Effects of Autism

Introduction

Autism is also called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and includes a broad range of disabilities such as Asperger Syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome (almost exclusively affects females) and Pervasive Development Disorder.

There are varying degrees of the disorder from low-functioning (no communication) to high-functioning (some communication and inappropriate but existent social skills). The characteristics also vary and present themselves socially (resistance to being held or touched), linguistically (makes verbal sounds while listening-echolalia), behaviorally (obsessions with objects, ideas or desires. ), emotionally (resists change in the environment (people, places, objects). and physically (unusual gait. ) in the child’s life. With an individual dealing with so much, how does it affect the family structure?

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Diagnosed being Autistic

I will be exploring the implications of the effects of Autism for the individual, parents and siblings. The life of an Autistic child is overwhelming. Carly a fourteen year old, when she was finally able to communicate in a way the world could understand expressed what it feels like being Autistic. After eleven years of silence she ran up to a computer and entered her first word “hurt”, her second word was “help”. She expressed how much she would love to be like other children but she can’t help but be herself. She explained the reason for her constant rocking, not wanting to be touched and banging her head.

She said it felt like a thousand ants were crawling over her body, her feet felt like they were on fire and if she didn’t bang her head she felt like she would explode. For years she understood what was being said around/about her but had no way of expressing herself. Autistic children, who are not able to communicate like Carly, go through this overload of sensory input that drives them nuts. Not being able to communicate to their parents that the sound is too loud, or the light is too bright becomes frustrating. They are treated as if they are dumb and do not understand what is being said when that is far from the truth.

Many children who have been diagnosed as being Autistic have been found to be dual exceptional, which means having a disability but are also being a gifted child. One of the most difficult things a parent can experience is not being able to understand what their child needs. Raising a child who does not speak or express themselves in a way you can understand is heart wrenching, especially when they are experiencing pain and you do not know where it hurts or what the symptoms are-helplessness is painful. Not knowing why they hurt themselves, scream, pull away when you touch them or say the things they say.

Parents reactions

However, parents must remember that, despite the diagnosis their child is the same person that they have always been. The only difference is that they know now what condition they have and can begin to help them to maximize their potential and to live life to the fullest. Parents often feel like failures and blame themselves for the diagnosis. It is reported that 80% of marriages end in divorce when a child is diagnosed with Autism, leaving the mothers to deal with the day to day stresses of raising a child with a disability. They constantly ask “Was it that one drink? or “Was it that fall I didn’t tell anyone about? ” Another implication for parents of Autistic children is the cost of care which does not come cheap. In a country like Jamaica where health care for disability cases is not predominant - it costs an arm and a leg, approximately US$40,000-$70,000 per year (as per the Autism Center of Montego Bay). Parents have to ensure that their Autistic child gets physical, occupational and speech therapies as early intervention and lifelong therapies to improve the skills they already possess and to not lose what they have gained.

Parents may feel that their child with autism takes a lot of their time and attention - siblings feel this way too. Parents often think that because their other child/children are not suffering from this diagnosis or any other major ailment and are for want of a better word “normal”- they do not need time with them. Siblings will go out of their way to be noticed by their parents by getting in trouble at school, rebelling and some are left to raise themselves. Siblings like for parents to make time for them when possible to listen to the things that are important to them.

It may help to do some activities separately in the family, if you can. Parents need to find out what the child would like them to do together, make a date and keep it. While they are out let it be about the child, do not bring up the Autistic sibling. However, siblings may benefit from having time to themselves, for example occasional breaks like sleepovers at friends’ homes. They also need to be able to bring their own friends home and enjoy themselves without interruption, where possible. Try to listen to siblings' worries and concerns - but also their ideas.

Conclusion

Older children may have good ideas about how best to manage certain situations. If they have a good relationship with their brother or sister, they may be able to ask them to do things that the parent can’t. The future is a concern for siblings. At some point, it may help to talk with them about who is expected to care for their brother or sister when they are older. There has been an increase in Autism cases, according to the Director of the Montego Bay Autism Center on April 2, 2013. To combat the rise each supporting entity (parents and siblings) must have an air of patience.

The Autistic child cannot help but be who they are, so parents and siblings have to rise to the occasion and be advocates. Understanding, supporting and educating are a few of the ways to show that Autistic life - is still a life. Autism has a wide effect and often has negative implications, however, the positive implications outweigh them.

Reference

1. Stanley, G. I and Tippy G. November
2. 2011. Respecting Autism: The Rebecca School DIR Casebook for Parents and Professionals. Vantage Press.
3. http://readingroom. mindspec. org/? page_id=6203;gclid=CPjI2ub0wrYCFRMKnAodylsABQ. Autism Profile. March 15, 2013. Autism Reading Room.

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