Home About Us Media Kit Subscriptions Links Forum
APPEARED IN


View All Articles

Download PDF

DIRECTORIES:

Job Opportunities

Tutors

Workshops

Events

Sections:

Books

Camps & Sports

Careers

Children’s Corner

Collected Features

Colleges

Cover Stories

Distance Learning

Editorials

Medical Update

Metro Beat

Movies & Theater

Museums

Music, Art & Dance

Special Education

Spotlight On Schools

Teachers of the Month

Technology

Archives:

1995-2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

JUNE 2004

Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Part I
by Cecelia M. McCarton, M.D.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the new epidemic. It was first described by Dr. Kanner in 1943 and for years was thought to be a relatively rare disorder. Ten years ago, the rate of occurrence was one in 2500 children. Steadily, the rates have declined to 1:500 children, to 1:250 children, to the current figures of 1:166 children. How or why defies current knowledge, but we do know we have a serious, steadily rising disorder on our hands. ASD occurs across all economic ethnic and geographic groups. It could happen to any family and the psychological, economic and education impact is stretching the capacity of families, intervention agencies and schools to meet the pressing needs of the children.

What Exactly is Autistic Spectrum Disorder?ASD is a neurological disorder, which occurs in 4 times as many boys as girls.  To acquire this diagnosis, a child must meet several criteria, among them qualitative impairment of verbal and nonverbal language, communication and imaginative play.; no speech, facial expression, gestures or pointing; unintelligible jargon, and echolalia

Making the Diagnosis: If a child exhibits the behaviors associated with ASD, it is imperative that he be seen by a pediatrician, pediatric neurologist or a developmental pediatrician. The individual must have experience with ASD and be familiar with its manifestations. Unfortunately, at this point, there are no biochemical or neuroradiologic studies that can determine the diagnosis of ASD. The diagnosis is based on the observation of consistent, atypical behaviors. #

Intervention Programs & Prognosis, Part II, next month.

Dr. Cecelia McCarton is the founder of the McCarton Center, a school for autistic children on E. 82nd St. in NYC.

COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE

Name:

Email:
Show email
City:
State:

 


 

 

 

Education Update, Inc.
All material is copyrighted and may not be printed without express consent of the publisher. © 2004.