Autism and Family Education
Posted by Health articles on September 16th, 2009
Recent studies have shown that we are amidst what the media is calling a “Worldwide Epidemic” of autism. Based on official figures of ongoing research, one in every one hundred fifty children that are born, is diagnosed with autism. The diagnosed cases of autism have more than quadrupled since the early 1990’s. The studies have also shown that boys diagnosed with autism, outnumber the girls some four to one. Though these statistics are very alarming, nothing could be more upsetting than to learn that a child of your own has been diagnosed with this debilitating affliction.
The National Autistic Society
When a child is diagnosed with autism, the family needs to openly discuss the situation and pull together. That’s assuming that there are two parents and at least one other child. It is this type of situation that can push an unstable family over the edge. By unstable, I mean a family that has poor communication or considered dysfunctional. The result can be a divorce and family separation, and the parents either blaming themselves or each other. Every family is different, and the point is, whoever is responsible for caring for the autistic child, or that are around or “In” the child’s life, must get educated about autism.
Every member of the family needs to contribute some time. The biggest thing about autism is being able to communicate with the child, which is often hard to do. It is often hard to know if your efforts are even getting through. This is why the family needs to take advantage of natural opportunities for communication exchanges and language development. Possible outcomes could be encouraging interaction and initiation of responses in an expressive mode, like vocal, sign, gestures or use of pictures.
Autism is a very complicated and unpredictable disorder, that takes the dedication and determination of the family unit combined to realize any positive progress or development. Education is the key. There have been a lot of new breakthroughs in the understanding of autism. Having a good, up to date guide book about autism on hand will help the whole family have a better understanding of it.
Monty Carlos
Tags: Autism