CARBONDALE-A group that keeps tabs on children’s health issues has come up with the top ten issues to watch in 2010.
The SIU Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders helps between 15 and 20 children with the condition each semester.
Coordinator and speech pathologist Kirsten Schaper says it’s the only facility in the southern portion of the state that offers support and therapy to these kids.
Therapists take a behavior based approach when it comes to teaching children how to learn.
“So we’ll teach them joint attention, we’ll teach them how to imitate other people, we teach them specific language things, and how to interact with other people,” said Shaper.
Schaper says signs can show up at four to six months of age. Things to look out for, an infant who does not smile back or have sharing joint attention.
“For instance, if I look over to the side, it would almost be natural for you to look to the side too to see what I was looking at. This is something babies six to eight months can do. They can initiate and respond to other people’s attempt for joint attention.”
Schaper says it’s not just parents who need to be aware. She believes doctors need to start the screening process earlier too.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests an autism specific screener for every child at their 18 and 24 month well checks.
“If you start therapy early you can make greater gains because their little brains are lot more pliable when they’re younger. They’re starting to make those connections and learn things about their environment, learn how to interact with other people.”
And in some cases, integrated into a traditional classroom setting with the rest of their peers.
The Autism Center at SIU also evaluates children who may be autistic. The current wait time for an evaluation is about two months. Contact the center at (618) 536-2122 for more details.