When I was in college I wrote a paper on autism for a sociology class. I took some ribbing from my friends because they asked “Is that really a problem?” I replied “Well, it would be if there were more autistic people.” Apparently, I was ahead of my time but naive. Due to improved awareness, broader diagnostic criterai and more widespread screening , we are more knowledgeable about the extent of this condition.
Autism is defined as ” a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with symptoms that include “persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts” and “restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of autism specturm disorder (ASD) in the United States is estimated to be one in 31 children in the United States diagnosed by age eight and one in 45 adults. There are now therapists who specialize in autism. Support groups are available. The school system in the small routine Montana town from which I recently moved had special accomodations for children with autism and ADHD, little rooms for emotional regulation when emotions seemed too big, chairs that allowed for movement.
The five common signs of autism include difficulties with social interaction, communication challenges, repetitive behaviors, sensory sensitivities and intense or unusual interests. Although “on the spectrum” is bandied about rather casually now, there are five diagnoses within the category, four rather severe to include Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Kanner’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder. The higher functioning autism was formerly called Aspberger’s syndrome. All can vary in how they manifest themselves in an individual and in their severity.
It is no coincidence that I address this issue as we are currently with our grandchildren, including our oldest who was diagnosed last year with ADHD and high functioning autism. He started “flapping” at age 2, flapping his arms, one of the noticeable repetetive behaviors. But in so many ways he seemed to be developing normally that it was easy to rationalize that it was simply “being two.” Over time, however, he has demonstrated repetitive behaviors that are offputting to other children in particular, making very strange faces, sniffing people. Yet he is a bright child, a kind, gentle soul, a great big brother to his two younger siblings. He is affectionate. He interacts, makes friends. In many ways he would be indistinguishable in his behavior from other children his age. He has benefitted greatly from social skills training, one of several treatment modalities.
In some ways this serves as a followup to last week’s blog on “Outside the Box.” We live in such a diverse world. How much better we are when we open ourselves to understanding the diverse people who live in it.
“Autism is not a processing error. It is a different operating system.” Sarah Hendrickx
The invitation is open to share two cups of tea anytime at Hope’s Café or anywhere you share companionship and conversation.
May we bearers of hope, the “wait staff” at Hope’s Café, for each other and all those we encounter. Shalom, Kate
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