Autism talk teaches recognition, response

By LAURA BUCK


The 10-year-old who has never spoken a word in his life and the 14-year-old girl who spends hours fixating on the wives of King Henry VIII have the same condition.

One is classified as low functioning, the other is considered higher functioning, and they both have parents who have become experts on what has made them this way and what will keep them safe.

The father of the 10-year-old is Lt. Col. Scott Campbell of the U.S. Army, who gave a presentation titled Autism Spectrum Disorders and Safety last Thursday night at the Prince Frederick Volunteer Rescue Squad. His son, Ian, has low functioning autism and Campbell said, "he only communicates through a computer" and knows some sign language.

Deborah Ursiny of Lusby, who introduced Campbell and is president of the Autism-Asperger Association of Calvert County, learned her daughter Jessica was autistic when she was 8 years old.

"That diagnosis takes a long time to digest … you think this is the child who's going to save the world and then you find out that's not going to happen," Ursiny said of Jessica, who is now 14 and clings to obsessions including the love life of the legendary monarch even though, according to her mom, she does not enjoy school.

Jessica's behavior, according to Campbell, is not atypical for her condition, which he described as "a mental delay" that differs from a mental or physiological disorder. Though he also frequently stressed that "each person with autism is unique," he said there are three main aspects of diagnostic criteria.

The criteria include: qualitative impairment in social interaction; qualitative impairment in communication; and restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities.

Campbell, however, stressed that these symptoms are shared by many unaffected individuals; they are only displayed more drastically in people with autism.

"[If you go by that criteria] all of us have some form of autism," said Campbell, who then joked, "except for maybe President Obama. He seems to be in pretty good shape."

Campbell listed some more specific traits possessed by people with autism. One of the most specific behaviors, he said, is engaging in self stimulating behavior or "stims," which might include spinning around, flapping one's arms or being fascinated with twirling various objects such as leaves or flowers.

"If they're stimming, as long as it isn't a danger to them or you or somebody else, let them do it. It's their way of getting situated and relaxing," Campbell said.

People with autism, are not, however, relaxed if they feel their personal space is being invaded, he said.

"Most of these individuals … are in their own little world and they can become very upset if it's interrupted. They really don't care about you," Campbell said, adding that despite this character trait people with autism are very trusting individuals which can make them likely victims of crimes that can be sexual.

He said to prevent this from happening, parents of a child with autism should make sure their community becomes familiar with their child through initiatives like the "get to know Ian" party he and his wife held when they were stationed in Paris.

Campbell also said that as a means of keeping autistic children healthy and calm, parents should also monitor their diet and particularly avoid giving them desserts or products involving a lot of sugar or artificial flavoring.

He did say, however, that French fries and plain potato chips are OK, and the former of the two is a particular favorite of his son.

"If you're holding a French fry, it is not your French fry; it belongs to him," said Campbell, who cited an experience in which his son ran after a fry-holding stranger at a McDonald's.

He said that instances like this one make it difficult for his family to spend time in social circles of people not used to his son's condition.

"We don't hang out with any other families except for those with autism [in their family] … Ian's behavior is normal to them," Campbell said.

Another difficulty for families with autistic children is financing the disorder, which Campbell said costs an estimated $3.2 million per person for costs including "housing, education, healthcare and lost productivity in parents."

Though it is usually the parents caring for the autistic child, Ursiny, who has Type 1 Diabetes, cited an incident in which her daughter found her unconscious but still was mostly concerned with getting to school on time.

"They cling to routine more in crises than they do out of one," Ursiny said, adding that she thinks there should be some way for 911 operators to know which households have autistic occupants should one ever have to call to report an emergency.

Despite her daughter's inclination to adhere to her schedule, Ursiny said she has no doubt as to where Jessica's heart is.

"I know she loves me," Ursiny said.

Other symptoms of autism Campell cited include delayed speech; appearing insensitive to physical pain; anxious or nervous behavior; acting upset or laughing for no apparent reason; having tantrums or running away unexpectedly; unusual reactions to a sensory environment; contorted posture; covering ears; looking away or being unable to maintain eye contact; difficulty judging personal space; self injurious behavior; no real fear of dangers; attachment to things that are not age appropriate; and being drawn to the water.

Source: http://www.somdnews.com/stories/0128...11_32215.shtml

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