Dr. Henry Paul, MD

Psychiatrist, Author and Educator

Tag Archives: my child isn’t speaking

CDC SAYS 1 IN 68 CHILDREN IS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM – SO WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN?

March 28th, 2014

This morning, almost every news outlet ran a story about the latest CDC study stating one in 68 children has Autism. Lenny Bernstein reported today in The Washington Post “To Your Health” section that “ The number of U.S. children with autism has surged to one in 68, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday, a 30 percent increase since the agency estimated just two years ago that one child in 88 suffered from the disorder.

The new estimate, based on a review of records in 2010 for eight year olds in 11 states, also showed a marked increase in the number of children with higher IQs who fall somewhere on the autism spectrum, and a broad range of results depending on where a child lives. Only one child in 175 was diagnosed with autism in Alabama, while one in 45 was found to have the disorder in New Jersey.”

What does all this mean to parents? First, if you suspect that your child may be on the spectrum [read my earlier blog this week on the signs of Autism] then you need to have your child seen by a professional who will make a diagnosis. You will also need to speak with the CSE (Committee on Special Education) at your child’s school to discuss testing. The testing will identify what support services the school will be able to offer your child through an Independent Education Plan, known as the IEP.

As frightening as this diagnosis may be for parents there are children on the autism spectrum that are able to lead productive lives. Many celebrated people have been diagnosed or are suspected of being on the autism spectrum. The best thing you can do is to learn about autism and be sure your child receives all the services available in your area.

The Signs of Autism — I Think My Child Might Be on The Spectrum

DISCLAIMER

Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.

I THINK MY CHILD MIGHT BE ON THE SPECTRUM

March 24th, 2014

“I’m terrified, Doctor, Philip is almost two and he still hasn’t said a word. Could he be Autistic?”

Autism, today, is one of the most talked about, and feared, diagnoses for parents. Autism and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development that affect each person in different ways, and can range from very mild to severe. Generally symptoms start before the age of three years old and last a lifetime. There are three types ASD’s; Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also called “atypical autism”). All three are characterized by varying degrees of difficulty with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. These symptoms include:

  • Impaired social relatedness
  • Lack of social reciprocity
  • Decreased peer relationships
  • Sharing deficits
  • Delayed or lack of language
  • Odd/repetitive speech
  • Poor conversational skills
  • Rigidity
  • An obsessive need for sameness
  • Rituals
  • Motor mannerisms
  • Preoccupations with parts of objects or narrow interests

As with so many other psychiatric syndromes, we don’t know exactly what causes autism, but we do know that it is not caused — as had once widely been thought — by cold, inattentive, negligent or unloving parents. Autism seems to be a disorder connected with dysfunction in the central nervous system. While no clear lesion or specific neurotransmitter has been isolated as the cause, we know that genetics plays a role.

As for treating with medication, antipsychotic drugs have only proven helpful in a narrow range of symptoms including irritability, tantrums, some of the motor issues, the occasional high anxiety of these children (sometimes to the point of psychosis), and repetitive behaviors. Unfortunately, there is little pharmacological help for the core of Autism, which is impaired communication and decreased relatedness.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.