#BTColumn – Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

by Wayne Campbell

“Many people with autism still live in isolation, discriminated against and disconnected from their communities or even in their own homes. This World

Autism Awareness Day, we must reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive, equitable & sustainable world for people with autism.” –  António Guterres, United Nations Secretary- General.

Almost every family has at least one member who is autistic. Autism is still shrouded in mystery; some argue that environmental factors are the root cause, while others differ.

What we do know is that the diagnosis of autism is becoming more frequent in the world.

It is not uncommon for siblings to be autistic. It appears that once a mother has one autistic child the likelihood of having another autistic child increases.

We are now at a juncture where more information concerning this developmental disorder is available. A recent interaction with a single mother of an autistic child allowed me some insight into this developmental disorder. She was at her wits end regarding finding a school to enroll her child.

Unfortunately, this mother’s story is not unique. Many parents who have autistic children find it difficult to cope and understand these children. World Autism Awareness Day is observed on April 2. The day recognises and spreads awareness for the rights of people with autism.

The condition typically starts during childhood and continues into adulthood.  Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder characterised by behavioural and communicational affections that impact a person’s ability to navigate social interactions and also causes repetitive and restricted behaviour.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects speech, social skills, learning
and behaviour. The term ‘developmental disability’ means that it results from a problem occurring when the brain was developing in the early years. Typically, persons with developmental disabilities show features in the first six years of life, but these features often continue into adulthood.

The term ‘spectrum’ means that some persons will have very severe features and some persons will have very mild features. The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) statistics revealed that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is 4.3 times more prevalent in boys than it is in girls? This is because girls “often go undiagnosed because they don’t fit autism stereotypes and they mask symptoms better than boys do,” according to the Child Mind Institute.

In Jamaica, where we have almost 40,000 births per year, this means that approximately 600 children per year will be diagnosed with ASD.

History of Autism

The first historical appearance of the word “Autism” was made in 1911 by the psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, who used the term to describe a specific cluster of symptoms that were considered simple symptoms of schizophrenia as an extreme social withdrawal.

In that order, it was in 1943, when pediatric psychiatrist Dr. Leo Kanner characterised Autism as a social and emotional disorder in his article “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact”, and in 1944 Hans Asperger published his “Autism Psychopathology Article” where he described autism as a disorder of normal intelligence children who have difficulties with social and communication skills.

These articles were an important contribution to the studies that helped to classified Autism as a disorder separate from schizophrenia in 1980.

The World Autism Day theme for this year, 2022 is “Inclusive Quality Education for All” which marks the global inequalities in education and society, faced by people with autism. Autism Speaks — A major organization for autism advocacy in the United States encourages everyone to join the autism awareness campaign “Light It Up Blue.”

One may wear blue costumes/ribbons, light up the bulbs blue, change their social media logo to blue, or organise events to “go blue” and raise awareness of autism.

Signs of Autism

People with ASD have behaviours or interests that can seem unusual. These behaviours or interests set ASD apart from conditions defined by problems with social communication and interaction only. Examples of restricted or repetitive behaviours and interests related to ASD can include: Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when order is changed; repeats words or phrases over and over (called echolalia); delayed language and movement skills; delayed cognitive and learning skills; avoids or does
not keep eye contact; does not respond to name by nine months of age; does not display facial expressions like happy and sad by ninemonths of age; uses no or few gestures by 12 months of age.   

What is the treatment for ASD?

Children with ASD often require behaviour therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and early intervention or special educational services. Additionally, some children may require medication. A significant number of public schools do not cater to autistic students. As a result some parents opt to homeschool their autistic children out of fear that their child/children will be teased for being different.

There is an urgent need for more research as well as more funding to be channeled into this specialised developmental disorder.

In Jamaica, there is a support group to help other parents, which became the Jamaica Autism Support Association (JASA). The JASA can be contact at www.jamaicaautism.org or at 876- 776-6827. There are a number of private special needs educational institutions which cater to the needs of these children. Children who display signs of autism have the right to an education and love just like anyone else.

Should you suspect that your child is autistic speak to your child’s pediatrician and get some advice.

If you have an autistic child or family member spend some time and do the research to better prepare yourself to assist them in realising their full potential. There is no need o be ashamed of autistic children.

In the words of Ban Ki moon, to measure the success of our societies, we should examine how well those with, different abilities, including persons with autism, are integrated as full and valued members.

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © Follow my blog at www.waykam.wordpress.com #LightItUpBlue