Autism Parents Club

Signs of autism may be visible already during the first two years of life.
Signs of autism include:

- weak ability to connect
- delayed language development
- a repetitive and obsessive behavior

The diagnosis of “autism” can be set when all features are present, otherwise we use the term “autistic traits”.

How can I find out if your child has autism?

You get no interaction with the child, who often avoid eye contact.
The child shows no interest in ordinary toddler toys, and you realize that there is something seriously wrong with it.

Why are some children autistic?

It is shown that the hereditary system plays a major role, and children with autism more often than healthy children, have complications before and in a first few months after birth.
There were many proofs that autism is caused by a disturbance in brain function, but it is not known exactly in what way the failure occurs or what does it consists. There is a lively research in this area now.

Is there anything I can do to prevent your child will have autism?

No, there is not. The most important thing is to find a way to interact with your child.
Using sign language has proven to be useful.

Is autism something to go to the doctor?

Yes, if you are troubled by the idea that something is seriously wrong with the child.
Then you should talk to your doctor. The sooner, the better.

How can the doctor tell if your child is autistic?

First, the doctor can tell you about child development and behavior. After that he can observe the examination of the child. It will show that the child is severely abnormal.
It is not customary to set a clear diagnosis in the first place.

What can the doctor do next?

Infantile (children) autism is such a rare condition that the doctor always want to refer the patient to child psychiatrist or pediatrician. When the child is thoroughly examined by a specialist he can set up a treatment plan along with the child’s special education teachers.
Your doctor can also make sure you get adequate relief and the benefits you are entitled. Your doctor can provide information about “National Association of autism,” where you can share your experiences with other parents who have autistic children.
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By Jennifer Lebovich and Kathleen McGrory | Miami Herald

Three boys were charged Wednesday in the sexual assault of an 11-year-old autistic girl in an elementary school restroom.
One of the boys, also 11, followed the girl into a restroom at Norland Elementary School in Miami Gardens earlier this month and forced her to perform oral sex on him, authorities said.

He is charged with sexual battery on a child under 12 and with false imprisonment.
The two others, ages 13 and 11, acted as lookouts outside the restroom, the arrest report said.
The Miami Herald is not identifying the youths because of their ages.

“It’s a terrible, unfortunate incident,’ said Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Charles Hurley. “I don’t know where youngsters are learning some of these things. These are acquired behaviors.
The girl’s mother said she did not find out about the attack until two days later, when she got a call from the school. She said, though, that family members noticed a change in the girl’s behavior right away.

“She wouldn’t hold her head up, she wasn’t the same,’ said the girl’s mother.
The girl has Asperger’s syndrome, a mild form of autism, and is in a special education class at Norland Elementary, 19340 NW Eighth Ct.

The girl’s mother and attorneys hired by the family called for more security to prevent such incidents in schools.
“Two places your children should be safe: home and school,’ the mother said. “That should be a safe haven for them.’

The attorneys said they had not ruled out taking legal action.
A schools spokesman said the alleged assailants had been suspended and would be recommended for expulsion. The three, who were charged as juveniles, were not physically taken into police custody. Instead, the department filed the charges directly with the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office.

Police said the assault took place about noon March 3. The girl had been in a class preparing students for the FCAT, the attorneys said.

She was in a restroom when one of the boys came in and locked the door.
The boy “told the victim to get on her knees and he unzipped his pants,’ the arrest report said. He then made her perform a sex act .

The two other boys were outside the bathroom acting as lookouts, the report said. They were charged with false imprisonment and as accessories to sexual battery.
Hurley, the schools police chief, said his department approached the case “with an extreme amount of caution, care and sensitivity.’

“Instead of just making a quick arrest, we tried to gather as much information as we could,’ he said.
School administrators said they were reviewing procedures at the school.
Hurley said schools remain a safe place for children.
“We open our doors every day to 340,000 kids,’ he said. (more…)