April: The Month Of Taking Action Against Autism

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April celebrates “Autism Action” month formerly known as “Autism Awareness.”
 
With 1 in 68 children being diagnosed each year, it’s important to know how to detect the disability.
Doctors and educators tell us what they are doing to help your kids.
 
Patty Cummings with Fargo Public Schools has expertise in special education, but little did she know that knowledge would come in handy down the road.
 
The Director of Special Education says, “When my daughter was born originally there was no diagnosis. Autism wasn’t as known so she started out with developmental disabilities and as she grew we noticed some of the idiosyncratic behavior that you can see in children with autism. We began to work with our pediatrician and the schools. “
 
Doctors first check for autism as early as 9-months and then again at18-months and 2-years-old.
 
Sanford Pediatrics Dr. Brennan Forward says, “We’ll ask parents a few more specific questions about their development as far as social development, physical development and how they’re doing as far as learning new motor skills.”
 
If there are speech, social skills or behavior concerns, doctors will recommend various types of therapy.
Schools use checklists.
 
Cummings says, “You would look at three areas: Communication, social interactions and that stereotypical sensory patterns behaviors in a sensory seeking way.”
 
While the cause of autism is still unclear, studies show genetics and environment can play a role.
 
Forward says, “What we do know is that it in families who have children with autism spectrum it’s much more likely that they will have another child with that or if there’s other family members with it that increases the risk.”
 
Cummings has words of advice for parents suspecting their child might not be developing in the typical way.
 
Cummings adds, “Number one, bring it up with your pediatrician. Mention the concerns that you may have and don’t be afraid if they’re a school aged child to bring it up to a teacher or the principal in order to start a process if we’re looking at discovering and having those gaps filled.”
 
North Dakota Autism Center in West Fargo invites those impacted by the disability to come out for World Autism Awareness Day tomorrow night at 8.