“People need to understand that autism is a lifelong condition that results in some degree of social isolation. It is a type of pervasive developmental disorder and is usually evident in infancy, childhood, or adolescence,” said Sherry D. Robertson, Alabama DMH/MR Mental Retardation Community Services Manager. “People also need to be aware of the fact that the severity of autism varies. Some individuals with autism need assistance in almost all aspects of their daily lives, while others are able to function at a very high level and can even attend school in a regular classroom. The character ‘Raymond’ in the movie Rainman, was an individual with autism known as a savant, which is a very rare case of autism. Most individuals with autism have mental retardation. Studies show that below normal intelligence occurs in about 70% of children with autism.”

According to the ASA the following are some traits exhibited by individuals with autism:

• Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
• Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures or pointing instead of words
• Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language
• Laughing, crying, showing distress for reasons not apparent to others; tantrums
• May not want to cuddle or be cuddled; prefers to be alone; aloof manner
• Difficulty in mixing with others; little or no eye contact
• Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
• Sustained odd play or inappropriate attachments to objects
• Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
• No real fears of danger
• Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity
• Uneven gross/fine motor skills
• Not responsive to verbal cues

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an estimated 2 to 6 in 1,000 individuals are affected by autism. Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls, yet knows no racial, social or economic boundaries. It is not caused by bad parenting and is not a mental illness.

“The most widely accepted treatment of autism is early education, which is structured, visual, and individualized. Additional treatment options may include medical diets, and therapies, which focus on skill acquisition, interpersonal relationships, and physiological responses,” said Joe Carter, Glenwood Inc., Vice President of Adult Services (a contract service provider for the Alabama DMH/MR located in Birmingham, AL). “This year in association with the Alabama Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, we began providing vocational support for individuals with autism. Through such services and treatment options we served over 500 individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders this past year …but there are many more needs,” stated Mr. Carter.

RESOURCES

To learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders call the Autism Society of Alabama or visit
www.autism-society.org.

For more information about services provided by Glenwood Inc. Mental Health Services please call
 (205) 969-2880 or visit www.glenwood.org.

Information about the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation can be obtained by calling
 (334) 242-3417 or by visiting www.mh.state.al.us.