Autism
Isolated
in worlds of their own, people with
autism appear indifferent and remote
and are unable to form emotional bonds
with others. Although people with
this baffling brain disorder can display
a wide range of symptoms and disability,
many are incapable of understanding
other people's thoughts, feelings,
and needs. Often, language and intelligence
fail to develop fully, making communication
and social relationships difficult.
Many people with autism engage in
repetitive activities, like rocking
or banging their heads, or rigidly
following familiar patterns in their
everyday routines. Some are painfully
sensitive to sound, touch, sight,
or smell.
Children
with autism do not follow the
typical patterns of child development.
In some children, hints of future
problems may be apparent from birth.
In most cases, the problems become
more noticeable as the child slips
farther behind other children the
same age. Other children start off
well enough. But between 18 and 36
months old, they suddenly reject people,
act strangely, and lose language and
social skills they had already acquired.
As
a parent, teacher, or caregiver you
may know the frustration of trying
to communicate and connect with children
or adults who have autism. You may
feel ignored as they engage in endlessly
repetitive
behaviors. You may despair at
the bizarre ways they express their
inner needs. And you may feel sorrow
that your hopes and dreams for them
may never materialize.
But
there is help-and hope. Gone are the
days when people with autism were
isolated, typically sent away to institutions.
Today, many youngsters can be helped
to attend school with other children.
Methods are available to help improve
their social, language, and academic
skills. Even though more than 60 percent
of adults with autism continue to
need care throughout their lives,
some programs are beginning to demonstrate
that with appropriate support, many
people with autism can be trained
to do meaningful work and participate
in the life of the community.
Autism
is found in every country and region
of the world, and in families of all
racial, ethnic, religious, and economic
backgrounds. Emerging in childhood,
it affects about 1 or 2 people in
every thousand and is three to four
times more common in boys than girls.
Girls with the disorder, however,
tend to have more severe symptoms
and lower intelligence. In addition
to loss of personal potential, the
cost of health and educational
services to those affected exceeds
$3 billion each year. So, at some
level, autism affects us all.
Find
an Autism Lawyer in Any State:
|
