Early intervention key when treating children with autism

Board member of Autism Society Ventura County said parents should look for signs



 

 

Bill Burke wasn’t sure what to think when his 2-year-old son suddenly stopped speaking and making eye contact and sometimes seemed unable to hear commands.

The behaviors were early warning signs of autism, signs Burke and his wife missed.

“We didn’t know what those things meant,” he said.

Two years later the boy was diagnosed with the disorder.

“Those years that have gone by are the prime time for treatment,” Burke said. “If I could have that back, I don’t know where we’d be, but it would be someplace better than where we are.”

Burke serves on the board of directors of the Autism Society Ventura County, and he’s part of a new campaign to educate parents about the early signs of autism.

“The key is that families not lose the time, and when they see these things, that they jump on it,” he said. “The earlier and more intensive the treatment, the better the outcome.”

Signs, treatment and help

People on the autism spectrum disorder often have problems with social, emotional and communication skills, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC estimates that about one out of 68 children has been identified with autism, which is almost five times more common among boys than among girls. Burke said the incidence rate has almost tripled in the last 15 years, during the time his now-19-yearold son was growing up.

Autism can be detected at 18 months, sometimes earlier, but many children do not receive a diagnosis until they’re much older, the CDC says. Burke wants parents to recognize the signs of autism as soon as they appear so that it can be treated immediately.

“People will see (autism) behaviors in their children and be puzzled by it,” he said.

“We must not allow so many families to lose the years most critical for intervention that were lost for my son.”

Among the signs that a baby might have autism: The baby does not return a smile by 9 months, does not respond to their name, does not point to or grasp objects by the time they are 1 (see info box at right).

A toddler or preschooler could have autism if the child loses language or a another skill, speaks with an unusual tone or rhythm, is unusually sensitive to light or prefers to play alone in the presence of other children.

A misconception about autism is that it isn’t treatable, Burke said. While it can’t be cured, “it is possible to ‘recover’ a child from autism,” he said.

Among the treatments his son received is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves inhaling oxygen.

Sharon Francis founded Channel Islands Social Services, which provides free support and child- care services to Ventura County families that have children with autism. She said “early intervention is key,” including behavioral, speech, occupational and physical therapies.

“There are quite a few kids who make significant improvements in the first few years (of treatment), so that when they enter school they don’t seem distinguishable from their peers,” Francis said.

But when diagnosed and treated late, she said, “a lot of kids end up needing one-on-one aid because of the intensity of their behaviors.”

Francis also serves on the board of directors of the Autism Society Ventura County, whose services include community talk nights and parent-to-parent mentorships.

“We’re not trying to scare anybody