6-16-09

Autism

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in young children.  It can be devastating to families, but help is available through early diagnosis and intervention.

It is estimated that one in every 150 children in the U.S. have an autism spectrum disorder, and incidences of the disorder are increasing.   Dr. Theodore Sunder, professor of child neurology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, says one reason for the increase in autism is that the medical profession is getting better at diagnosing it.  He describes the disorder:

SOUND BITE: “. . . autism is a collection of difficulties with number one language, number two socialization and social relatedness beyond what you would expect for language delay.  And, then either restricted or repetitive movements or interests.  So then the children act somewhat obsessive sometimes or they have repetitive movements such as rocking, twirling, flapping, those kinds of things.”

Sunder says no specific cause for autism has been identified.  He says children have the best chance for improvement if diagnosed and treated early.

SOUND BITE: “. . . the treatments we use for autism are programmatic as well as educational types of interventions and certain kinds of language interventions.  What we talk about, as The most specific kind of treatment is ABA, Applied Behavioral Analysis, where one utilizes discrete trials breaking more complex tasks into repetitive and well-rehearsed small bits until you have upper repertoire of a certain type of behavior.”

Sunder says specific medications also may be used in some cases.  Parents of young children who have symptoms of autism should make an appointment with their primary care physician or pediatrician for evaluation.  If autism is diagnosed, they may be referred to a pediatric specialist or neurologist for treatment.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.