Autism
Autism is a developmental disability, not a mental disease. It impairs imagination and social interaction and communication skills. About 10% of autistic people are a whiz (see the film "The Rain Man" - Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise) in areas such as mathematical calculations, art or music. There is no cure for autism.
People with autism look no different from normal people. The condition is often termed the "invisible disability" and people blame the odd behavior of autistics on ill discipline or bad parenting. Autism affects about four out of every 10,000 children and is four times more common in boys than girls. No two people with autism behave in the same manner, thus the disorder is often referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The intellectual ability in autistic children ranges from those with severe learning disabilities to those with average or above-average intellect. People with autism are all impaired in three areas - social interaction, social communication and imagination.
The cause of autism is not known. It is traced to a variety of conditions that affect brain development, such as maternal rubella, tuberous sclerosis, lack of oxygen at birth and complications from childhood illness such has measles and whooping cough. The disorder usually manifests itself within the first three years of life. But it is often not detected till much later as there is no medical or clinical marker to confirm the diagnosis and it is strongly behavior-based. But diagnosis is important as it helps the family to seek the most appropriate support services for their child.
Early detection also helps foster development, promote learning, increase independence in daily living skills and alleviate family distress. Usually a combination of behavior treatment, education, speech and language therapy, family support and occasionally medication are needed. With impaired social interaction skills, Autistic children often will not be proactive in approaching others. Even when they do, they do it in inappropriate ways such as hugging strangers or butting into a play session. In severe cases, the child is indifferent to others and would play alone even when there are many children nearby.
Without proper communication skills, children with autism range from those who talk non-stop to those whose language is disordered or even absent. They usually have difficulty talking about their thoughts and feelings, or understanding other people. With impaired imagination, autistic children often play in a repetitive and even obsessive nature such as spinning the wheels of a toy car repeatedly instead of playing with the car itself.
Thus they are often misunderstood as being insensitive. But as long as the public remains ignorant of the condition, autistics will find life hard.
Special schools and centres
Autistic Association Block 381 Clementi Avenue 5 #01-398 tel 774 6649 provides classes for children age two to six. Runs sessions for parents to cope with the disorder. Also runs Autism Youth Centre where adolescents age 12 to 21 are taught self-help skills such as personal hygiene, how to take public transport and make purchasers.
Margaret Drive Special School 501 Margaret Drive tel 472 707 offers kids age seven to 12 lessons on academic skills as well as self-help and social skills.
Balestier Special School 8 McNair Road tel 295 6591 offers kids age seven to 12 lessons on academic skills as well as self-help and social skills.
Dover Court Centre for Special Education tel 775 7664 and 775 7665 offers kids lessons on academic skills as well as self-help and social skills.
Horizon School for Special Education 8/9 Winchester Road tel 270 1824 offers individual-based programme tailored to the needs of those age 3 to 31 years.
Christian Outreach to the Handicapped 155 Owen Road tel 295 5941 and 295 2007 offers autism programme that caters to adolescents age 13 to 18.
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Straits Times Oct 15, 2000
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