Parents worry when their children don’t seem to be developing normally, and in many cases, their fears are unfounded. But some of these parents face difficult news: Their child has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a blanket term for a wide range of developmental conditions including autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder — not otherwise specified.
Nancy Roizen, MD
Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics & Psychology
Rainbow Autism Center
“Learning that a child has autism can be devastating for parents,” says Nancy Roizen, MD, Division Chief, Division of Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics and Psychology, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. “They often feel that a rug was pulled out from under them. Suddenly they have to modify their expectations for their child. And while more people are aware of autism today, the downside is that parents are often confused because of ‘so-called’ miracle cures. The reality is that there isn’t a cure for autism yet.”
The Rainbow Difference
Today there’s more hope for families coping with ASD thanks to advances in diagnosing and treating this neurological disorder.
Local families can get high-quality services and support close to home at the Rainbow Child Development Center at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. The center recently expanded and moved to a new location in the W.O. Walker Center, located near Rainbow’s main campus in Cleveland.
In October, Rainbow teamed up with AutismToday.com, the world’s largest autism Web site, to launch the First Annual International Autism Summit in downtown Cleveland for families and professionals who treat or work with patients with ASD. The summit provided information on ASD, highlighted local and national esources and presented an opportunity for people to share their experiences with others. Dr. Roizen, along with fellow member of the Rainbow Child Development Center Christine Barry, PhD, presented at the summit.
Understanding Autism About one in 150 kids develops autism, according to the Autism Society of America. Experts don’t know exactly what causes autism and other developmental disorders. It’s possible that genetics and environmental factors both play a role.
Since children with autism may have very different symptoms and their symptoms may vary in severity, doctors think of autism as a spectrum disorder. Common symptoms include problems with social interaction, difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication and unusual, repetitive behaviors or obsessive interests.
Early Diagnosis Is Key
“If you have any suspicion that your child may have autism, don’t hesitate to get it checked out,” says Donna Sili, pictured on the cover with her daughter Elizabeth and Dr. Roizen. “We had attributed Elizabeth’s behaviors to her having Down syndrome, when in fact, many of them were due to autism. Hopefully, now that we have a proper diagnosis, we can begin to work with her and see improvement in her behavior.”
The Rainbow Child Development Center’s multidisciplinary team of developmental/behavioral pediatricians, pediatric psychologists, pediatric neuropsychologists and other specialists work together to thoroughly evaluate children and assess their neurocognitive, behavioral and learning abilities.
“A proper diagnosis is a very important first step in getting the right treatment,” Dr. Roizen says. “Our goal is to identify kids with these disorders and start intensive services early to improve their outlook. So we ask ‘What’s the problem,’ ‘What can we do,’ and ‘What’s the plan.’” Clinicians at the center develop comprehensive and personal treatment plans for patients that may include behavior and communication therapies, medications to help with symptoms and psychological counseling. Staff also work closely with patients’ schools, pediatricians and other appropriate health care providers to ensure each child gets appropriate medical, educational and social support.
Family Involvement Is Crucial The center has a family-friendly environment where patients and families feel comfortable seeking care and support. They also help family members cope with autism and offer strategies to help them manage their children at home.
“Each child and family is different,” Dr. Roizen says. “We help parents find ways to anticipate and deal with problems and identify and address barriers their children face. When all the people involved with autistic children do their part, youngsters with ASD can reach their potential and maximize their ability to function. The hope is that they will progress to the point where they have jobs, develop relationships and enjoy recreational activities.”