April is Autism Month

 April is Autism Month

During the month of April, we give attention to the issue of autism.  Which is a good thing because during the other months of the year we can spend looking for appropriate programs for kids and adults who are on the spectrum.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, autism is a condition that results from differences in the way that a brain develops.  Autism is a spectrum disorder.  That means its manifestation can be very minor and subtle or at the other end be very severe to the point of totally overwhelming an individual’s life.

As with anything else, the extra attention in the media has created an influx of identification.  That, taken together with the historical (Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson) identifications, being diagnosed with mild autism is almost a social benefit.

One of the more common treatments is ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) usually done one to one and requiring many hoops through which families need to jump in order to receive the service.  All 50 states now have laws requiring that insurance cover the treatment for people identified.  However, treatment is expensive so insurance companies are slow to accept the need.

What else is there?  First and foremost, we should be essentially past the view that kids on the autism spectrum are are emotionally disturbed and should  be treated as such.  People on the autism spectrum are not emotionally disturbed, even if their behaviors might sometimes mimic those who are.

Secondly, instruction in social awareness and speech and language therapy are crucial interventions to ensure that more mildly impacted individuals can thrive at their highest level.  Lastly, the earlier the better, is particularly critical for those on the autism spectrum.  Progress can be slow but the earlier intervention begins the better.

But what of adults who may be late to the diagnosis.  Counseling for social awareness and compensation in social situations ensures that adults can make the most of their abilities.

Autism is with us all year long.  It’s a lifelong complication for those on the spectrum.  The manifestations of the diagnosis are multiple and often co-morbid with other disabilities.

May will soon be here.  It would be good to double down on providing service for the remaining eleven months until we come around again to autism’s month.