What is Autism - Melissa Johnston

While autism is one of the most common developmental disorders American cildren face, many professionals in the medical and educational fields are still unaware of the best methods to diagnose and treat the disorder. (What is known is once a diagnosis is made initiating early intervention services significantly improves outcomes for people with autism and can reduce the level of funding and services needed later in life. Signs: Does not respond to his/her name; Lack or delay of speech; Repetitive behavior; Little or no eye contact; Lack of interest in peers; Lack of spontaneous play; Persistent fixation on parts of objects; over or undersensitivity to pain; unresponsive to normal teaching methods; Uneven gross/fine motor skills; Does not point to objects; Tantrums. Treatments: Autism is treatable. children to not outgrow autism. However, research has shown that intensive early intervention yields a tremendous amount of progress. By the time these children reach kindergarten it can often reduce the need for intensive support. Cost of Autism: Lifetime per capita cost $3.2 million per person. The cost to society is at least $35 billion per year. Types of Intervention: Behavior modification or one on one therapy; Sensory integration therapy-coping with sensory stimulation; Play therapy-improve emotional development adult-child interaction; speech therapy-sign lanuage and the Pecs System; Biomedical treatment-diet modification and supplements; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Medication. Short term goal for Lapeer Autism Family Relief Fund: We need to get the endowment above $10,000 asap. Bring some of the therapists from Beaumont Hospital here to work with families. Once we have funding and are able to help families, we will be able to bring more awareness to the community by running local stories describing what families are doing to treat/help their children and how the fund is helping them make that happen.