Yesterday the news headlines were all about the latest study into the cause of Autism.  The findings of this particular study was very large and looked at 93,000 children!  The study found that mothers that reported having the “Flu” during their pregnancy were at least  twice as likely to have a child with autism as those who didn’t report having the flu.

So, what do you think???

I know in the case of my own child, this study really hit a nerve as I did have the flu when I was pregnant with him and he is my only child out of 4 that is on the Autism Spectrum.  My other 3 are not at all, and I did not have the flu with any of their pregnancies.  Coincidence or an Autism Factor???   For many other moms that I have spoken to, this is not the case at all, and they never got the flu during pregnancy.  So then, what caused their child’s autism?

We then are back to the mystery…“What causes Autism?”

***Could it be just one thing or a number of factors?

***Is it Environmental or Genetic?

***Do Vaccines cause Autism?

The questions are vast, and there are many answers, however, for our particular child, which answers fit our questions?  This is up to you, and your child depends on you to find that answer. 

Here is the news report that inspired me to write this article, and at the same time inform as many as possible of any and all possibilities of an answer to Autism Spectrum.  Spread the word!  Please watch!  Inform and arm yourselves  with knowledge in order to fight as the ultimate advocate for your child!

ABC World And Local News – Headlines – Yesterday…

  Autism – New Study Links “Flu” to Autism!

ABC Action News, Linda Hurtado interviews Dr. Nelson Mane’

Link to News Story:

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/health/tampa-experts-on-new-study-linking-flu-druing-pregnancy-with-autism

Have you ever thought to yourself as you struggled to understand your child on the Autism spectrum, If only I could get inside his or her head for 5 minutes…I would know so much!”  Well here is a video clip of a simulation of what it is like to walk down the sidewalk with Autism Spectrum.  It is not exact, but it gives a very good idea as it compares a “typical” walk down the sidewalk with this same walk down the sidewalk when dealing with ASD.  The key objective here is to understand and empathize, in other words, “Autism Awareness”.  I believe that everyone would benefit greatly from this video experience as a parent, sibling, friend, etc, as it broadens the scope of understanding the World that is Autism.

Here is the Video Clip:

http://www.theautismsite.com/clickToGive/aut/article/A-Walk-Down-the-Street-with-Autism267/AUT_BLOG_MOMBLOG_CTG

Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) is a neurological disorder pioneered 40 years ago by A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., OTR. Dr. Ayres developed the sensory integration theory to explain the relationship between behavior and brain functioning. 

Most children and adults on the Autism Spectrum have some degree of Sensory Integration Dysfunction.  Life can be very difficult for these children and their families because of these sensitivities.  Many times parents have to be very proactive in determining the sensory atmosphere of a certain restaurant, theme park, etc.

I found this list that describes many situations and behaviors that Sensory Integration Dysfunction would manifest problems therein.  Since it can be hard to understand sometimes, I thought this list may be helpful as a guide to help parents and caregivers to assist their children that may have some of these sensitivities, as this awareness can help lead to understanding and much needed patience.

• Fascination with lights, fans, water
• Hand flapping/repetitive movements
• Spinning items, taking things apart
• Walking on tip-toe
• Little awareness of pain or temperature
• Coordination problems
• Unusually high or low activity level
• Difficulty with transitions (doesn’t “go with the flow”)
• Self-Injury or aggression
• Extremes of activity level (either hyperactive or under active).
• Fearful in space (on the swings, seesaw or heights).
• Striking out at someone who accidentally brushes by them.
• Avoidance of physical contact with people and with certain “textures,” such as sand, paste and finger paints.
• The child may react strongly to stimuli on face, hands and feet.
• A child may have a very short attention span and become easily distracted.
• A strong dislike of certain grooming activities, such as brushing the teeth, washing the face, having the hair brushed or cut.
• An unusual sensitivity to sounds and smells.
• A child may refuse to wear certain clothes or insist on wearing long sleeves/pants so that the skin is not exposed.
• Frequently adjusts clothing, pushing up sleeves and/or pant legs.
• An acute awareness of background noises.

We’ve all experienced it…and quite a few times actually…every time we are with or around “typical children”.  It may be at the mall, or at a playground…and all of a sudden our child does something, whether it be hollering, flapping or spinning…we don’t notice right away, because we are accustomed to being around these little stims at home.  It takes a couple of seconds, and by the time, we notice…we’ve also noticed something else…Yes…from other parents and other children…it’s the “sideways glance”.  It’s penetrating, and brutal, and it is virtually overwhelming when the “sideways glance” is coupled with a few hushed whispers from one typical mom to the next.  We can’t blame them…but we do!  They think they are being discreet…but they are not!  Some, may even give us a patronizing look of sympathy, and feel that it may make us feel better…But…it doesn’t!

So, what do we do?  How do we feel?  We all know how we SHOULD feel…the noble attitude of, “This is my child, and yes, he is autistic…this is just fine, and I love him and I accept him as he is in all environments…and I am not embarrassed or ashamed…so there…” and we hold our head high with dignity.  This is our façade…this is our mask.  Although there are a few of us that have been able to achieve the inner strength to muster up this same resolve and confidence in their hearts as well…most of us….well, deep inside us…our hearts are breaking!

Those sideways glances, whispers, and patronizing looks…they hurt, and yes…badly…like the stabs of a knife into our hearts.  We think to ourselves, “I shouldn’t let this bother me.”  And “I don’t even care what other people think.”  But…it does bother us, and it does embarrass us.  We may ask ourselves, “Why does this bother me…Why don’t I just “get over” myself…

The answer is just as simple, and as natural as a heartbeat…We are HUMAN!  And, as human beings, we care about what others think of us, and we long to be accepted…it is in our job description as people.  People conform to social graces, and standards, and this makes us all feel comfortable, and secure.  As a society of people, we have come a long way too…Just look at us…we have disabilities all around us and we don’t even flinch anymore, at someone in a wheelchair, or a blind or deaf person.  But…when it comes to a “social disability” as in the autism spectrum….well that is a real jagged pill.  Because of our set standards of behavior, these social disabilities make people uncomfortable, and they are at a loss as to how to react.

So, what is the answer…education, exposure…Yes, and yes, these are big parts of the puzzle that is “Acceptance” and “Awareness”. 

This April, lets all promote Autism Awareness as never before, since April is the dedicated month of International Autism Awareness and therein afterwards, month after month, year after year, day after day.  As there is more and more Autism Awareness…less and less become the occasions when we have to endure “The Sideways Glance”. 

Kimberly Larochelle

Jules Burt is making city tours to Tampa , Sarasota , Plant City , Orlando and many more to raise awareness and to benefit the children and families with Autism. Throughout the country, Hikers in High Heels will unite to raise awareness for Autism.  Her motto is “Talk about Autism…It’s closer than you think!”

Jules is one great lady who, single-handedly, saw a great need in the Autism Community and not only did this need touch her heart deeply, but she put her words to action…in other words…she got busy!  Many will see a desperate need, and a few will work hard to fulfill a desperate need.  Jules continuously keeps a pulse on the Autism Community and keeps on working to fulfill the needs of the families and children of Autism.  

She leads with a glowing smile and a gleam of purpose in her eyes.  Her enthusiasm is contagious as she speaks, and she walks with a stride that makes everyone want to follow in her steps closely so as not to be left behind.

The High Heel Hike is a wonderful means to bring about a more positive direction in the world of Autism.  The purpose and funds received will go to the families, the children, and to assist in the everyday lives that are such a struggle for these ones, day to day, moment by moment.  Not only is the Hike beneficial, but Jules Burt makes it a glorious and fun-filled event where all you hear is a roar of laughter and all you see is a bright horizon of smiling faces. 

Here is the link to the site for more information on Jules Burt and the High-Heel Hike.

http://www.highheelhike.com/

 I had the honor of being selected by Parenting Special needs Magazine as their “Everyday Hero” for the month of April 2010. As all of you know by now, April is Autism Awareness Month,  so this has extra special meaning to me. It is nice to be win the award but more important is that more and more media is helping us get the word out regarding how Autism Spectrum Disorders  affects the lives of so many families. In my particular case, I am also happy that they are helping us get the word out regarding Hemispheric Integration Therapy as a treatment option for families with loved ones on the Autism Spectrum. Here is the link to the article http://parentingspecialneeds.org/heroes&article_id=9

 The information below was provided to me by Rachela on the Autism Speaks Forum  

Senators:

Lincoln, Blanche L. – (D – AR) Class III

355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510

(202) 224-4843

Web Form: lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Pryor, Mark L. – (D – AR) Class II

255 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510

(202) 224-2353

Web Form: pryor.senate.gov/contact/

Governor:

<a href=”http://governor.arkansas.gov/contacts.html”>http://governor.arkansas.gov/contacts.html</a>

Also your state’s reps…

Congress:

Representative Marion Berry (D – 01) 202-225-4076 202-225-5602 <a href=”http://www.house.gov/berry/zipauth.shtml”>http://www.house.gov/berry/zipauth.shtml</a>

Representative Vic Snyder (D – 02) 202-225-2506 202-225-5903 <a href=”http://www.house.gov/snyder/contact-form.shtml”>http://www.house.gov/snyder/contact-form.shtml</a>

Representative John Boozman (R – 03) 202-225-4301 202-225-5713 <a href=”https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml”>https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml</a>

Representative Mike Ross (D – 04) 202-225-3772 202-225-1314 <a href=”http://ross.house.gov/?sectionid=77″>http://ross.house.gov/?sectionid=77</a>§iontree=7677

I came across this article entitled 10 myths about autism which I thought was interesting and informative and so I pass it along to you. Anytime an article like this is written it helps increase awareness and  educate the general public regarding much misinformation and ignorance that  commonly passes as autism information. Anytime we can shift the misconceptions toward more factual information it helps all of us whether parent, patient or practitioner. These small steps toward providing more accurate information will eventually change public perception and perhaps influence some legislation and funding for autism spectrum disorders.

http://nursepractitionerschools.org/10-myths-about-autism/

This is an old story from 2004, however it is still as shocking today as it was five years ago. Ignorance is amazing. Lately, I am seeing more and more autism awareness ads. There is a local jewelry store here in Tampa that is donating a portion of the proceeds of  one of their holiday sales to Autism Speaks. I think the word is getting out to the world but certainly not fast enough. Interestingly enough, one of my children who was a buddy to a child with autism on our buddy baseball team commented to me that he sees things and people differently now after that experience . We need more of that , we need more autism awareness.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3877421.stm