between autism and a measles, mumps, rubella vaccine. This announcement that vaccines do not cause autism rattled many parents who believed vaccines were the cause of their children's autism. Research should be centered on finding a cure.

Autism is an unusual and unique journey. Communication, social interaction, and social awareness are impaired in varied degrees. As a parent you wrack your brain searching for the key to your child's doorway to view the hidden light. Each child has to be assessed individually. You require endless patience as you deal with daily and most often constant dilemmas. The path won't be smooth as you face the challenges of helping your autistic child reach their potential.

With autism, timing is crucial. You pick and choose your battles carefully. You research every possible lead and new interventions to assist your child. You might have speed dial numbers for doctors and therapists programmed on your phone. You even reach out to other parents for support and encouragement. You attempt to form schedules in your life, regimens to assist your child. Autistic children tend to be very uncomfortable with surprises, so timing of events and interactions are crucial. You also will need personal time to recoup, or devote to other family members.

With autism, you also have to illustrate and illiterate. You have to lead by example, be very specific, literally and otherwise, to reach out to your child. As a parent, the main caregiver, you have the closest connection. You'll read your child; understand their unspoken words and subtle movements.

With autism, you will have goals that will be started, restarted and rewritten. As your child grows your thoughts on what they should be achieving might change. Methods that worked the prior week might not work the following week, or even the next day. Dealing with autism is sometimes a blind field, trial and error, finding methods to help your child. Goals are made to achieve steps forward, bring your child into your world, or reach into his world. Professionals will look to you for signals on how to treat your child. Autism is still a field where no one has the exact science, medication or treatments, to suit every child.

The most important thing to remember with autism is that miniature steps are considered great progress. Accept and praise the small steps; a subtle smile, an eye glance, or even a simple vocalization. Progress is tedious at times, don't expect overnight results. There might be two steps forward and then one step backwards.

Today many parents share a common community with their autistic children. Autism is being discussed openly with parent's demanding answers. Continue to reach out for support and more research grants. We have a long bumpy road ahead but we're taking steps forward.

I have an essay, "Postpartum Blues plus Twenty, in a book titled, "Voices of Autism." This book contains a collection of personal stories from caregivers of children and adults with autism and also from individuals diagnosed with autism. It provides support for parents and also excellent resource information for parents. www.thehealingproject.org and www.lachancepublishing.com provide information on obtaining this book.

Autism Society of America, www.autismsociety-org is another excellent website for information on autism. This website provides an explanation on the various autism spectrum disorders, defines symptoms for diagnosis, provides answers for frequently asked questions, and also has resource connections for caregivers.

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