APRIL IS NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
Submitted by
Marion Cornish,
Exceptional Family Member Program
The
United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate
the public the public about autism and issues within the community. National Autism Awareness Month recognizes
the growing need for concern and awareness for autism.
What is autism? Autism is a brain disorder that often
makes it hard to communicate with and relate to others. With autism, the different areas of the brain
fail to work together. The person with
autism has problems with both communication and relating to others. Early diagnosis and treatment have helped
more and more people reach their full potential, WebMD.com.
Autism statistics. The Centers for Disease Control estimates
that one in every 88 U.S. children and one in 54 boys has autism. At the new 2008 prevalence rate of one in 88
American children, autism costs the U.S. $137 billion a year. It has been estimated that 45% Americans with
autism have an intellectual disability.
The lifetime cost for each person who has an intellectual disability
related to autism is $2.3 million, Knapp and Mandell estimated.
What are some of the symptoms of
autism? Symptoms of autism can be
minimal or severe, and they can vary dramatically from one child to
another. Autistic children may struggle
to maintain or completely avoid eye contact, prefer to play alone, avoid
cuddling or touching, have poor speech or communication abilities or not develop
speech at all. They may rub surfaces repeatedly, have a heightened or lowered
response to pain or display intense tantrums.
Other symptoms of autism may appear to indicate other disorders like
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tourettes, Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder or Oppositional Defiant Disorder, which can make an accurate diagnosis
difficult. Studies show autism affects
boys more often than girls.
Autism and children in military
Families. According to Autism Votes, many military Families
are impacted by autism. Based on current prevalence rates, as many as 12,000
children in the military families (active duty, reserve and guard) may have
autism. These families are substantially affected by the financial and
emotional costs of raising a child with autism.
Military life is particularly difficult
for children with autism and their families. Given the frequent duty station
changes and social turmoil of military service, military children with an
autism spectrum disorder often face additional challenges with which their
civilian counterparts do not have to contend.
A specific
feature of autism is extreme difficulty with life, routine, or environmental
changes of any kind. These children need a set routine, stability, and
continuity of services and relationships. Military life by its nature provides
few of these needs. This situation is likely to weaken the morale of the parent
serving the military as well as the caretaker at home.
What to
do if you think you child has autism or showing signs of developmental
delays? Facing an autism diagnosis can be scary but doctors and
support services are here to help with the process. The primary care manager is the first step. Then the Family should enroll in the
Exceptional Family Member Program. If
you think your child may have autism or is showing signs of developmental
delays talk to your primary health care provider or contact Lyster Army Health
Clinic’s Patient Appointment Service at 334-255-7000 and request an
appointment.
Resources.
Family pediatrician and Early Intervention Services can
assist with diagnosis.
Support
resources include: Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) – 334-255-7431 for
enrollment and 334-255-9277 for support services, www.autismspeaks.org, TRICARE – Extended
Care Health Options – www.humana-military.com
or 1-800-444-5445, Military Home Front - http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p=MHF:DETAIL1:0::::SID,CID:20.40.500.565.0.0.0.0.0,20.40.500.565.500.100.64.0.0, Autism Votes - http://www.autismvotes.org/site/c.frKNI3PCImE/b.5141983/k.A9E4/Military_homepage.htm,
Southeast Alabama Medical Center Families with Autism Support and Encouragement
(FASE) Group – 334-793-8714 or fcheisner@samc.org, Alabama Autism and Asperger Information and
Network Support Network - http://www.alabamaautism.org/,
Autism Society – www.autism-society.org,
and Operation Autism Online – www.operationautismonline.org.
What
can you do to support Autism Awareness Month?
Participate or support the Dothan Walk
for Autism, April
5, 2014 from 8:30am to 11:30am at Kiwanis Park at Westgate – 1-877-4AUTISM
or www.walkforautism.org.
Attend the Special
Education Workshop on April 24, 2014 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at The Commons,
Building 8950, 7th Avenue. The topic is Individualized Educational
Plan. For child care information and to register, call Army Community Service
Exceptional Family Member Program at 334-255-9277.
Attend the EFMP Autism Workshop on April 29, 2014 from 11:00
am to 1:00 pm at The Commons, Building 8950, 7th Avenue. The topic
is Three Behavioral Strategies Every Parent or Child Should Know. For child care information and to register,
call Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program at 334-255-9277.
Visit the Autism Display at the Post Exchange Mall 23-30
April 2014. Information and educational
materials will be available.
Visit the Autism Bibliography Display at the Center
Library, Building 212, Ruf Avenue, 1-30 April 2014.
