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Diane Adreon, M.A.
Associate Director of the UM / Nova Southeastern
University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
www.umcard.org
Pansy introduced Ms. Adreon:
A child born with any form of impairment or disorder usually becomes a major
lifetime concern for a parent. But, as the wheels of medical science continues
to turn, more preventative and curative measures are coming to the aid of
parents and families.
Autism, a lifelong neurological disorder, is a condition in which children are
unable to develop normal relationship with others. Infantile Autism develops
before 30 months of age and is characterized by impaired verbal and non-verbal
communication, imaginative activity, and social interaction. According to
statistics from the US Dept. of Education and other government agencies, Autism
is growing at a rate of 10-17% per year. At this rate, the Autism Society of
America estimates that the prevalence of Autism could reach 4 million Americans
in the next decade.
Our guest speaker for today will enlighten us on this organizations effort to
identify the underlying causes of this disorder and to increase its public
awareness.
She has presented nationally and internationally on high-functioning Autism and
Asperger’s Disorder. She is co-author of Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence:
Practical Solutions for School Success (2001_ winner of the Autism Society of
America & Developmental Disorders and Intervention in School & Clinic.
From the website:
www.umcard.org
What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong neurological disability that affects a person’s ability to
communicate, understand language, play and socially interact with others. The
first signs of autism usually appear as developmental delays before age three.
Autism is classified as a developmental disability because it interferes with
the typical rate and patterns of childhood development.
There are diagnoses closely related to autism such as PDD-NOS (pervasive
development disorder not otherwise specified), Asperger’s syndrome, and Rett’s
syndrome that are included in the category of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Characteristics
Every person with autism is different. However, there are some common
characteristics of individuals with autism that may occur.
Remember that although these are some common characteristics no two persons with
autism experience the world or behave in the same way.
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Difficulty in using and understanding language. Some
children develop typical speech patterns until age two.
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Poorly developed social skills and unusual play with
toys.
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Over or under sensitivity to sound, sight, taste, touch,
or smell.
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Repetitive behaviors such as spinning objects or rocking.
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Certain behaviors exhibited to stimulate the senses, such
as switching a light on and off repeatedly, or humming loudly.
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Difficulty with changes to surroundings or routines.
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Very high levels of activity for long periods of time.
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Uneven skill development. Some skills are normal or
superior for their age while others show significant delay.
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Challenging behaviors such as aggression, self injury or
severe withdrawal.
Causes
Nobody knows what causes autism. Some scientists believe there is a biological
cause that affects the working of the brain, but this has not been proven. It is
possible there are many factors that could interact with one another which could
cause different characteristics in each individual with autism. Parents do not
cause autism. No factors in a child’s experiences or in parenting styles are
responsible for autism.
Facts
According to the Autism Society of America, Autism Spectrum Disorder occurs in
about 1 of every 500 births, and four times more often in boys than girls.
Families of all racial, ethnic and social backgrounds anywhere in the world are
affected.
Autism occurs by itself, with mental retardation, or with other health problems,
such as epilepsy, viral infections, or changes in a person’s growth rate or
metabolism.
Less than 5 percent of persons with autism exhibit the genius-like abilities
like Dustin Hoffman portrayed in “Rain Man.”
What is CARD?
Florida is home to many individuals with autism and related disabilities. In
response to their needs, as well as those of their families, seven regional,
nonresidential resource centers have been established at Florida State
University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida at
Gainesville, the University of Florida Health Science Center at Jacksonville,
the University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University and the University
of Miami & Nova Southeastern University (UM-NSU CARD). UM-NSU CARD provides
services within a three county catchment area that includes Miami-Dade, Broward,
and Monroe Counties. |
