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Could My Child Have Autism?

October 24, 2009 by Patrick Comer  
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Could My Child Have Autism?
By Patrick Comer

~”we need to fund research to find a cause, a cure and effective treatments”~

gavinwheelwebfrescaCould my child have autism, or what is commonly referred to now as ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder? This is a question that is being asked by more and more parents every year. New studies estimate ASD is now being diagnosed in 1 out of every 99 children. Previously the ratio of diagnosis was 1 out of every 150 children, and before that 1 out of 200 children. The growing numbers make ASD more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

Why the continued increase? Answers vary from better questioning of parents, increased population awareness of ASD, improved screening and identification by providers, a worsening environment, harmful chemicals in vaccinations and foods, and the list goes on. “I think these new findings just reinforce the need for private and public sectors to take action against this health crisis,” said Elly Hagen-Memoli. Her 11-year-old son Max was diagnosed 9 years ago with ASD. Back then she said “I had never met anyone with autism. Today when I talk to groups, two-thirds of the room will know someone with autism.”

Regardless of why the numbers are increasing, parents with a child that has ASD rightly ask “what is going on?” “Why did this happen to my child? “What do I do for my child now?” “Will insurance cover therapies?” Unfortunately there are still more questions than answers. However, one thing is absolutely clear, early diagnosis and treatment are critical to the child’s development. Help is available. Two local events are taking place in November that provide education, guidance and resources for concerned parents.

Free Autism Screening for Toddlers

First, free screening for toddlers. The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida, will offer free monthly autism spectrum disorder screening for toddlers 18 months to 36 months of age.

The first screening will be held Nov. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, located in the Cape Coral Hospital parking lot. Additional screenings will be conducted monthly at different locations across Lee County.

The ASD screening will be conducted by the Neurosciences Center at The Children’s Hospital at HealthPark, under the guidance of pediatric neurologist Jose Colon, MD, MPH, and pediatric psychiatrist Marianne Krouk, DO. The onsite screenings will be administered by an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, who has extensive training and experience in typical child development and developmental disorders.

A physician referral is not required. To schedule a screening, you can call 239-985-3608

One of the screening methods is called the M-Chat (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers). I’ve posted the questions here only as an informational and educational guide for parents.


M-CHAT Instructions and questions. (Posting these questions here is meant only
as an educational resource and should not serve as a substitute for a professional diagnosis)
Please fill out the following about how your child usually is. Please try to answer every
question. If the behavior is rare (e.g., you’ve seen it once or twice), please answer as if
the child does not do it.
1. Does your child enjoy being swung, bounced on your knee, etc.? Yes No
2. Does your child take an interest in other children? Yes No
3. Does your child like climbing on things, such as up stairs? Yes No
4. Does your child enjoy playing peek-a-boo/hide-and-seek? Yes No
5. Does your child ever pretend, for example, to talk on the phone Yes No
or take care of a doll or pretend other things? Yes No
6. Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point, to ask for something? Yes No
7. Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point, to indicate interest Yes No
in something? Yes No
8. Can your child play properly with small toys (e.g. cars or blocks) Yes No
without just mouthing, fiddling, or dropping them? Yes No
9. Does your child ever bring objects over to you (parent) to show you something? Yes No
10. Does your child look you in the eye for more than a second or two? Yes No
11. Does your child ever seem oversensitive to noise? (e.g., plugging ears) Yes No
12. Does your child smile in response to your face or your smile? Yes No
13. Does your child imitate you? (e.g., you make a face-will your child imitate it?) Yes No
14. Does your child respond to his/her name when you call? Yes No
15. If you point at a toy across the room, does your child look at it? Yes No
16. Does your child walk? Yes No
17. Does your child look at things you are looking at? Yes No
18. Does your child make unusual finger movements near his/her face? Yes No
19. Does your child try to attract your attention to his/her own activity? Yes No
20. Have you ever wondered if your child is deaf? Yes No
21. Does your child understand what people say? Yes No
22. Does your child sometimes stare at nothing or wander with no purpose? Yes No
23. Does your child look at your face to check your reaction when faced with Yes No
something unfamiliar? Yes No
© 1999 Diana Robins, Deborah Fein, & Marianne Barton

Southwest Florida Walk Now for Autism Speaks

On Saturday November 7th, the annual Southwest Florida Walk Now for Autism Speaks takes place at Estero Community Park beginning at 10 a.m.

Bryce Itzkowits, along with his parents Brian and Dawn, cuts the ribbon at the 2008 Walk Now for Autism.

Bryce Itzkowits, along with his parents Brian and Dawn, cuts the ribbon at the 2008 Walk Now for Autism.

If you’ve never joined in the walk you will be in for a treat. The children and their families are truly inspiring, and passionate about building support for more research into ASD.

you can call 813-407-1704 or email SWFL@autismspeaks.org

For more information on the walk, to register or donate just click on this link:

http://www.walknowforautism.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=304562

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