When I went to drop off my daughter at school today they had the complimentary South Jersey Mom Magazines and on the front cover was the well known ribbon with the title Diagnosis Autism. I decided to grab the issue and wanted to share some interesting topics that the article covered. It discusses how New Jersey is a leader in providing services to autistic children and their families and it gives different local support groups and private intervention program here in South Jersey. The rest of the article was on the characteristics and personal stories of families of children with autism, but I figured since April is Autism Awareness month my support would be to extend the word of these groups and interventions
Local Support Group:
Parents of Autistic Children Together
www.solvingthepuzzle.com
The New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community
www.njcosac.org
Autism Speaks
www.autismspeak.oeg
Families for Autistic Children Education and Support Groups of South Jersey
facesgroup@comcast.net
Private Intervention Programs
Communication Station, Marlton
www.communciationstation.ws
856-810-2555
Communication Behavior Associates, Collingswood
www.communcationbehaviorassociates.com
856-858-3673
Bancroft Neuro Health, Haddonfield
www.bancroftneurohealth.org/Children/child_inhome.htm
1-800-774-5516
South Jersey Kids RehabCare, Vineland
www.SJHelathCare,net
856-507-8585
Resource
Kosinski, R. (April 2008). South Jersey Mom Magazine. Diagnosis Autism. South Jersey Mom, INC. 20-21.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Autism Awareness Month
Tuesday April 1 will start Autism Awareness Month. During this month communties all over the United States and local chapters of autism will be holding events to raise awareness and money for research to help the millions of children who are diagnosed daily. Every community is different, but local papers and townships will be able to inform their community on what events are being held during this month. Please get involved so we can find a cure!
The Autism society of America will soon be posting different events that will be happening during the month of April and your local paper will inform you of close events that is open to the public!
Inspirational Stories
The first reaction that many people have when they find out that a loved one is diagnosed with autism is shock, depression, and even denial. Many do not know where to go from there or even how to treat or reacted to that child now. This is a scary thought, yet even worse is when a person does not believe that person will be able to succeed in anything. However, I have found three inspirational stories of people and their loved ones who have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum and who have all found success in different ways.
First there is Jeff a father of four who found out that his twin boys were both autistic.
Then there is Kerry a college freshman who has been battling Autism since he was four.
Lastly, a grandmother, Ruth Elaine, who was diagnosed when she was just 18 months old, even before they truly new what autism was.
Resources
Autsim Society of America. (2008). Retrieved MArch 17, 2008 from http://www.autism-society.org/.
First there is Jeff a father of four who found out that his twin boys were both autistic.
Then there is Kerry a college freshman who has been battling Autism since he was four.
Lastly, a grandmother, Ruth Elaine, who was diagnosed when she was just 18 months old, even before they truly new what autism was.
Resources
Autsim Society of America. (2008). Retrieved MArch 17, 2008 from http://www.autism-society.org/.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Shocking Statistics
I have come across some startling statistics during my research. The private funding that is given to autism is very minute compared to other child orientated disorders and disabilities. The statistics I found are as shown:
Leukemia affects 1 in 25,000 children and $310 million dollars are given
Muscular Dystrophy affects 1 in 20,000 children and $175 million dollars are given
Pediatric AIDS affects 1 in 8,000 children and $394 million dollars are given
Juvenile Diabetes affects 1 in 500 children and $130 million dollars are given
Autism affects 1 in 150 children and ONLY $15 MILLION dollars are given
There is no cure for Autism and interventions can help these children, but since most insurance will not pay for these therapies and funding is limited, children are put on waiting lists; which can be up to three years before they receive any help. This needs to change and we can all do our part, by donating just one dollar can change a child's life for the better. Early intervention is the key.
If you are interested in donating to help these children in need just visit the Autism Society of America. They are a non- profit organization and all donations help with autism awareness, education, research and most importantly families in need.
Resources
AutismSpeaks. (2008). Facts about Autism. Retrieved March 27, 2008 from http://www.autismspeaks.org/
Leukemia affects 1 in 25,000 children and $310 million dollars are given
Muscular Dystrophy affects 1 in 20,000 children and $175 million dollars are given
Pediatric AIDS affects 1 in 8,000 children and $394 million dollars are given
Juvenile Diabetes affects 1 in 500 children and $130 million dollars are given
Autism affects 1 in 150 children and ONLY $15 MILLION dollars are given
There is no cure for Autism and interventions can help these children, but since most insurance will not pay for these therapies and funding is limited, children are put on waiting lists; which can be up to three years before they receive any help. This needs to change and we can all do our part, by donating just one dollar can change a child's life for the better. Early intervention is the key.
If you are interested in donating to help these children in need just visit the Autism Society of America. They are a non- profit organization and all donations help with autism awareness, education, research and most importantly families in need.
Resources
AutismSpeaks. (2008). Facts about Autism. Retrieved March 27, 2008 from http://www.autismspeaks.org/
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Treatments
There is no cure for autism and the disorder is so complex that interventions definitely help over time but sadly do not "fix" the disorder.
Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to help the symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. According to NINDS, the ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. The earlier the intervention, the better.
NINDS has broken down the treatment into three categories and suggestions for each. They are as follows: (Take directly from the website)
Educational/behavioral interventions: Therapists use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions to help children develop social and language skills. Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with autism often helps families cope with the particular challenges of living with an autistic child.
Medications: Doctors often prescribe an antidepressant medication to handle symptoms of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anti-psychotic medications are used to treat severe behavioral problems. Seizures can be treated with one or more of the anticonvulsant drugs. Stimulant drugs, such as those used for children with attention deficit disorder (ADD), are sometimes used effectively to help decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Other therapies: There are a number of controversial therapies or interventions available for autistic children, but few, if any, are supported by scientific studies. Parents should use caution before adopting any of these treatments. (These include diet change and therapies such as the Lego therapy.)
Resources
National Institute of Neurological Disorders. (2008). Retrieved MArch 22, 2008 from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to help the symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. According to NINDS, the ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target the core symptoms of autism: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests. The earlier the intervention, the better.
NINDS has broken down the treatment into three categories and suggestions for each. They are as follows: (Take directly from the website)
Educational/behavioral interventions: Therapists use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions to help children develop social and language skills. Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with autism often helps families cope with the particular challenges of living with an autistic child.
Medications: Doctors often prescribe an antidepressant medication to handle symptoms of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anti-psychotic medications are used to treat severe behavioral problems. Seizures can be treated with one or more of the anticonvulsant drugs. Stimulant drugs, such as those used for children with attention deficit disorder (ADD), are sometimes used effectively to help decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Other therapies: There are a number of controversial therapies or interventions available for autistic children, but few, if any, are supported by scientific studies. Parents should use caution before adopting any of these treatments. (These include diet change and therapies such as the Lego therapy.)
Resources
National Institute of Neurological Disorders. (2008). Retrieved MArch 22, 2008 from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
How Autism is Diagnosed
I have given both the definition of autism and the signs and symptoms that occur with this disability, how I decided that a clearer idea of the process of the diagnoses was an important idea to included within this blog.
Since the disability is usually diagnosed by the age of three, parents observations are one of the main parts of the diagnoses. Once the parents have concluded that something seems wrong with the child they then complete an evaluation with the doctor. This evaluation consists of a list of questions about the child, screening instruments, and doctors observations. If the majority of the questions seem true the doctor will then complete a more thorough and comprehensive evaluation.
However, since Autism is so complex, a comprehensive evaluation requires a multidisciplinary team including a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, and other professionals. The different members will conduct thorough neurological assessments and in-depth cognitive and language testing. A hearing test is also administered because hearing problems can cause behavior and learning delays that can be mistaken for autism. After all the tests are completed the doctors will come up with a diagnoses, contact the parents, and explain their findings from there.
Resources
Autism Society of America. (2008). Diagnoses and Consultation. Retrieved March 18, 2008 from http://www.autism-society.org.
About.com. (2008). Screening and Diagnosis of Autism. Retrieved March 18, 2008 from http://autism.about.com/od/whatisautism/a/screendx.htm
Since the disability is usually diagnosed by the age of three, parents observations are one of the main parts of the diagnoses. Once the parents have concluded that something seems wrong with the child they then complete an evaluation with the doctor. This evaluation consists of a list of questions about the child, screening instruments, and doctors observations. If the majority of the questions seem true the doctor will then complete a more thorough and comprehensive evaluation.
However, since Autism is so complex, a comprehensive evaluation requires a multidisciplinary team including a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, and other professionals. The different members will conduct thorough neurological assessments and in-depth cognitive and language testing. A hearing test is also administered because hearing problems can cause behavior and learning delays that can be mistaken for autism. After all the tests are completed the doctors will come up with a diagnoses, contact the parents, and explain their findings from there.
Resources
Autism Society of America. (2008). Diagnoses and Consultation. Retrieved March 18, 2008 from http://www.autism-society.org.
About.com. (2008). Screening and Diagnosis of Autism. Retrieved March 18, 2008 from http://autism.about.com/od/whatisautism/a/screendx.htm
The Autism Advocacy
It seems like no matter the topic, event, or even person, if there is information out there, there will also be an advocacy site accompanying. Since information posted on the Internet is public domain people who create advocacy website can do so whether it is for a good cause or not. As I was conducting research I came along the Autism of America Advocacy website and wanted to share it because this was a sincere and truthful advocacy.
These advocacy has been helping and working with autistic children for over 30 years now and have been able to raise millions of dollars for research and services. As the website states, "Leaders and staff have had success in launching of a number of pieces of legislation aimed at protecting the rights of individuals with autism, legislation mandating education and other services for individuals with autism, bills to raise awareness about autism, and bills appropriating funds for research into the causes of and treatments for autism."
This is a truly amazing advocacy, one out there for a good cause. One that helps. One that succeeds. One that is truthful. And one that needs to be known so these children can be treated, so that they can live the best life possible!
Resources
Autsim Society of America. (2008).Advocacy Efforts. Retrieved MArch 17, 2008 from http://www.autism-society.org.
These advocacy has been helping and working with autistic children for over 30 years now and have been able to raise millions of dollars for research and services. As the website states, "Leaders and staff have had success in launching of a number of pieces of legislation aimed at protecting the rights of individuals with autism, legislation mandating education and other services for individuals with autism, bills to raise awareness about autism, and bills appropriating funds for research into the causes of and treatments for autism."
This is a truly amazing advocacy, one out there for a good cause. One that helps. One that succeeds. One that is truthful. And one that needs to be known so these children can be treated, so that they can live the best life possible!
Resources
Autsim Society of America. (2008).Advocacy Efforts. Retrieved MArch 17, 2008 from http://www.autism-society.org.
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