Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Autistic Children Can Speak Out Now

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). First estimates were said to be 1 out every 166 children are born with autism. Recently that number has been reported to even be higher. Today the estimate stands at 1 out of 129 are autistic. Individuals who are diagnosed with autism are becoming more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It is four times more likely to strike boys than girls and it is found in all racial, ethnic, and social groups.
Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe. That is why two children with the same diagnosis may have strikingly different skill sets and act quite differently. Autism impairs a person's ability in three crucial areas of development, which are the social skills, language and behavior. In the most severe cases of autism it becomes the complete inability to communicate or interact with other people.

Social skills;
They do not respond to their name
Acquired ability for words or sentences, become lost
Have a lack of eye contact
At times it seems that they do not hear you
Unaware of others' feelings
Prefers to play alone than with others
Retreats into their own world

Language;
Late starter in talking, compared to other children
Acquired ability for words or sentences, become lost
Lack of eye contact when trying to communicate
Abnormal tone or rhythm in speech
Uses singing voice or robotic type speech
From verbatim repeat words or phrases but do not understand the uses
Will not start or keep conversation

Behavior;
Rocking, spinning or hand flapping repetitively
Rituals or routines and change in these rituals or routines becomes disturbing
Constantly moving
Becomes fascinated on an object
Can also have a sensitivity to sound, light and touch

As children with autism become more mature and engaged with others they may show less behavioral traits associated with autism. Usually those with the least severe impairments eventually may lead normal or near-normal lives. Children with autism can have normal to high intelligence. As a result they may learn quickly but still have trouble communicating and applying their skills to their everyday life and adjusting in social situations.There may come a time when an autistic child needs to communicate information. Who will be their voice if they are separated from the guardian? Recently parents have used the power of MedFN to safe guard their children for that reason. The MedFN program will become the voice for that child. It can provide as much information as you want to make available to secure and comfort your child until you are back together. We must all take steps to assure the safety our children. With MedFN, as their voice, autistic children can speak out now.