AUTISM: Are You Aware?

by Kristyn Crow | More from this Blogger

06 Apr 2007 02:48 AM

April is autism awareness month, so I'm writing this blog to check your awareness level. Whether you parent a child with autism, know someone who does, or if you just happen to be reading this blog for interest's sake, understanding certain facts about this condition is extremely important. Autism is no longer an obscure, rare thing. It's all around us, and we need to be tolerant, supportive, and vigilant in searching for answers so that we can eventually shed some light on what is causing this mysterious disorder.

• Are you aware that autism has now been deemed a national epidemic?

• Did you know that one in one hundred fifty children has autism in the United States? (That's a whole lot.)

• Did you know that a child is diagnosed with autism every twenty minutes?

• Are you aware that autism is more prevalent than breast cancer, leukemia, juvenile diabetes, and many other conditions?

• Did you know that autism is not caused by bad parenting or a lack of parental bonding?

• Did you know that the symptoms of autism vary greatly from child to child, with some being severely affected and others only mildly?

• Experts now say that children with autism have a genetic predisposition to the condition, but it is set in motion by some sort of mysterious environmental trigger. (This is the same explanation experts are giving for juvenile diabetes, too--genetic predisposition plus environmental trigger.)

Oprah Helps Promote Awareness

A very sensitive, informative episode aired on the Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday, where parents of autistic children talked about their lives and the realities of parenting kids with autism. Some of the parents had children who barely spoke, locked in their own strange world of odd repetitive behaviors. The parents described the scorn of onlookers who observed their children throwing tantrums in public places or engaging in peculiar behaviors. We also were able to hear from several siblings of autistic children who described their loneliness and pain, especially because the disabled child tends to "suck away" all the parental attention and focus. I applaud Oprah and the program for certainly doing a great deal to spread awareness of the plight of parents faced with this troubling, devastating reality. The more awareness, the more empathy.

Parents of Autistic Children Deserve Support and Empathy

And empathy is what these parents need. Not scorn, not tsk tsking, not outsiders stepping up and suggesting that they are parenting their kids all wrong. These moms and dads also need doctors to hear them and take their concerns seriously, especially because early intervention is absolutely essential. I know this firsthand. I was shooed out the door when I told my son's pediatrician that I felt something was wrong. I was told that it was common for second children to develop speech at a slower rate than their older siblings. "Nothing to worry about," the pediatrician said and I was sent on my way. How many parents, I wonder, are right now being told the same thing about their autistic sons or daughters, and are therefore missing opportunities to get them properly evaluated and provided with early intervention therapies?

Let's spread the word. Nobody walking around in the supermarket or waiting in an airport should be unfamiliar with the term "autism." We should be offering support and understanding to parents in this predicament, rather than intolerance. Doctors should encourage evaluations and be fully informed about the symptoms and epidemic nature of this puzzling disorder. YOU can make a difference. Reach out to another parent. Help educate.

Please read more about the symptoms and treatments of autism spectrum disorders by clicking here.

Kristyn Crow is the author of this blog. Visit her website by clicking here. Some links on this blog may have been generated by outside sources are not necessarily endorsed by Kristyn Crow.

Learn more about Kristyn Crow

Kristyn Crow is the mother of seven children, and the author of three children's books. Visit her website at www.kristyncrow.com.

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Valorie Delp (49340) 06 Apr 2007 12:37 PM

When our son was speech delayed she went the opposite direction. I found myself attending a whole slew of appointments, evaluations, and even sign language classes! As it turns out his series of ear infections temporarily damaged his ear drums. They eventually healed and now at age 6 we are baraged with "Why?" (Actually our appointment w/ a cognitive psychologist to see if he qualified for EI was our first clue that he was gifted.) At the time I was annoyed. . .it was hard to get to all those appointments with a 4yo, 2yo and infant. But I am so thankful for a pedi that takes my concerns very, very seriously! Great article Krystin!