Autism & Modern Day Developmental Changes
J.R.Slosar, Ph.D.
A new study that examined traits of autism in a larger student population that included children in regular education, reported a rate of 1 out of 38 kids had autistic traits. This more comprehensive study contrasts with previous reports that 1 out of 100 kids had autistic traits. The more thorough study was done in South Korea, but the results are scary and has experts worried that previous estimates are way too low.
Parents today are overwhelmed. In Clinical practice today many more children are seen with a mixture and a hybrid of symptoms that may not offer a clear diagnosis. As the new study shows, of most concern to parents is the increase in autism like symptoms. First, parents need to realize that greater awareness of these symptoms is NOT due to immunization shots. For the reason parents are spooked, just look up the Andrew Wakefield story.
The types of symptoms seen that mystify parents is a child’s intense reactive responses and hypersensitivity. Some children refuse to put on their clothes—reporting that it hurts. Other symptoms might include fear of letting their parents cut their nails. These symptoms also seem related to a surge in anxiety – if you will a child’s version of a panic attack. Despite these sensitivities and oppositional gestures of refusal, the child overall seems to do fine and is not below average functioning in school. In fact, they may be quite smart and precocious. Others may have a mild attention deficit, but often not enough to warrant medication. These symptoms may be referred to as autistic or Asperger like symptoms but I am not so sure. Each case is unique, and it is also important to note that the higher functioning autistic category of Asperger’s disorder is going to be taken out of the new edition of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
When autism is evident, it can be readily discerned. The main symptom is social relatedness and functioning. In particular, it is what is referred to in developmental Psychology as Theory of Mind. A child who has not developed this cannot ask questions or relate in a way that he/she considers what you are thinking. This normally develops at age 4 to 5 when we notice a child even starting to play tricks or jokes on their parents. They are now able to think about what you are thinking. Along with this comes the many questions they ask about you and others. This is noticeably absent in children with autistic symptoms. Of course, direct eye contact is also lacking in autistic children.
But the child who is presenting with a hybrid of sensitivities and stubbornness is a phenomenon I have noticed. It is important not to diagnose too quickly or ascribe Asperger’s or autism to the child’s development. It is also important to work with parents to make sure they don’t overuse behavioral methods. While a consistent behavior plan is almost always helpful, it may not be best to insist on it when the child is displaying hypersensitivities. Or at least it is important not to be punitive with behavioral methods for something that may be even neurological.
Many developmental scales are helpful for assessment, but observing a child’s play and interactions in a structured setting are the most helpful for designing an effective treatment regime. Today, changing biological patterns in development are complicated and must be seen in a broader perspective. While the category being used to describe these developmental symptoms as autism—they are much more complex and intricate and one must be careful about always labeling them as autistic.
