The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, (WAAD) will shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. WAAD activities will help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism epidemic and will impact information regarding the importance of early diagnoses and early intervention. Additionally, WAAD will celebrate the unique talents and skills of persons with autism and will be a day when individuals with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the globe. Approximately 67 million people worldwide are affected by autism. It is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the world. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, cancer and AIDS combined. Boys are four more times likely than girls to have autism. There is no medical detection or cure for autism, but early diagnosis and intervention improve outcomes. Red Flags of Autism The following red flags may indicate that a child is at risk and should be screened to ensure that he/she is on the right developmental path: No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter No babbling by 12 months No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months No words by 16 months No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months No response when the child's name is called by 10 months Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age What is Autism? Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a persons lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups. Autism impairs a persons ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviours, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe. All of these disorders are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills and social abilities, and also by repetitive behaviours. ASD can usually be reliably diagnosed by age three, while first diagnosis usually takes place around 18-24 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviours in their child or their child's failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then lost skills. Pediatricians may initially dismiss signs of autism, thinking a child will 'catch up' and may advice parents to 'wait and see.' New research shows that when parents suspect something is wrong with their child, they are usually correct. If you have concerns about your child's development, don't wait: speak to your pediatrician about getting your child screened for autism. Although parents may have concerns about labeling a toddler as autistic, the earlier a diagnosis is given, the earlier interventions can begin. Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no single effective treatment, and no known cure. Research indicates that early behavioral intervention for at least two years during the preschool years can result in significant improvements in IQ and language ability to many young children with ASD. As soon as autism is diagnosed, behavioral intervention should begin. Effective programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills. In many countries autism is not a recognized disorder and diagnosis can be difficult. Countries must make a commitment to building capacity for earl recognition by raising awareness. Screening methods for detection of at-risk children are available for toddlers as young as 18 months of age. Such screening can occur during a regular well-baby check up.
