April is Autism Awareness Month

This month you will see a lot of media attention given to Autism Awareness Month. It is a campaign to bring more awareness to this disorder that affects many children and their families. And, with this awareness often comes more questions such as: What causes Autism? Who is most susceptible? Is there a cure? Are we closer to a cure? Can we prevent autism?

Unfortunately, like many other medical conditions, there are not many answers. Even more so, there are disagreements within the medical community and the autism community as to outside factors that may cause autism – most notably vaccinations.

According to www.autismspeaks.org it is estimated that one out of every 110 children are diagnosed with some form of autism. When it comes to boys, 1-in70 are estimated to have autism. This is amazinglycommon within society – more proliferative than many other diseases such as diabetes or cancer.

So, why does autism diagnoses seem to be on the rise? Where was it 10, 15 and 20 years ago? The most logical response is that it has always been here. However, not until the last decade or so have we been able to diagnose it accurately. Generally, when a dramatic increase in diagnosed cases arise in a disorder, it is not due to a sudden epidemic, but more so because the criteria for diagnosing the condition has improved. Such is the case with autism.

The other question is what, if any, role does envinronment factors play in autism? Today, we are always looking for the impact of environmental factors on disorders and disases that we do not understand. In cancer, we know smoking is an environmental factor. We undertand the role of lead, asbestos and other pollutants on certain diseases. However, there does not seem to be a consensus on what factors cause autism.

With continued funding for research, hopefully some of these questions can be answered. In the meantime, the children and families affected by autism continue to find ways to improve their lives. For the rest of us who are not affected by autism, it is important to understand how our friends, family members and loved ones are affected by this disorder.

For more information, check out www.autismspeaks.org or www.autism-society.org.

Autism is On the Rise: What Can We Do to Help Our Children

By Sheryl Rosin, PhD, CCC-SLP

About one child in 150 develops an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by the age of eight, according to a study released in February, 2007 by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The study, which looked at cases of so-called Autism Spectrum Disorders in 14 states in 2000 and 2002, is the most rigorous analysis to date of the disorders’ prevalence in the United States. It confirms recent estimates, which put the number at roughly one in 166 children. The study suggested that some 560,000 Americans age 21 or under struggled with ASD.

The new prevalence numbers are not likely to settle the continuing debates about whether there has been a true rise in autism and, if so, the underlying causes of that increase. As far as causes: some blame thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that was used in infant vaccines up until six years ago. Scientists concede that they don’t know the cause, but say the science doesn’t support a link to vaccines. We do know that researchers say that genetic variations as well as developmental and environmental factors combine to cause the disorders, but know little more than that. We also know that there is greater awareness of the disorder as well as better diagnostic tools. There is also more access to data regarding numbers of children with the diagnosis from various sites and research groups tracking incidence and prevalence of ASD.

These factors led researchers to discover that there are more children out there diagnosed with ASDs than ever before. CDC Director Julie Gerberding said in a statement that it’s still unknown whether there’s an actual increase in autism or just better studies. “We do know, however, that these disorders are affecting too many children,” Gerberding said.

Advocates for people with autism say the increase in prevalence should help them push for more services. States have struggled to provide adequate services to the rising number of individuals with ASD. This new information regarding prevalence can be used by communities to help plan for the future needs of these children. We know the best outcomes happen when children are identified early and receive early intervention. The revised estimates will hopefully increase awareness so that we can get legislation to provide appropriate services to those with ASD.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders have disabling difficulties in communicating, forming relationships (impaired social skills) and adjusting to change. Those on the spectrum can have communication and social difficulties that range from very mild to severe. Common profiles of children diagnosed with ASD are:

• Qualitative Impairment in Communication

• Qualitative Impairment in Social Skills

• Repetitive, Stereotypic Behaviors

In addition, studies have revised our beliefs regarding:

• Mental retardation: 33% to 64% of children with ASDs also had mental retardation, less than the 70%-75% previously thought.

• Gender difference: For every girl affected, three to seven boys were; the rate varies by state. It has been estimated that boys are four times as likely to have an ASD as girls.

• Racial differences: Most sites report similar rates in black and white children.

Regardless of the etiology or the exact prevalence numbers, it is important for us to know how to improve the lives of these individuals. There are many treatment options to improve the communication and social deficits that children with autism possess. These treatments are provided by different professionals specializing in ASD such, as speech-language pathologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, neurologists, and developmental specialists. This is not an exhaustive list of the many disciplines involved in the treatment of individuals with ASD.

The goals of the various treatments are to improve communication, relationships, behavior and sensory issues. Each profession specializes in treating the individual so that a combination of approaches works best to treat the disorder as a whole. Many misconceptions have been formed that one type of treatment is the best and the only form that should be used. However, research has now shown that a holistic approach to treatment is best to improve the deficits in individuals with ASD. Common treatment approaches that have been developed to address the range of language, social, behavioral and sensory difficulties include Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Floor Time, Social Stories, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Sensory Integration.

What can we do to help our children? The earlier a child is diagnosed, the earlier the child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention approaches available. Research indicates that early diagnosis is associated with dramatically better outcomes for individuals with ASD. Contact your local public school or private facility for diagnostic and treatment options.

Helpful Resources for more information regarding ASD:

• Autism Society of America – www.asa.org

• Autism Speaks – www.autismspeaks.org

Dr. Sheryl Rosin is a speech/language pathologist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders. She received her doctorate from Wayne State University and is a member of the Autism Society of America and the Autism Society of Michigan. She has presented numerous lectures pertaining to Autism and treatment options available.