International School Bulletin

April is National Awareness Month  

 Autism now considered by many medical and educational professionals as a prevalent neurological dysfunction, which causes learning disabilities. According to Wikipedia, "Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. The two other autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are Asperger syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and PDD-NOS, diagnosed when full criteria for the other two disorders are not met." Symptoms of Autism may appear as early as infancy, however are often assumed to be symptoms of a 'fussy baby' or a baby with colic. Language delays are another early sign, as well as the inability for the child to self-calm. Many of these children are extra sensitive to touch and thusly often resist hugging. Autistic children tend to also be extra-sensitive to the feel and texture of food, which can cause eating problems.

Diagnosing Autism early is key to getting a head start on possible scenarios that may elevate many of the problematic symptoms of this dysfunction. Also, parents need to be aware of their child's situation. Often when Autistic children react to over-stimulation, it is misunderstood by adults for disobedience. Understanding that an Autistic child is screaming because they are overwhelmed, and not because they are throwing a temper-tantrum, is essential to the happiness and emotional health of the Autistic child, and the sanity of the parent.

These children rarely thrive in a public or private school environment. Often the Autistic child requires more specific individualized attention for learning. In addition to having special learning needs, children on the Autism Spectrum also have poor social skills, stemming from an inability to read or understand unspoken language. When any child can not make friends with their peers, and quickly become the brunt of cruel childish teasing, can cause disastrous affects for the child emotionally and mentally. This is common however, for an Autistic child, because they are prone offending people with their frank comments, and inability to read the body language and facial expressions of others. These added stresses make learning a monumental task for the Autistic child.

Tutoring Autistic children is very rewarding. One must first understand the dynamics of Autism, to understand how these children cope with, and interact with, the world around them. Many times these children are so distracted by the neurological symptoms of Autism, that one must seek to listen and learn from these children, in order to teach them. For example, to further explain how 'distractive' and 'disconnected' Autistic children can be, imagine if you were itching on the inside of your skin, and didn't understand why, or how to scratch. Would you then be interested in other people's needs, or even want to communicate with others? In many ways, this is how an Autistic child views their situation. The Autistic child must overcome the urge to 'scratch' and forget the 'itch', in order to connect with 'our' world. Getting specialized training and gaining experience with Autism should be a requirement of Special Needs Instructors and Tutors. UniversalClass.com offers very affordable CEU classes and certifications in Special Education, and Autism specifically.

Changing an Autistic child's diet can affect a considerable change. Many believe that diagnosing food allergies, and eliminating dairy and wheat for these children, has proven to be beneficial. AutismWeb.com is an excellent resource for parents and educators alike. This website provides information regarding research and suggestions for diet considerations of the Autistic child.

Is there hope for Autistic children? Yes, having seen miraculous results, hope is a tangible treasure. First as parents, educators, and medical providers, we must LISTEN to these beautiful children, and reach down into their world. Providing these children with special care such as occupational therapy, special diet considerations, and additional tutoring, enables Autistic children to overcome many of their limitations, and pursue a happy fulfilled life, full of potential.