Sitting at my parents house I couldn't help notice their World Book Encyclopedias. Copyright 1975. More than a little outdated. I grab the A version and flip to the meaning of Autism. I didn't expect to find it but for sure it was in there. This is what I found.
An American psychiatrist named Leo Kanner first identified autism in 1943. He believed it to be an inborn disorder of body chemistry. Researchers had discovered abnormal amounts of chemicals in blood and urine of autistic children. Some experts at the time believed that autism was caused by child-rearing practices of the mother. Today, we know that is untrue.
In 1975, 1 child in 30,000 had symptoms of autism. The most noticeable was a strange, vacant stare. About 75 percent of autistic children were male. What happened since then that cases of autism skyrocketed to about 1 in every 110 children? 1 in 70 for boys.
Symptoms displayed at this time were unresponsiveness, detachment, insistence on sameness and gracefulness. Those still are present signs today to help identify the disorder in small children.
I also found out tonight that 1 in 80 people with autism are in the military. What's up with that?
Autism can't be cured but it can be treated. We still love our children unconditionally and wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. We have to learn to live with how they grow into our world and except them because they are our children. We want the best for them. The best therapy and safety. We want them to grow up and make us proud. We have to stay by their side and help guide them in the right direction. This is our job as parents.
This is my online diary about my son diagnosed with autism at age 2. His progress and regressions. His behavior and his sensory overloads. Therapy and picture schedules. Drama and humor to figure out how his mind works.
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