What Is Autism?

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning it affects kids in different ways, at different levels of severity, regarding their ability to communicate, process thoughts, and interact socially. Because there's nothing abnormal about the physical appearance of a child with autism, and because kids develop at different rates, the disorder can be difficult to recognize.

Autism is characterized by:

• communication problems, which may include delays in developing speech, repeating words, and speaking in a monotone that lacks pitch, inflection, or rhythm
• poor social interaction
• repetitive behavior and interests
• unusual behaviors, such as spinning or flapping hands

About one-third of children who are diagnosed with autism develop fairly typically in the first year or two of life, and then begin to regress in the way that they speak and socialize. They may:

• prefer to play by themselves
• not acknowledge other kids who play alongside them
• like to line up objects and sort them into colors
• have difficulty making eye contact with other people

If a child shows any one of these behaviors on an isolated basis, it's probably not autism. Usually, it's the collection of these behavior patterns that leads to a diagnosis of autism.

Though kids with autism are affected in different ways, in all cases their capacity to communicate and interact with others is impaired. Other behaviors of kids with autism may include:

• speech that's often limited to a few repeated or "echoed" words or phrases
• stopping speaking altogether
• problems with communicating needs
• withdrawing from physical contact with other people
• want to be alone
• seldom playing fantasy or imagination games
• engaging in repetitive movements like rocking, hand flapping, or spinning objects
• throwing tantrums that are prolonged and begin with little warning
• laughing or crying out of nowhere
• difficulty showing or receiving affection
• resistance to change in daily routines
• no fear of danger
• very physically active or very underactive
• lack of response to verbal cues (i.e., calling the child's name, questions, etc.)
• unusual responses to many sensory experiences, especially to sudden, loud noises or high-pitched sounds
• obsession with predictable rituals and sometimes playing with only one part of a toy

Not every child with autism will have all of these behaviors. Because some children with autism have just a few of these symptoms, they may appear to be developing within typical expectations, although somewhat slowly.

Understanding Autism

Autism is a disorder that can affect the way a child behaves, thinks, communicates, and interacts with others. Kids with autism are affected in different ways. We have found that there is not really a "typical", it seems no one child is effected the same as another. ADD & ADHD are now being placed under the Autism Spectrum. It is now considered a world-wide EPIDEMIC!

Autism affects up to one in every 150 school-age children, which translates to about 560,000 kids, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is almost the entire population of Alaska! It's more common in boys than girls, and is usually diagnosed when a child is between 15 and 36 months old, although signs of the disorder can show up earlier. Our son was diagnosed at the age of two & is one of thousands not included in the survey that found 1 in 150 school-age children!

While there is no cure for autism, and researchers are unsure of its cause, a variety of therapies and resources are available to help kids with autism and their families. Although it is VERY difficult to get these services in areas like Skagway, Alaska or other remote Alaskan towns. Travel to Juneau, or Anchorage are required.