As a speech therapist for over 25 years, I have seen a noteworthy change in my caseload with children diagnosed with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). This is a difficult topic, but there is strong agreement regarding the importance of intervention as early as possible.
We all know that the diagnosis of autism has significantly and alarmingly increased in the last 10 years. Currently, The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development are strongly recommending immediate evaluation of a child for Autism and PDD if the following five symptoms are present:
1. By 12 months old, your child is not babbling or cooing.
2. By12 months, old your child does not point, wave, grasp, or use gestures to communicate.
3. By 16 months, old your child does not say single words.
4. By 24 months old, your child does not say two word phrases independently, but rather repeats what is said.
5. Any loss of speech, language, or social skills that were previously developing.
Apart from these symptoms, there are other possible symptoms that parents, teachers, child caretakers, and family should be aware of, that could be signs of language development delay. These signs should be taken seriously, and an evaluation for Autism/PDD should be arranged.
They include:
• Not responding to his name.
• Not explaining his wants.
• Delayed speech and language development.
• Not following directions, as if he does not hear, or he’s tuned out the rest of the world.
• Throwing severe tantrums, and can’t be easily consoled.
• Not smiling and poor eye contact.
• Repetitively playing with one thing and having an unusual attachment to a single toy.
• Playing alone and not seeming interested in other children.
Diagnosis
Children are usually diagnosed with Autism/PDD between two and three years old, when their delay in speech and language development is obviously noticeable. By the time therapy begins more time has gone by. Early intervention is critical. Many parents report that by the time their child had aged 18 months they were already detecting symptoms. You are strongly encouraged to act upon your sense of concern and have your child evaluated.
A percentage of parents report that their child was developing typically, and for no apparent reason stopped, and began to significantly regress. This regression, and the causes that trigger a regression in communication, is currently being researched. However, there remains little information about the onset of this developmental regression.
The law provides children with free evaluations and therapy through the Early Intervention program which specializes in the needs of children from birth to three years old. After three, the law will provide for free public education, which may include special education services, and/or integrated programs which allow some children with special needs to attend a mainstream program. These early services are usually provided by state funds, but funding may be different from state to state. In addition, your local school district can provide services as well.
Taking a wait-and-see attitude has typically been the advice of well meaning pediatricians, and family members. The truth is, children do develop at different rates, and most of the time they catch up to their peers however, this is a new world. Based upon current statistics, there is more reason now to act than wait. If you believe there is a problem move forward with an evaluation. You do not need a doctor or teacher to refer your child for testing. You can initiate a referral yourself. To find out where to go you can contact your local Department of Health, local school district, or your state community representative.
For more information, or if you need help finding an early intervention program call (718) 646-4482 or send an email to: Barbarao24@aol.com.
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Barbara Levine Offenbacher is a NYS licensed speech language pathologist, and the owner of the Manhattan Beach Speech Language Reading Center. She has published and presented at national conferences, and is the founder of the Kol Moshe Foundation.
