Waisman Center Day with the Experts

January 24, 2015

 

 

Notes from the Autism Conference at the Waisman Center

 

*1 in 6 in the USA have a developmental disability, a 17% increase from 1997-2008.

 

*Increasing diagnosis of autism, ADD.  1990 surge in autism diagnosis--1 in 68.  Social communication, restricted interests/repetitive behaviors.

 

*The term "mental retardation" from the 1960's is now "intellectual disabilities".

 

*Stem cells can be turned into neurons and other brain cells.  The hope is that these stem cells can help treat diseases of the eye, brain, spinal cord, and ear.

 

*Parental Verbal Responsiveness Can Facilitate Language and Communication in Young Children on the Autism Spectrum (title of one presentation).

 

--children learn language in a SOCIAL environment.

 

--parental responses are positively related to speech development in children (keep it positive, encouraging, elaborate on words used (i.e. BIG boat).

 

--study suggested that parental involvement helped most when the child was minimally verbal at age 2 1/2.  Otherwise, it made no difference in verbally fluent children.

 

*Motor Ability is one of the earliest predictors of an autistic disorder.

--low muscle tone

--highly prevalent

--difficulty reacting quickly

--balance/posture difficulties

--complex motor sequences

--diversity of motor skills varies by severity of ASD

--affected by corticospinal tract of brainstem?

 

*Quality of Life Study in Autistic Adults

 

--70% reported a good quality of life in adulthood (same as general population).

 

--80% were bullied in childhood, which was greatest predictor of poor quality of life in adulthood :(.

 

--Mother's reported they thought their autistic adult child had a poor SOCIAL quality of life even when the autistic adult felt otherwise. 

 

 



7!

Aiden is 7! 

 

 

We took Aiden ice-skating and out to dinner for his birthday.  Unlike our 5 year old, Aiden didn't get excited about the event until it actually happened.  I tried to get him excited by asking, "how many more days until your birthday?"  "When is your birthday Aiden?"  I'm not sure he understood the concept until we had cake and opened presents, but that is ok.  It was a special one!

 

Things I've been pondering about what is to come this year for Aiden and our family...

 

*Will he qualify for another year of therapy when he is reassessed in 4 months?  If so, will it help him anymore than it has?

 

*What happens if we don't qualify and Aiden regresses?  We've all become accustomed to therapists in our home 6 days a week.  It will be a BIG change for all of us.

 

Aiden starts a social skills class soon, which adds another thing to our schedule, but I feel it appropriate at this time.  I don't know what else to focus on other than his sight words and math facts.  His nutrition remains very poor, but I've fortified his diet the best I can, and we always encourage him to try a fruit and/or veggie every day.  He continues to have sensory issues related to foods.  Sometimes he says they "smell," and "I don't want to choke."  I'm not going to push the issue.  Hopefully with time he will try new foods.  He continues to grow so we can be grateful for that!

 

Aiden is preoccupied with figures from movies!  We now have the full sets for Winnie the Pooh, Mario Brothers, Pocoyo, Star Wars, and Toy Story.  He can leave his toys as long as he knows where they are.  If one gets lost, it is a big deal for Aiden, and that can be hard on all of us, but we get through it.  Sometimes with patience, sometimes not.

 

We love our Aiden so much, and hope for a great new year of possibilities!