The puzzle motif is commonly associated with Autism spectrum disorder to represent the multi-faceted manifestations of the disorder and also to signify the many possible effects on the lives of those who have it. The above puzzle graphic came from the Autism Gear site. Click on the image to visit their home page and find T-shirts, stickers, support bracelets, and many other cool items that support a worthy cause.
There are many sides to Autism.
In Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism) there is the clinical side, in which autism is defined as a pervasive developmental disorder occuring on a spectrum of severity. This disorder involves impairment of social skills and
communication, and individuals experience hypersensitivity problems and exhibit bizarre or ritualistic behaviors that interfere with daily activities.
There is the scientific side of autism, which is rapidly developing as a multi-discipline field with contributions from areas such as genetics, neurology, physiology, psychiatry,
chemistry, gastroenterology, immunology and allergy sciences, dietetics, and many others combined in collaboration to find the cause and a cure for the disorder.
There is also the personal side of autism, which caregivers, friends, family members and loved ones see every day as they help those individuals problem solve in difficult situations,
overcome obstacles, and celebrate victories and successes together.
This is Eli's story.
Eli, my son, was diagnosed with autism at age 2 years. He had had a typical babyhood up to that point; he was affectionate and talkative and even had a spunky sense of humor. At about 18 months, Eli contracted rotovirus, which is a severe gastrointestinal virus. He and his sister (6 months) were hospitalized for dehydration - he for 10 days, she for only 2. Upon release, Eli was still spiking fevers and actually suffered a febrile seizure before recovering. After this illness, Eli was never the same. He stopped talking, sought dim and quiet areas where he engaged in stacking and lining up blocks and other toys for hours by himself. He would cry and scream if anyone tried to pick him up, and he lost all eye contact. He even stopped responding to his name being said. Eli also developed self-injurious and self-stimming (stimulating) behaviors which he seemed to use to block out the rest of the world.
After receiving the diagnosis of autism from a pediatric neurologist, we were left reeling - not sure what this meant or where to turn for help. Now, almost a decade later, supports are much
more widely available for parents and information on tratments and adaptive tools and materials are disseminated through outlets like schools, clinics, and state and private therapy agencies.
Grant money is available for respite care, special equipment, or dietetic supplements and special foods, and even for diapers and extra travel expenses!
Since his diagnosis, Eli has been fortunate enough to receive intensive behavioral therapy (called IBI or ABA), developmental therapy, hippotherapy, speech and occupational therapy, one-on-one
aid in school, and special accomodations at places like Disneyland, various hotels and restaurants. He has had periods of several months at a time without services, in which we saw regression each
time despite our best efforts at home. In fact, the desire to help Eli develop communicative and social skills even when formal therapy was not available was what lead me to persue a degree in
speech and language pathology. While Eli still exhibits self-stimming and ritualistic behaviors, hard work from his teachers, aids, therapists and family members have helped him develop many
adaptive skills for daily activities. He speaks in phrases, uses PECS for schedules and activity sequences, reads text phonetically and can understand concrete concepts, does 3rd grade math, tells
time, and even does household chores.
Parents absolutely need to be proactive in seeking out supports - especially
in choosing the right therapists and other caregivers who will be helping
to work through problem behaviors and to work toward developing skills
for meaningful interaction and more independent living. The more intense
the therapy
and the sooner
it begins, the better the prognosis for improvement in the long run.
Not all individuals on the autistic spectrum have severe impairments. But for those that do, parents need to be reminded that they are not alone. Their child is just as much of a wonderful,
unique person now as before their diagnosis, and life can still be a great adventure to share together.
I would like to express thanks from the bottom of my heart to my family, who has
seen us through the most heart-breaking of times as well as the most rewarding of accomplishments, and
to Katie Peterson, IBI therapist and special education teacher, who has helped make many
of those accomplishments possible. We're looking toward a bright future!
Some helpful organizations:
Informational sites on current research and treatment methods
Support organizations
And now that autism is a catchword in the media, more and more resource listings are popping up. This one from MSNBC is actually very good: