Goose Hill Farm - Autism Awareness

Goose Hill Farm

Apr. 2, 2008 - Autism Awareness

Posted in AUTISM

April 2 is World Autism Day!

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.

Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”

The five disorders under PDD are:

Autistic Disorder
Asperger's Syndrome (My son falls under this category)
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
Rett's Disorder
PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

Asperger's Syndrome/Disorder

Asperger's Disorder was first described in the 1940s by Viennese pediatrician Hans Asperger who observed autistic-like behaviors and difficulties with social and communication skills in boys who had normal intelligence and language development. Many professionals felt Asperger's Disorder was simply a milder form of autism and used the term "high-functioning autism" to describe these individuals. Professor Uta Frith, with the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience of University College London and author of Autism and Asperger Syndrome, describes individuals with Asperger's Disorder as "having a dash of Autism." Asperger's Disorder was added to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in 1994 as a separate disorder from autism. However, there are still many professionals who consider Asperger's Disorder a less severe form of autism.

What distinguishes Asperger's Disorder from autism is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. Children with Asperger's Disorder may be only mildly affected and frequently have good language and cognitive skills. To the untrained observer, a child with Asperger's Disorder may just seem like a normal child behaving differently.

Children with autism are frequently seen as aloof and uninterested in others. This is not the case with Asperger's Disorder. Individuals with Asperger's Disorder usually want to fit in and have interaction with others; they simply don't know how to do it. They may be socially awkward, not understanding of conventional social rules, or may show a lack of empathy. They may have limited eye contact, seem to be unengaged in a conversation, and not understand the use of gestures.

Interests in a particular subject may border on the obsessive. Children with Asperger's Disorder frequently like to collect categories of things, such as rocks or bottle caps. They may be proficient in knowing categories of information, such as baseball statistics or Latin names of flowers. While they may have good rote memory skills, they have difficulty with abstract concepts.

One of the major differences between Asperger's Disorder and autism is that, by definition, there is no speech delay in Asperger's. In fact, children with Asperger's Disorder frequently have good language skills; they simply use language in different ways. Speech patterns may be unusual, lack inflection or have a rhythmic nature or it may be formal, but too loud or high pitched. Children with Asperger's Disorder may not understand the subtleties of language, such as irony and humor, or they may not understand the give and take nature of a conversation.

Another distinction between Asperger's Disorder and autism concerns cognitive ability. While some individuals with Autism experience mental retardation, by definition a person with Asperger's Disorder cannot possess a "clinically significant" cognitive delay and most possess an average to above average intelligence.

While motor difficulties are not a specific criteria for Asperger's, children with Asperger's Disorder frequently have motor skill delays and may appear clumsy or awkward.

Living With Autism

The demands of raising a child with autism are great, and families frequently experience high levels of stress. Recognizing and preparing yourself for the challenges that are in store will make a tremendous difference to all involved, including the parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family, and friends.

The uniqueness of each individual with autism makes the experience of raising a child with autism different for each family. But there are some consistent themes or issues that most families will want to be aware to be able to provide the best support to the individual and to family members.

The ASA has developed in-depth information on a variety of topics related to living with autism. The information below is by no means exhaustive, but it should help to equip families with some of the basic tools they may need to successfully raise a child with autism.

Autism Society of America
2008

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Comments

Apr. 2, 2008 - Hey

Posted by luvs2bemom

Very informative. Thanks for posting!
Belinda

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Apr. 2, 2008 - very informative

Posted by tcrossland

I didn't know all these things. When they told me my son had Aspergers, they just left it at that. I never did all the research. Thank you for the great information.
Tami

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Apr. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by MayTheyBeMightyMen

(((hugs)))

This is the kind of entry that teaches me so much. Despite working in a TMH classroom many years ago, I didn't know a fraction of what you've shared here. I'm grateful to have read it. I'll always continue to pray for you and your family. :')

Hope you're having a wonderful day today!

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Apr. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by friends4tea

How long ago was it that you found out your son had Aspergers? We just got some labs back from a DAN doctor this past Monday showing our son is mildly autistic. His speech is way behind for his age and has a spinning/rocking habits. Socialy though he's really good which I am thankful for!

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About Me

WELCOME to our little country corner! My name is Laura. I am a Christian wife and mother who loves the Lord and thanks him daily for the many blessings he has given me. My husband David and I have 3 BEAUTIFUL children. Goose 21, Bean 19, and Kiddo, 13. We live in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley where everyday we are amazed at the AWESOME wonder of this beautiful world that God has created for all of us! Join us as we embark on a new and wonderful journey........our first year home-schooling our son with Asperger's Syndrome and frugal living. Come on over, pull up a chair and stay awhile...............The coffee's on!

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Goose graduated this semester from our local community college with an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences. She will continue her education as it is her desire to become a Child Psychologist. She is recently engaged and is planning for an April '09 wedding. Goose enjoys cooking, the outdoors, crabbing, spending time with friends, working out, finding mouth-watering Weight Watcher's recipes, watching HOUSE, Will and Grace, BRIDEZILLA, and buying Pampered Chef and Mary Kay!

Bean is very artistic and a whiz on the computer. She and a friend of hers have a web-site where she designs military MySpace layouts. She really enjoys doing this and is very good at it. Bean designed a layout for a friend of the family who recently got married, using pictures from the wedding. It was beautiful! Bean loves animals, enjoys cooking, sleeping, working on the computer, EATING, spending time with friends and family, texting on her cell phone, watching HOUSE, and Paula Dean.

Kiddo is enjoying being homeschooled. He enjoys playing video games, board games, and listening to his MP3 player. He is a STYX, Relient K, and RUSH fan, just like his dad. He also enjoys board games, listening to Adventures in Odyssey, and attending the Youth Group at our church. Kiddo also loves to EAT, play POKEMON, spending time with his cousin, NEMO, arguing with Bean, and watching HOUSE.

This is my girl, Paws......the BEST doggone dog in the world!!!

This is Grandma's girl, Bailey.....She is soooo adorable!!!!