Autism, the
mysterious neurological disorder that was first described in 1943 and once
considered very rare, now affects one in 34 boys (2.97 percent) and one in 145
girls (0.69 percent). Are there really more children with autism, or are
we just looking for it harder? Most likely, the increase is due to the expansion of the diagnostic criteria, in
the 1990s, to reflect the concept that autism is a spectrum of impairments, called Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD.
Autism is not an illness or disease. Rather, it is a neurodevelopmental
condition that can be recognized by age two or three and lasts a lifetime.
There is a wide range of symptoms, some of which may seem contradictory. For
instance, some people on the spectrum have a strong aversion to social
situations, while others are incredibly outgoing and want to make friends. Some
people might struggle to be empathetic, while others are overly sensitive to
others’ emotions. Moreover, the learning, thinking,
and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from the gifted to the
severely challenged. People with autism can be high functioning to low
functioning. Some may hold a job and go about their days with little problem,
and others struggle with basic skills.
What is common to all those on the spectrum is difficulty in forming and
maintaining social relationships, impairment in
the ability to communicate verbally or nonverbally, and repetitive behavior
patterns as well as restricted interests and activities.
The cause of ASD is unclear. But theories such as vaccines, bad
parenting, and divine punishment have been debunked and are not considered
valid by any scientific authority. ASD cannot be cured, but many of its
symptoms can be ameliorated with support and therapeutic treatment. Early
treatment is key. This is because of the greater brain plasticity and
behavioral flexibility that is a fundamental characteristic of early childhood.
On the bright side, with so many children being diagnosed with
autism, treatment programs and modalities and, most
importantly, insurance compensation are increasingly available.
Mrs. Miriam Newmark, of Blue Balloon, graciously agreed to talk to me about
autism and her program.
* * *
Devora Schor: What
symptoms should parents look for to know if their child is on the spectrum? At
what age should the child be tested, and where would they go for a definitive
diagnosis?
Miriam Newmark: Initial
signs of autism are delayed milestones, specifically in the area of
communication and social skills. Not exhibiting shared interests, lack of eye
contact, not responding to his name, repetitive/abnormal play interests and behaviors
are more signs.
Parents can contact their own personal pediatrician for a
diagnosis, however a diagnosis from a licensed psychologist is preferred. In
Maryland, we have Mt. Washington and Kennedy Kreiger Institute that have
teams of professionals to evaluate your child but have very long wait lists. At
Blue Balloon, we have a clinical psychologist on staff to do diagnostics from
the age of two. It is crucial for a child to be diagnosed early so they can
access services. Most children typically get their initial diagnosis between 18
months and four years, but an individual can be diagnosed at any point in time.
DS: I understand that ASD is a spectrum disorder. Are
there different kinds of diagnoses and therefore different levels of services
offered?
MN: There is only one diagnosis, but since ASD is a
spectrum disorder, each child has a different level of need. Some children require
full-day early intervention, while others require social skills groups or
behavior support in a school setting. We tailor our intervention to the needs
of the child. The common and evidence-based therapies for ASD are ABA therapy,
speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
DS: Can you describe what ABA therapy is and what it
offers children with disabilities.
MN: ABA,
which stands for Applied Behavioral Analysis, uses a scientific approach to
change specific behaviors by manipulating the environment of an individual. ABA
focuses on developing language skills to reduce problem behavior. The primary
focus of our therapy is language, play skills, social skills, and reducing
rigidity or problem behavior. If a child has difficulty learning or acquiring
new skills, ABA therapy figures out how to teach that individual child in a way
that works for them; it is a very individualized process! For example,
let’s say a child hits other children. The ABA therapist will first try to find
out the triggers that are causing the child to hit. Then she will work with the
child to learn to communicate his or her needs in a more acceptable way, as
well as teach alternative skills. Because the ABA therapist is with the child
for many hours a day, she has the opportunity to work with the child many times
and can really impact the child’s behavior. There has been a lot of
research that suggests an intense (in terms of number of hours) ABA program
produces better long-term results.
DS: What do you do at your Early Intervention
Center?
MN: Ours is a full-day program that is open
throughout the year for children with an autism diagnosis, aged 18 months to
six years. The setting is mostly one-on-one, allowing us to use differentiated
learning throughout the day. Our team is loving, warm, and experienced in the
field in ABA. In addition, we have some group time to teach children social
skills and practice learning in a group setting. We do not focus on academics at this age; rather, we give the child the
tools they need to be able to learn later on in life. It is a completely
individualized program, tailor-made to the needs and strengths of each child.
In addition to the Early Intervention Center, we service all ages
in the home and school environments.
DS: If a child has a diagnosis of ASD what services are
they entitled to? Who pays for these services?
MN: Our
full-day Early Intervention Clinic is completely covered by private insurance. For
older children, many parents are not aware that insurance will also pay for
services in the child’s school or home setting.
DS: Do you work with the parents or just the children?
MN: We
absolutely work with the parents! Parent training is a required and extremely
beneficial part of ABA therapy. The more the parents are involved, the more
consistency takes place, the more progress we see! Parents are encouraged
to come into the clinic and observe and learn from the therapists so that they
can carry out the intervention at home.
DS: I have
heard that ABA therapists are in demand. What kind of training does a person
need to be an ABA therapist?
MN: To start
work in the ABA field, a 40-hour training is required. At Blue Balloon, we
provide an in-person, comprehensive, two-week training prior to starting to work
with clients. We provide continued supervision and training opportunities to
ensure that the therapists are competent in the skills needed to work with
their specific client. Becoming an ABA therapist is a wonderful
opportunity for a person who loves children – and the pay is great. It’s an
opportunity to earn a good salary without spending a long time in school. We
are currently hiring male and female ABA therapists, so feel free to reach out
and be part of a company that impacts the lives of children with autism!
