The WM Parenting Connection

Image by Tricia Wang 王圣捷 via Flickr

The term autism covers a spectrum of developmental disorders characterized by impaired communication skills and difficulty interacting with others. Boys born in 2011 have a 1 in 70 chance of being diagnosed with autism. The diagnosis rate for all children born today is 1 in 110.

These numbers are staggering. Autism diagnoses have increased 10-fold since the 1980s. With rates this high, doctors are reporting "autism anxiety" in many new parents.

Parents are scrutinizing their infants for signs of the disorder, although it is generally accepted that a diagnosis cannot be made until a child is at least 2-3 years old.

While it is difficult these days to find a family who doesn’t know someone affected by autism, we still don't know what causes this disorder.

Appropriate interventions need to be evaluated on an individual basis and may include physical, speech and occupational therapy, sensory therapy, nutritional counseling, a pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, gastrointestinal and immune specialists and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

These interventions may cost an estimated $5 million over the life of an autistic person. Access to appropriate interventions is something that we as a society need to address. Parents may be ill-equipped to deal with the unique challenges of parenting an autistic child and may resort to inappropriate child-rearing techniques that result in worse outcomes for the children.

A case in point involves John C. Eckhart, 30, and Alayna M. Higdon, 26, who were arrested just days ago after police discovered that the couple were allegedly keeping two autistic boys locked in a darkened, caged room in their Vancouver, WA apartment. The children, ages 5 and 7, were found wearing diapers with nothing in their room other than a mattress.

Autistic children deserve better than this. We as a society need to address the growing numbers of those affected by autism with funds to support research and interventions. Parents and caregivers deserve our full support so that they can help autistic children reach their full potential.

April is Autism Awareness Month