10 Myths About Autism

10 Myths About Autism
Experts Examine Misconceptions About Autism
By LARA SALAHI
ABC News Medical Unit
Oct. 23, 2008



As the number of Americans diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders climbs, so, too, does the number of questions surrounding this disorder. Namely, what is autism, and what is causing a rise in autism diagnoses among adults and children nationwide?

Amid these questions, television shows and magazines feature a barrage of stories and imagery -- families rallying for and against vaccines, debates between medical experts pointing to both genetic and environmental causes, and images of individuals diagnosed with autism who struggle to speak and function independently, while others can interact with others and are able to hold jobs. For many, these competing messages may make this already complex condition even more confusing.

Fortunately, doctors and researchers are learning more about the causes and characteristics of autism.

The following are answers to 10 common myths, that may help us better recognize the range of symptoms we call autism spectrum disorders.

Myth: Autism is an emotional or mental health disorder.

While physical or social behaviors of individuals with autism may suggest that they have a psychological disorder, autism is actually a biological illness that affects the brain's growth and development.

"In the case of autism, the parts of the brain that are most affected seem to impact three areas of functioning," said Michael Alessandri, executive director of the University of Miami's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. "Social behavior, communication and restricted and repetitive rituals and routines are ways that the child or the adult with autism interact with the environment."

Although autism is now understood to be a neurodevelopmental disorder, Alessandri, an expert for ABCNews.com's OnCall+ Autism section, said autism can still be considered a complex disorder because its range of symptoms is so diverse.

"Scientists and clinicians now understand that autism is not a singular entity, but rather, a variety of syndromes that ... create the autism spectrum disorders," said Alessandri.

Myth: There is an autism epidemic.

The word "epidemic" often implies a sudden burst in the number of individuals within a fixed time who have, in this case, autism.

Although the CDC reports that one out of 150 children born have an autism spectrum disorder, some experts are quick to question whether a surge in autism cases is actually occurring. Some are more likely to link the upshot of numbers to the combination of a broader definition of autism, a wider spectrum, and an earlier diagnosis.

"The condition has not become more widespread, but there is more diagnosis of autism," said Dr. Bob Marion, director of Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

Sheila Wagner, assistant director of the Autism Center at Emory University in Atlanta, added that more awareness of symptoms has allowed more people to identify individuals who have autism.

"There's a lot of media exposure to autism, in television and movies," said Wagner. "This has made [autism] more recognizable in the lay population."

Myth: Autism can be cured.

Some parents may allude to a certain diet, medicine, or set of behavioral treatments that have cured their autistic children, where other parents may try the same mode of treatment and see no results. While there are treatments created to improve an autistic child's ability, there is no known cure for autism.

"We do know that with early intervention with younger children and Applied Behavioral Analysis, we can improve a child's functioning," said Marion.

Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, is one form of therapy for newly diagnosed children. It includes repeating behavioral activities to improve a child's social and physical functions.

According to Marion, there is no blanket treatment for autism, and it is up to the individual's doctor to assess what treatment will offer the best benefit for each autistic child.

In some cases, Marion said, behaviors, including eye contact, interaction with others and development of language skills, will significantly improve -- but the underlying biological disorder will not change.

"And that is definitely not a cure," he said.

Myth: Autism is the result of cold and unemotional parents.

In the 1940s, Austrian doctor Bruno Bettelheim theorized that autism was a result of parents, especially mothers, who did not love their children. Children in such situations would withdraw and become autistic, Bettelheim believed.

However, researchers have thawed the "refrigerator mother" theory. According to medical experts, a child's autism diagnosis has nothing to do with how the child is raised.

"We don't know if there are any things that a parent can do or not do, conclusively, will determine whether their child gets autism or not," said Dr. Daniel Geshwind, director of UCLA's neurogenetics program and center for autism research. "Most of the evidence right now points to there being a very strong genetic predisposition in most cases of autism, but not all."

Myth: Individuals with autism always have hidden or exceptional talents.

Stephen Wiltshire, 34, is best known as the human camera. He can replicate architectural designs and landscapes down to each blade of grass -- even if he is only given one opportunity to observe the area he is drawing. Wiltshire has reproduced panoramic scenes of Tokyo, Rome and London by memory after one short helicopter ride over each of the cities.

Wiltshire is an autistic savant. That is, he has extraordinary cognitive skills that allow him to recall details of designs, numbers and measurements that are normally considered too difficult to remember.

The concept of an autistic individual as a savant may have been popularized by Dustin Hoffman's character in the movie "Rain Man."

But while Marion acknowledges that there is a minority group of individuals with autism who have unusual islets of skills, savants are an unrealistic portrayal of the majority of individuals on the spectrum. He said most do not have talents or skills that distinguish themselves by extraordinary talents.

"There are strengths and weaknesses in every child," said Marion. "It's important for every child with autism to have a multidisciplinary evaluation by health professionals who have experience in assessing a child's skills and deficits, to come up with an educational plan that will benefit the child the most."

Myth: Repetitive or ritualistic behaviors should be stopped.

One of the classic indicators of autism is repetitive and ritualistic behaviors, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV), a physician's tool to diagnose autism.

While these behaviors -- which can include hand flapping, banging on walls or rocking back and forth -- may seem odd, they do have a purpose: they can be calming; they can feel good; and they may help the individual communicate with others, said Wagner.

Repetitive behaviors may only pose a problem if they begin interfering in family life or if they prevent those with autism from functioning independently, Wagner added.

However, according to Dr. Pauline Filipek, associate professor of pediatrics and neurology at the University of California, Irvine, a child may learn to outgrow repetitive behaviors.

"Often, as an individual gets older, they learn that such behaviors make them stand out in society, and they learn to miniaturize those behaviors," said Filipek.

Myth: Individuals with autism are unable to build social relationships.

"This is a generalization and needs to be individualized because the spectrum is so wide," said Marion.

In short, social relationships are possible for some individuals on the autism spectrum, but not for others on the most severe end of the spectrum, Marion said.

The DSM IV, which includes diagnosing guidelines for autism, lists "impairment in social interaction" as one indication that an individual can have an autism spectrum disorder. But not every child on the autism spectrum will have the same degree of difficulty connecting with others.

"At the most severe end of the spectrum, yes, that's true," said Marion. "But there is a multitude of children who have friends, and even some who do have close relationships."

Myth: Autistic individuals are a danger to society.

"It is a disservice to think that all people with autism are dangerous," said Wagner.

The idea rises from numerous news stories of individuals diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a high form of autism, who have been accused of burglary and, at times, murder.

However, if you look at the entire population of people on the autism spectrum, the number of people involved in crime is small, said Wagner. If someone with autism were to act out, it may be due to frustration or perhaps physical or emotional overstimulation, not necessarily malice, she said.

Child with autism wanders away from school

LANTANA, FL -- A ten-year-old with autism wandered away from his elementary school on the first day of class without anyone noticing.

Tatrisha Williams says she notified her son's school, Starlight Cove Elementary in Lantana, that she would pick him after class last Monday.

She claims the school even called her during the day to reconfirm. But, when Williams arrived at parent pick-up looking for her son, Joseph, he was nowhere to be found.

She claims she cried and panicked, and rushed back to her home.

There, on the doorstep, she found Joseph, soaking wet. Williams says he walked home, alone, in the rain.

Although their house is only about a block from school, Williams worries something terrible could have happened.

She tells WPTV NewsChannel 5, "He could walk a block; someone still could snatch him or he could get hit by a car. Anything, anything can happen to him."

She also worried Joseph could have had a seizure on the way home.

Williams explains, Joseph has a seizure disorder, and was brought to the school clinic after showing symptoms earlier in the day.

Joseph speaks very little, but told his mom, "I walked by myself...I wanted to see if you were at home."

Knowing his story, Williams now wants the school's explanation.

She wants to know, "How can a special needs child get away from so many adults that are supposed to be looking out for the kids safety."

Willimas goes on to say, "I would just like them to be alert, especially for the special needs kids because they can't look out for themseleves and anything can happen to them."

A Palm Beach County school District spokesperson didn't give an explanation, but tells WPTV NewsChannel 5, "We made a mistake and we have corrected it."

She goes on to say, "It won't happen again."

The impact of autism and a mom's hope

New Island school adds to services for growing population
Sunday, July 27, 2008
By AMISHA PADNANI
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Like most parents, Marilyn Sarin didn't take it lightly when she found out her daughter had autism.

"I cried," she said. "I cried and cried. When she was first diagnosed, I think it was one of the scariest things I've ever been through."

The Pleasant Planes resident wondered if 2-year-old Gia Nicole would ever lead a normal life, whether she would ever learn to speak and socialize with others her age. She also wondered if she was the only one with those fears.

"It's really hard because other people don't understand what you're going through," Mrs. Sarin said.

Her outlook changed once Thursday's Child moved to Staten Island. An early-intervention school for kids with autism, Thursday's Child opened in Dongan Hills in March, bringing with it a support system for parents like Mrs. Sarin and innovative learning techniques for children like Gia.

Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disabilities that can be diagnosed to children who are about two years old and have shown impairment in social interaction and problems with communication. It is also marked by restricted or repetitive behaviors.

Dr. Helen Murphy, one of the school's founders, said Thursday's Child is new to the Island, but not new. She has been running a branch in Brooklyn for about 10 years and recognized a need for a school here when she noticed a lot of Island families traveling to the branch in Brooklyn.

Thursday's Child is a public school and tuition is funded by the city and state. It is among a handful of schools on the Island for children with autism though its focus on early intervention is rare. Dr. Murphy has welcomed about 20 Island families to the new school since it opened in March.

In the classroom, students receive one-on-one attention from a teaching assistant and practice the three R's: Repetition, reinforcement, and reward. Jeanne Ward, the school's educational director, said children with autism are so easily distracted that they need to practice even the simplest of behavioral actions over and over again to learn them.

She said parents typically come to the school with goals that are broken down into "small, achievable tasks." For example, if parents want their children to learn to talk, the school would teach children to sit and be attentive and make eye contact -- basic skills that can be challenging for kids with autism.


Children typically spend about 10 hours a week at the school and another 10 hours with a therapist at home, Ms. Ward said.

Throughout the day, teachers scribble furiously on clipboards, marking down every step of a child's progress. An identical set of files are sent home so parents and therapists can pick up where the school left off, Ward said.

On a recent tour of the school, Rob Mignone, a teaching assistant, plopped down on the carpeted floor next to 2-year-old Aiden Miguel Lozado from Meiers Corners, a sea of Lego blocks spread out before them.

Mignone asked Aiden Miguel to pick out a blue block and place it on top of another blue one. Instead, Aiden Miguel got on his knees, turned around and began to crawl away.

"Where are you going?" Mignone said, gently lifting him and sitting him back down. He gestured once more toward the blocks and Aiden Miguel began to put them together, one by one.

"Great job," Mignone said. "Now let's keep going."

It's that sort of patience, persistence and encouragement that parents say has paid off.

Kari Basile, a Great Kills resident, said that her 3-year-old son, Paul, has been at the school for a few months and that she's amazed how quickly he's improved.

"He went from grunting and pointing to speaking in complete sentences," she said. "He can participate in an actual conversation, which he never used to do."

Her favorite part of the school day is when Paul mingles with other children -- some autistic, some not -- at an on-site day-care center that is open to anyone in the community. As Paul paints pictures of animals and reads Barney books with some of the other children, he learns how to be around other people without feeling awkward or afraid, Ms. Basile said.

Anyone interested in learning about Thursday's Child can walk in to the school on Seaview Avenue or call 311 and ask about the Early Intervention Program. TAG:Newhouse News Service material was used in this report.

Amisha Padnani covers education for the Advance. She may be reached at padnani@siadvance.com.

Against Code, Boy's Play Area In Jeopardy

(WCCO) The family of a boy who has autism is fighting to keep something that seems pretty basic: a place to play.

"The deck was put up here to provide my son, who has autism, a safe play area," said Matt Foote of Paynesville, Minn.

According to Stearns County officials, the deck may have to come down because it was built without a permit, but the Foote family isn't removing the deck without a fight.

"You hear him out here like with his little squirrels, and he'll go inside and get his stuffed animals and he'll bring a blanket out and with his play grill -- he'll cook 'em food," said Matt Foote about his son Alex who has autism.

Five-year-old Alex doesn't know that he and his backyard friends might have to find another place to play. His parents say it wouldn't be safe for him to wander in the yard that backs up to Rice Lake.

"So if he were to have an open play area in the grass, the fear would be the lake," said Matt Foote.

Stearns County officials didn't want to comment on the case but they did say that the Foote family did not get a permit, and that the deck violates the state setback rule of 100 feet.

"When you step up, if it's less than 12 inches from the ground, you don't need a permit to build. There is not a permit to build until it becomes a deck," said Matt Foote.

"Well, unbenounced to us when the plans were drawn up, they we were always referred to it as a deck. Stearns County was referring to it as a patio. This patio became a deck when we put the railings up," he said.

The county did offer a compromise -- move the deck to the other side of the house. But there are no windows for the parents to watch Alex. The family was also told they could build a small, enclosed gazebo.

"That's tantamount to putting him in a dog kennel. Would you want to put your kid in a dog kennel? I mean 'here son, you can go play but you're stuck in here," said Matt Foote.

The family is appealing the county's decision and will be in court on August 21.

College Scholarship Awarded To Boy With Autism

Amie Bell says the LearningRx program changed her son's life. Nine-year-old Tripp Bell had been in Special Ed since kindergarten. Now, he's been awarded a college scholarship.




LearningRx's learning exercises are like games to help Tripp Bell focus and improve his memory. For years, Bell found it hard to concentrate.

"I got a lot of bad grades," says Bell.

His parents tried changing the nine-year-old's medication and diet and added allergy injections. It didn't work.

"He would go home and call himself stupid," says Amie Bell.

"I always disappoint my mom," says Tripp Bell.

Bell has autism, ADD, a learning disability, and severe short-term memory loss, but normal intelligence.

"I got bad grades. I never wanted to get bad grades."

That was before he enrolled in LearningRx's six- month program.

"We're not working academically. We're working at the root level to improve those skills we're born with," says Neal Best, LearningRx of Little Rock Center Director.

After two months of training exercises, his mother says the time she spent with him on homework was cut in half. He also won the program's National Student of the Year award along with a $1,000 college scholarship and a trip to Colorado.

The center director says bell has gained an average of six years in his mental abilities. No longer does he utter the word "stupid."

"I feel smart," says Bell.

He is no longer enrolled in Special Ed. The biggest reward his parents say this program boosted his learning ability and his self-esteem.