Autism Spectrum Disorder

When it comes to having a child with special needs things can be difficult. Unfortunately its not really with the actual child themselves. Autism plays a big role in my daughters life when it come to playing with others, being involved in activities, daily living skills, education and so on. I never really knew what my daughters future would look like due to the fact that she was born with down syndrome, but to add Autism to the mix, this was a whole other playing field.

I had heard of Autism but didn't really know much about it. At about the age of three Madeline was showing very concerning signs to me that didn't make since. I knew she would be delayed mentally and physically due to DS, but with further research I learned that she would be able to basically do everything else that any other person could do, just at a slower pace. Which I thought was fine. Little did I know that we would end up with a dual diagnosis.

It hurt me so much as a mother to watch my child that was already struggling with so many things suddenly become distant. She was such a smiling energetic baby girl, and very determined. I noticed she wouldn't look at me when I spoke to her, nor would she respond to her name when it was called. We went back and forth to the doctors so many times thinking she was deaf. We did so many hearing tests I cant even count them all. I was worried that if she couldn't hear then she really would have trouble with speech. Which was already a concern. but it didn't make since that she was deaf because she loved to listen to me sing her to sleep and she used to smile when I would speak to her.

In my mind I would constantly say "this looks like Autism" and again, my heart would go "Nope." but when she stopped playing with her toys and would just shake a string in front of her face I knew something wasn't right. This is not just Down Syndrome, there is something else going on. We took her to be evaluated and it was confirmed she had severe non verbal

Autism. My heart sank with sadness. This can't be real, "she has Down Syndrome and Autism?" How does that work? Well it can, its rare, but it can happen.

Its been many years now since that evaluation was done and many more since then. She is 11 years old now, and everyday is different. Some days are better than others. I constantly wonder what is going on in her mind while she stims with her monkey or when she is holding a book close to her face. Why does she throw things all the time? What is the reason for her taking her shoes off? Why can she not wear a coat or have her hair brushed? She can only tolerate certain clothing or foods. Autism is a spectrum, which causes a wide range of issues for people who are diagnosed with it.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and perceives the world around them. It is called a "spectrum" disorder because the symptoms and severity can vary greatly from person to person.

ASD affects about 1 in every 54 children in the United States and is diagnosed four times more often in boys than in girls. It is a lifelong condition, meaning that it persists throughout a person's life, but with early intervention and appropriate support, many individuals with autism can lead fulfilling and successful lives.

The symptoms of autism usually become noticeable when a child is between 2 and 3 years old, although some signs may be present as early as 18 months. Children with autism may display any of the following behaviors:

• Difficulty with social interaction and communication: This can include problems with eye contact, body language, and facial expressions, as well as difficulty with initiating and maintaining conversations and friendships.

• Repetitive behaviors and interests: Children with autism may engage in repetitive behaviors such as hand-flapping, spinning, or rocking, and may be obsessed with a limited range of interests, such as trains, numbers, or a particular television show.

• Sensory sensitivities: Some children with autism may be oversensitive or under sensitive to stimuli such as light, sound, and touch.

• Difficulty with transition and change: Children with autism may have trouble adapting to changes in routine or environment, and may become very distressed when faced with unexpected events.

• Delays in language development: Some children with autism may have difficulty speaking, or may not speak at all. They may also have trouble understanding and using language in social situations.

It is important to note that no two children with autism are exactly alike, and the symptoms and severity of autism can vary widely. However, early identification and intervention can make a significant difference in the outcomes for children with autism.

There is currently no cure for autism, but there are many effective treatments and interventions that can help children with autism learn new skills, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life. These can include behavioral therapies, speech and language therapy, and medication to treat associated conditions such as anxiety and depression.

With the right support, many children with autism can lead happy, successful lives, and make meaningful contributions to their families and communities.