DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES The Learning Curve Volume 1, Issue 1 January 2, 2008 A Publication of the Office of “Enhancing the Knowledge of DDDS Professionals” Training and Professional Development A Study of... Did you know that...

• A 2007 CDC report found Not until the middle of the twenti- babbling toddler suddenly becomes kindergarten. that 1 in 150 children in eth century was there a name for a silent, withdrawn, self-abusive, or America have an All children with ASD demonstrate Spectrum Disorder. In disorder that now appears to affect indifferent to social overtures, some- deficits in 1) social interaction, 2) 1995, it was 1 in 2,500. an estimated 3.4 out of every 1,000 thing is wrong. Research has shown children ages 3-10, a disorder that that parents are usually correct verbal and nonverbal communica- • The American Society of causes disruption in families and about noticing developmental prob- tion, and 3) repetitive behaviors or Autism (ASA) estimates unfulfilled lives for many children. lems, although they may not realize interests. In addition, they will of- that 1.5 million Americans In 1943 Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns the specific nature or degree of the ten have unusual responses to sen- and their families are now Hopkins Hospital studied a group problem. sory experiences, such as certain affected. of 11 children and introduced the sounds or the way objects look. label early infantile autism. At the The pervasive developmental disor- Each of these symptoms runs the • Autism a national health gamut from mild to severe. They crisis, costs the US at least same time a German scientist, Dr. ders, or disorders, will present in each individual dif- $35 billion annually. , described a milder range from a severe form, called form of the disorder that became autistic disorder, to a milder form, ferently. For instance, a child may • There are 371 Delawar- known as . Asperger syndrome. If a child has eans with Autism, 207 are Today, these two disorders are symptoms of either of these disor- over the age of 21. described and listed in the Diagnos- ders, but does not meet the specific tic and Statistical Manual of Mental criteria for either, the diagnosis is Disorders DSM-IV as two of the five called pervasive developmental dis- pervasive developmental disorders order not otherwise specified (PDD- (PDD), more often referred to NOS). Other rare, very severe disor- have little trouble learning to read today as autism spectrum disorders ders that are included in the autism but exhibit extremely poor social (ASD). All these disorders are spectrum disorders are Rett syn- interaction. Each child will display characterized by varying degrees of drome and childhood disintegrative communication, social, and behav- impairment in communication disorder. ioral patterns that are individual skills, social interactions, and re- but fit into the overall diagnosis. The autism spectrum disorders are stricted, repetitive and stereotyped more common in the pediatric patterns of behavior. Children with ASD do not follow population than are some better the typical patterns of child devel- Autism Awareness Ribbon Autism spectrum disorders can known disorders such as diabetes, opment. In most cases, the prob-

often be reliably diagnosed by age spinal bifida, or Down syndrome. lems in communication and social The puzzle pattern of this ribbon 3, and in some cases as early as 18 Prevalence studies have been con- skills become more noticeable as reflects the mystery and complex- months. Studies suggest that many ducted in the US and around the the child lags further behind other ity of autism. The different colors world. The wide range of prevalence and shapes represents the diversity children eventually may be accu- children the same age. Some other of people and families living with rately diagnosed by age 1 or even points to a need for earlier and children start off well enough. Of- this disorder. The brightness of younger. The appearance of any of more accurate screening. The earlier tentimes between 12 and 36 the ribbon signals hope—through the warning signs of ASD is reason the disorder is diagnosed, the months old, the differences in the research and increasing awareness. to have a child evaluated by a sooner the child can be helped way they react to people and other medical professional. through treatment interventions. unusual behaviors become appar- W Pediatricians, family physicians, ent. Some parents report the Autism Society of Delaware Parents are usually the first to daycare providers, teachers, and change as being sudden, and that 5572 Kirkwood Highway notice unusual behaviors in their parents may initially dismiss signs of their children start to reject people, Wilmington, DE 19808 ASD, optimistically thinking the (302) 472-2638 child. In some cases, the baby act strangely, and lose language and child is just a little slow and will Fax: (302) 472-2640 seemed "different" from birth, social skills they had previously unresponsive to people or focusing "catch up." Although early interven- acquired. In other cases, there is a Lower DE Autism Foundation intently on one item for long peri- tion has a dramatic impact on re- plateau, or leveling, of progress so 33815 Clay Road, Suite F ods of time. The first signs of an ducing symptoms and increasing a that the difference between the Lewes, DE 19958 ASD can also appear in children child's ability to grow and learn new child with autism and other chil- (302) 644-3410 skills, it is estimated that only 50 who seem to have been developing dren the same age becomes more www.delautism.org normally. When an engaging, percent of children are diagnosed before noticeable.