Jocie Ingram
Special to the Record
April is autism awareness month and I would like to share the story of my son Alden who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the age of three. Alden was a beautiful baby, with big brown eyes and a thick head of hair. I was a love-struck first time parent—full of pride and optimism for my baby boy, who met all of his developmental milestones right on cue.
Just before he turned two, Alden developed a keen interest in numbers and letters that bordered on obsession. “He’s so smart,” people would say, as he read license plates and called out house numbers. He was passionate about the alphabet, and loved magnetic fridge letters, which he lined up with great precision. Though affectionate with us, he had little interest in playing with his peers or baby sister.
He had an impressive vocabulary, but his speech seemed muddled. I noticed that he wasn’t too flexible, and would have worse-than-average tantrums if things didn’t go his away. After one such tantrum while attending our local Strong Start program, the coordinator suggested that I give the Child Development Association a call. I didn’t fully believe that anything was wrong, but I thought I would err on the side of caution.
It was extremely hard to consider that my son might be autistic, and that I might have to seek professional help. Through the next several months, while waiting for a diagnosis, I went through an intense grieving process. I realized that my son might need help and that his life might not be as easy as I had envisioned. While grappling with this new reality, I decided to put my own feelings on the back burner and get on with helping him as best I could.
It is now over two years since I called the Child Development Association. My son has benefitted greatly from the programs the CVCDA offers, which include the infant development program, support services for daycare, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
We are fortunate in that there is also government funding available to further help Alden develop the skills he needs.
Under the direction of a consultant, three interventionists come to our home to work one-on-one with Alden. Today, Alden is thriving. He speaks well, has become much more social, and loves preschool. He is a charming, intelligent boy with a great sense of humour. We love him for who he is, and by learning about autism, we understand him so much better.
Autism is a complex, developmental disorder that is present at birth. It is called a “spectrum” because it encompasses a wide range of abilities. Regardless of cognitive ability, autistic individuals all tend to have some difficulty with social communication. With therapy, many autistic children greatly improve.
Early intervention is especially important since it is one of the most critical periods of brain development. Though autism can be diagnosed as young as 18 months, it seldom is. More often it is diagnosed at three, or in school-aged children. Autism is a common disorder, affecting one in 90. The cause is unknown, but it is believed that there is a strong genetic component.
Early signs of autism can include the following:
•Less eye contact than typical children.
•Little use of gestures like pointing or nodding.
•Does not speak, or speech development seems unusual.
•High sensitivity to light or sound.
•Difficulties with transitions, or tantrums when has to change activities.
•Does not engage in typical play, such as pretend play.
•May not respond to name if focused on something.
•May line up toys or have unusual obsessions.
•May have trouble with fine-motor skills.
Signs of autism can be subtle, and not all of the characteristics are present in each child. Autism may also seem invisible, since autistic kids often look just like their peers. For these reasons, it is often not detected by family doctors. Parents should trust their instincts if they have concerns, since parents’ gut-feelings are often correct.
Receiving a diagnosis is an emotional experience for any family. But with diagnosis comes the good news that there is help available. As with autism or any disorder, receiving these services can make of world of difference to the child. Seeing the gains that Alden has made, we know that we have made the right choice.
The Comox Valley Autism Spectrum Parent/Family Support Group aims to provide support for families who have children with ASD. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Child Development Centre in Courtenay. For more information contact comoxvalleyautismparentgroup@gmail.com. To learn about services offered by the Child Development Association, visit http://cvcda.ca.