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Study: Things take longer with autism

Easter Seals hopes information will help build autism services

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By SCOTT HILYARD

of the Journal Star

Posted Dec 16, 2008 @ 06:49 PM

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PEORIA —

The anecdotal evidence has been around as long as there have been children with

autism - the developmental disorder often creates pressure-cooker households

filled with worry and stress.

Autism red flags

The following characteristics may indicate a child is at risk for atypical

development and is in need of an evaluation:

• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or later.

• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by

nine months.

• No babbling by 12 months.

• No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by

12 months.

• No words by 16 months.

• No two-word phrases by 24 months.

• Any loss of language or social skills at any age.

Ask anyone touched by autism.

Now, results of a new national study by Easter Seals released Tuesday back up

what parents of children with autism have been saying all along.

" The study shows that everything takes longer with a child with autism - getting

ready for the day, getting ready for school, eating a meal, going out to eat,

getting ready for bed, " said , vice president of program Services for

Easter Seals Peoria Bloomington. " Now that this is quantified fact, the

information can be used to help build the kind of services people need and will

use. "

The national " Living with Autism Study " study surveyed 1,652 parents of children

who have autism and, as a control group, 917 parents of children who are

developing typically. The parents answered questions about daily life,

relationships, independence, education, housing, employment, finances and health

care.

According to the study, about 80 percent of parents of children with autism say

they are extremely concerned about their children's independence as an adult,

compared to only 32 percent of other parents.

Parents of children with autism also are very concerned about their children

fitting into society. For instance, only 9 percent feel their children will have

a spouse or life partner, compared to 51 percent of typical parents. And only 14

percent of parents of children with autism feel their children will ever be able

to make their own life decisions, compared to 65 percent of typical parents.

Parents are struggling with a host of worries, " Steve , the president

and CEO of Easter Seals Peoria-Bloomington, said Tuesday. " They fear that they

lack the lifelong support necessary to address issues of autism. "

The study validates " the importance of the growing array of services and

supports that have been put in place by Easter Seals and others in recent years

and underscores the fact that there remains much more to be done, "

said.

Bowe has deep autism credentials. Her son has Asperger's Syndrome (a milder

form of the disorder). She runs an Asperger's support group and works with

children with autism with the Special Education Association of Peoria County.

She said she hopes the Easter Seals autism numbers can be transformed into

Easter Seals autism services.

" One day the school bus won't come and we're left to figure out how our children

will survive in the world, " Bowe said. " We need to get services. We need to help

families, parents and siblings who struggle too when so much attention is given

to the child with autism. "

Hilyard can be reached at 686-3244 or at shilyard@....