Autism wasn’t classified as a disorder until the 1940s. It’s a neurological disorder that affects information processing in the brain, which causes communication, social and behavioral challenges. Medical research has proven that genetics and environment play a significant role in the diagnosis. Some experts have also cited factors like parental age, multiple pregnancies, low birth weight and exposure to medications or maternal infection during pregnancy.
Per the Autism Speaks website, autism tends to run in families. Changes in certain genes increase the risk that a child will develop autism. If a parent carries one or more of these gene changes, they may get passed to a child (even if the parent does not have autism). Other times, these genetic changes arise spontaneously in an early embryo or the sperm and/or egg that combine to create the embryo. Again, the majority of these gene changes do not cause autism by themselves. They simply increase risk for the disorder. To help decrease your child’s risk, it is recommended that the mother take prenatal vitamins containing folic acid, before and at conception and through pregnancy.
Scientists have conducted extensive research over the last two decades to determine whether there is any link between childhood vaccinations and autism. The results of this research is clear: Vaccines do not cause autism.
Boys are five times more likely to become autistic than girls. It may be that girls’ ability to mask their autism features depends on their intelligence. Some people think it could have to do with differences in the early brain growth and development between boys and girls.
Years ago, when you heard of someone being “autistic”, that person usually sat on the sidelines of life. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. Today, services are available to assist families who deal with various forms of the disorder to help their children thrive and survive. The parents of Christopher March, Rickey Flowers, and Jordan Haley have their own success stories to tell.
Christopher March (age 14) – Chris was diagnosed at the age of seven. When he was two and a half to three years of age, his parents (Clifford and DeShannon March) noticed he wasn’t communicating well. The most that young Chris would verbally express is “momma and daddy”. His primary doctor thought he may have been a late developer, but suggested that if his communication didn’t improve he should be seen by a doctor at the Sparks Medical Clinic at UAB.
Well, as fate would have it, Chris’ communication did not improve. He was tested at age 3 for different things, but the doctors did not want to give him the autistic diagnosis. As time went on, a teacher suggested that he needed to be retested. Chris’ parents had him put on a waiting list to be seen by the Autistic Clinic prior to his official diagnosis.
Through it all, Chris is functioning decently well. He prefers to be by himself, but has the ability to socialize. He is still not a conversationalist, but is able to express whatever it is that he needs. Because Chris is on the high end of the disorder, he will be able to live independently. He is currently learning how to drive and likes to cook. His mother expressed that they have received great services from Madison County School system. They also had private services in the home that has helped tremendously. Chris is the Monrovia Middle School mascot and helps the school’s secretary with inventory.
Autism advice: Be patient. Even though autistic children does things repetitively, you can teach them different ways on how to do things. To them, we are not normal. Inquire about services that can help ensure a good quality of life for your child.
Ricky Flowers (age 31) – Ricky received his autistic diagnosis before he was two years old. His pediatrician was concerned about his intellectual development, the size of his brain and the fact he wasn’t walking at 18 months. Based upon the doctor’s recommendation, Ricky was taken to see a neurologist at the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. His mother (Gloria Flowers) mentioned that by the time he was three, there were behavior problems and his skills were not fully developing. He was entered into an early intervention program and that this was one of the best decisions she made. At the time, she had to absorb the cost for the program.
A few year ago, Flowers moved from Madison County to Morgan County because more programs were available for him there. He now resides at a group home that has helped him excel. She had to let go of what others thought and do what was best for her son. Her main concern was who would care for him if anything happened to her.
Flowers shared that she did not have any concerns about having a second child because she had also contributed Ricky’s condition to the medical issues that she encountered during her pregnancy and delivery. Her second son (Stedman) was born healthy and took over the role as the big brother.
Autism advice: Identify and accept that your child has a problem. If you don’t accept that your child has a problem, then you won’t get the help for them as early as they need. You have to be your child’s advocate.
Jordan Haley (age 17) – Jordan was in the third grade when he was first diagnosed. Veronica Haley and her husband (the late Jemere Haley) noticed behavior issues when Jordan was in kindergarten. The principal at Harvest Elementary School informed them that their son wasn’t ready for kindergarten. While in first grade at First Baptist CDC, his teachers also had concerns pertaining to his behavior. His pediatrician tested him for ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. There were similar behavior issues in second grade at Harvest Elementary School.
Jordan was eventually sent to Endeavor where there was a behavior program. His parents did not feel as though he was academically ready for third grade so they kept him back. When he was tested by the school, he was on the autism spectrum. When Vanderbilt tested him, the results were aligned with the school’s results. The Haleys were relieved to finally know what they were dealing with and was trying to learn how to work with him.
Jordan is now a junior at Sparkman High School and has an older brother (Ricci) and younger sister (Janae). His mother articulated that she and her family are very transparent with everyone about his condition. Jordan has a high self-esteem and believes that he can do anything that he wants to do. There is an occasional social awkwardness and functions low academically. He hopes to live independently, but driving will not be an option because of his comprehension skills.
Autism advice: Be patient. Let your child know he/she is loved because the world will not love them back. Be real with who your child is so they can be real with who they are.
Venus McKenzie is the owner of Rhema Word Ministry, a local private school that caters to normal and autistic students. Of her 20 students, eight are autistic. She is normally the first to notice students not functioning like they should. When most parents come to her, they already sense that there is a problem with their child.
McKenzie is not licensed to give a diagnosis, but she does suggest testing to rule out or to either confirm if a student is autistic. “Some of the children know that they are different and that they don’t normally fit in a general population. They are ‘literal’ people…take everything literally,” McKenzie shared.
McKenzie’s school teaches life skills to all of her students. Most of the autistic students desire to function independently and desire to work to support themselves. However, it is sometimes difficult to find employers who will hire those who are autistic.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for autism, but it is a disorder that most can learn how to live with and do well.