Autism Diagnosis, Treatment and Progress
Approximately one in 166 American children born today will be diagnosed with
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A variety of conditions are included in ASD,
including Asperger Syndrome, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), and
Rett Syndrome. These disorders can manifest as mild developmental delays, or as
severe impairments in several areas of development including social interaction,
communication and cognition.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex developmental disability that generally
appears in the first three years of life. Characteristics of Autism Spectrum
Disorders include: impairments in both verbal and nonverbal communication,
limited social interaction and eye contact, and repetitive behaviors that
interfere with typical childhood activities.
Identifying Autism:
The following characteristics and behaviors are considered "Red Flags". If
you find that your child demonstrates several of these characteristics, please
speak with your child's pediatrician, or call Easter Seals for more information.
- Does not use words to communicate by age 2, or uses unusual or
repetitive language
- Loses language or social skills
- Repetitive movements or behaviors
- An insistence on sameness and following of familiar routines that seems
unreasonable
- Difficulty looking others in the eye
- Does not engage in pretend play or show an interest in playing with
others
- Uses very few facial expressions
- Does not call attention to activities, interests or accomplishments
- Has interests that are limited, overly intensive or unusual
Evaluation and Autism Treatment:
Easter Seals offers the Autism Spectrum Disorder Early Diagnosis Clinic for
children suspected of having a disorder on the spectrum. Children as young as 18
months participate in a two-day diagnostic process that includes an intake
interview, neurodevelopmental evaluation, occupational and communication
evaluations, and a behavioral psychological evaluation. Following testing, the
team meets to determine a diagnosis, recommendations, and to identify treatment
options. Options are offered at some Easter Seals locations include
Occupational, Speech, and Developmental Therapy services, and the P.L.A.Y. (Play
and Language for Autistic Youngsters) Project. The National Academy of Sciences
recommends early, intensive intervention for children diagnosed with ASD
(generally 15 to 25 hours of one-on-one interventions per week), low adult to
child ratios, and interventions that promote engagement with a strategic
direction. The P.L.A.Y. Project model follows these recommendations and
incorporates communication and sensory goals into program activities.
The purpose of the Easter Seals P.L.A.Y. Project is to provide individualized
interventions for young children between 18 months and six years of age. The
intervention strategies are based on the pioneering work of Stanley Greenspan,
MD, a nationally recognized child psychiatrist who developed the Floortime/DIR
(Developmental, Individualized, Relationship-based) model. Dr. Richard Solomon,
developmental pediatrician with the Ann Arbor Center for Developmental and
Behavioral Pediatrics, used the Floortime model to develop The P.L.A.Y. Project,
a program specifically designed to facilitate developmental progress in children
with Autism Spectrum Disorders. P.L.A.Y. uses videotape technology to coach
parents as they implement intensive one-on-one interactions with their child.
P.L.A.Y. Consultants, who have participated in extensive training with Dr.
Solomon, teach parents to engage in playful, yet structured activities, which
are targeted at their child's developmental level, to encourage increased
engagement. P.L.A.Y. is child-focused, family friendly, and research on the DIR
model has revealed long-term gains. Easter Seals staff and families have been
extremely pleased with the progress of children enrolled in The P.L.A.Y.
Project. For more information on The P.L.A.Y. Project or evaluation of children
who may be demonstrating characteristics or symptoms of
Autism Spectrum Disorders, contact the Easter Seals locations nearest you.
By: Erin Rogers, Vice President Program Services, Easter Seals
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