Autism: Solving the puzzle

He had learned words and forgot them weeks later. By the age of two, he had no communication skills. After a series of tests, the signs were obvious. Karathomas’s son was part of a growing population of Americans stricken with Autism.

Today, Karathomas, of Clifton Park, has three boys, ages 13, 6 and 4 who all have a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“Awareness is lacking. There are so many types of children who are Autistic, and most people are expecting to see a child who can’t speak or connect, and this is very false,” Karathomas said.

Autism is the most common developmental disorder in the group of ASD, which also includes Asperger’s Syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder and Rett Syndrome. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Autism can be defined by impairments in socialization and communication and the presence of odd behaviors or interests. Learning abilities for people with Autism can range from very gifted to severely limited; for example, Bill Gates has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Someone on the spectrum can be affected in many different ways. According to the Autism Society of America, typical signs to look for in a child are, but are not limited to: a lack of or delay in speaking, little or no eye contact, repetitive use of words or mannerisms (hang flapping, rocking, twirling objects), fixation on certain objects or topics of interest, and little interest in peer relationships.

People are typically diagnosed between 2-3 years of age.

The cause of ASD is still unknown and there is no cure; however, with different therapies, there is the possibility of life-long improvements for a person living with ASD.

“It’s not about IQ at all, as mental retardation is. Someone with Autism may have a normal IQ, but their behavior, language skills and social skills are affected by the disorder,” said Patti Paduano, Director of Family Services at Saratoga Bridges. She added that one in 150 people have some form of ASD, and boys are four times more likely to have a disorder than girls.

“It’s important to know that the number of cases are increasing and society needs to become more informed and understanding. If this happens, it presents a healthier environment for everyone,” said Dan Tater of Queensbury, whose older brother has a form of ASD. Last summer Tater headed a charitable group called “Rolling for Autism,” and raised more than $150,000 for the cause. He is in the works of starting a campaign to raise Autism awareness among children – the teachers, doctors, lawyers and parents of tomorrow, he said.

“Numbers are on the rise. Five years ago, one in 1,000 children were diagnosed with ASD.

Today it’s one in 150 people. We all need to look for ways to make life easier for people who are affected by the disease,” he said. “These people are not diseased or sick, and to think of them that way is completely false. I’ve met some of the most fascinating and talented people who are living with some from of ASD.”

While a diagnosis of Autism is lifelong, there’s hope that a person can still have a fulfilling and long life with outside help.

With daily therapy and consistent hard work, life can become easier for someone suffering with the disorder, said Marcia Roth of Delmar. As the parent of a 25-year-old son who is legally blind and suffers from Autism, Roth said that it is important for young parents to try any and everything available to them to help an Autistic child.

“Parents have to do their homework to find different services and therapies and find the right fit for their child. It is exhausting, but we need to persist and try everything,” she said.

One of the most important messages that parents of children with ASD want the public to know is that ASD is a neurological and biomedical disorder which affects someone’s behavior.

“Autistic people have no innate means to be bad or evil, like many people believe when they see kids acting out. We all need to look at what someone with Autism can do, not what they can’t do,” Roth said. “In terms of behavior, acting out is more akin to having a seizure. A child with

Autism can’t communicate that they are overstimulated or overwhelmed, so they act out defensively. We all need to work hard to understand such a complex disorder that affects more and more families each year.”