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Autism
Severe infant disorder of communication and behaviour that develops before the age of three. The term has been used to describe many types of mental disorders, but was originally named in 1943 by the American child psychologist Leo Kanner, early infantile autism describes a rare cluster of symptoms. Its incidence is approximately 4 in 10,000, and autistic males outnumber females by 4 to 1. The autistic child is unable to use language meaningfully or to process information from the environment. About half of all autistic children are mute, and those with speech often repeat only mechanically what they have heard. The term autism refers to the vacant, withdrawn appearance, but it's connotation of voluntary detachment is inappropriate. Other characteristics of autism include an attractive physical appearance, an uneven pattern of development, a fascination with mechanical objects, a ritualistic response to environmental stimuli, and a resistance to any change in the environment. Some autistic children have the precocius abililty, such as mathematical skill. The cause, prognosis, and treatment of autism are still under study. Research suggests a genetic defect as the cause of the disorder, which may be some form of autoimmune disease or degenerative diseases of nerve cells in the brain. Preferred treatment is special education, stressing learning in small increments, and strict behavioral control of the child. Treatment with drugs such as fenfluramine and haloperidol is also being tested. In general, prognosis is poor for those autistic children who remain mute through age five. Children who speak fare better, and some of them recover. This information was contributed by: National Society for Autistic Children. A Mother's Story by Darlene Beauchamp Being a mother of two children who were diagnosed with Autism, our life has not been an easy one. When my son Adam was 3.5 years of age, I was quite concerned as his speech was not developing. I thought perhaps he was not quite hearing sounds the way he should be. A friend of mine, suggested that I call the Child Development Center located in Petawawa. The staff of the C.D.C. observed Adam in our home and made a recommendation that he be fully assessed at C.H.E.O. (Children's Hospital for Eastern Ontario). After many tests by Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Psychologists, they made a diagnosis of Autism. As they read the criteria for Autism, I soon realized that my other son, Joshua also fit this mandate. I expressed my concern and they readily agreed to assess Joshua. When they agreed that Joshua fit most of the criteria for Autism, it was no surprise. Joshua was significantly delayed and extremely difficult to manage. Joshua would spend hours rocking back and forth and never displayed any emotion for his family. We were his tool to get him the things he required, food, drinks, etc. Joshua would not play appropriately with objects or people. He was in a world of his own. Destruction of property was Joshua's best pastime. Escaping the yard was another. It became extremely difficult to keep Joshua safe. Locks were installed around the house to ensure his safety. Adam has progressed extremely well, he rides a bike, attends cubs, has friends come over and he goes to there house at times. Joshua has very few friends. People look out for him because they know him. They understand that he doesn't know dangers, and that if he escapes he could be hurt. We have a worker come into our home and work on developmental skills to teach Joshua self-help skills, computer work, or to work on communication. He uses a Pic-symbol communication book to communicate with. Our funding for a worker to come into our home has been cutback, which means the level of support Joshua receives at home has been cutback. My concern is to keep Joshua safe and to get the level of help we need to maintain his care at home. This was written by me last year as part of an assignment I had to do last year for my computer class. Alot has changed since this was written so I will update you: Funding levels were cut back for in-home support. In June 97, Joshua turned on the stove and caused a fire as I had left a grease pot on the element from the night before...Although part of it was my own fault, most kids know better than to touch a stove at ten years of age. Concern for everyones safety, Joshua was placed into a Group Home. He is growing and learning alot there and probably was the hardest decision I ever made in my life, but turned out to be a good one. He's doing very well there and still comes home three times a week and on a weekend. He loves it there and misses his family too, but he loves the people that work with him there...My hats off to those people ..Randy you're the tops..who make my little boys' life so much better. update: since May of 1998, Joshua was placed with an associate family, Terry and Fern Milligan, who have come to love Joshua. Joshua clearly thinks the world of them too. We have a sort of extended family and Joshua is thriving nicely with this. They have been absolutely wonderful to Joshua, Adam and myself to include us in so many joints efforts in order to keep the best possible environment for Joshua. Many thanks for your love and devotion to my son. You're wonderful people and I feel very fortunate that you are taking such great love and care with my son. Special thanks to Jeremy and Cody for also welcoming Joshua and sharing Joshua with their parents. You are both wonderful boys.
Thank you Jennifer!!
Thank you Oceaneyes!!
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