The 1988 film, “Rain Main won four Academy Awards including Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman and Best picture.
In addition to entertaining audiences, it also shed light on autism and Savant Syndrome.
April is National Autism Awareness Month and while the movie did bring attention to conditions like autism, many people still have the misconception that all people with autism have the talents shown in the movie.
Savant Syndrome is a rare condition that may occur in persons with different developmental disorders, including autism, who may exhibit spectacular abilities and talents.
However, only less than 5 percent of persons with autism have savant skills.
Autism is a condition that encompasses a wide variety of disabilities.
Asperger Syndrome (AS) is one example.
AS is a developmental disorder at the higher functioning end of the autism spectrum.
Children with AS may have sustained impairment of social interaction.
It differs from autism in that there are no obvious delays in language.
Individuals with AS may not understand social behavior norms, but have average to above average intelligence.
According to the Center of Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), autism is a neurological disorder that affects functional of the brain.
It occurs in approximately 15 of every 10,000 people and is known to be four times more prevalent in boys than girls.
The Autism Society of America estimates that almost 400,000 Americans have the disability.
People in all racial, ethnic and social groups can have autism.
The disorder interferes with reasoning, communication and interaction.
Persons with autism may exhibit repeated body movements such as rocking back in forth.
Some individuals show mild symptoms, other may exhibit serve symptoms.
Children with autism may have problems playing with others.
They may resist changes in routines and laugh inappropriately or throw tantrums with no apparent reason.
Toddlers may not interact the way other children at a similar age level.
In addition, children with autism may not develop speech skills normally, despite exhibiting normal hearing tests.
The condition affects the way an individual interacts with others in social settings and, in some cases, how a person processes sensory data.
They may not understand the idea of friendship and may not comprehend the emotional expressions of others.
Seeing another person cry may be meaningless to them.
Persons with autism may not feel pain or may be overly sensitive to certain textures, tastes and aromas.
They may avoid making eye contact but focus on the mouth because that is where the sound is coming out.
There are also some children with autism who will make eye contact, be affectionate, smile and laugh.
Some may exhibit echolalia which is characterized by the repeating of words of phrases.
Children with autism may prefer to be alone and may resist cuddling.
They may not respond to verbal cues and find it difficult to express their needs.
There is debate as to what causes autism.
Some research points to biological or neurological differences in the brain.
The disorder was first studied in 1943.
Before it was understood, mothers were blamed for the children’s behaviors.
Other thought the children just needed a “good spanking.”
Children with autism look like everyone else, but may show delays in language and social interaction around the age of 2 or 3.
Diagnosis is made by observing a child’s behavior and communication.
Some children will group up needing help in almost all aspects of their lives, while others may be able to function relatively independently.
As with many illness, the earlier the diagnosis, the greater the quality of life.
There is not known cure for autism, but there are treatments for therapy.
Often therapist used patterns and schedules with children with autism.
If these schedules are not followed, the children may throw tantrums.
Other treatments can include speech and occupational therapy.
Chris Bond, director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) of Columbia County schools, and Robin Talley, ESE Program Coordinator, work with children in the school system who have disabilities on the autism spectrum.
“This can range from AS to very significant disabilities,” Bond said. “The services provided depend on the child’s needs.”
Treatment available may include speech and language therapy and help with social skills.
“We have a wonderful relationship with CARD in Gainesville,” she said. “We help parents contact CARD for services and assistance and our teacher can also receive training there.”
In the past, ESE participated in a series of workshops with CARD including parent nights with as many as 12 parents and teachers taking workshops on languages therapy and other strategies.
Dr. Greg Valcante, director of CARD in Gainesville, said that the center helps 42 adults and children in Columbia County.
“We help families find physicians and do screenings,” he said. “As the numbers of persons with autism increases, it should be noted that now we are more knowledgeable about the disorder.”
The most recommended treatments include educational and behavioral treatments.
“Some people with autism get medication while others may have more speech and language therapy,” he said. “It is generally a package of treatments.”
There is not known cause of autism, but there are different theories.
“A lot of people were concerned that immunization like the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) may have caused autism because of a preservative that was used that contained mercury,” Valcante said.
“However, that preservative was done away with several years ago and the numbers of people with autism has continued to grow.”
Valcante spoke of research pertaining the brain development issues on a cellular level, at a prenatal stage.
“The lack of these cells before a child is even born or immunized,” he said.
CARD in Gainesville provides support and help to individuals with autism and their families. All services are rendered free of charge.
CARD does not provide diagnosis evaluations, but assists in the research for a qualified professionals.
For more information on CARD, please visit http://card.ufl.edu
–Ashley Cisneros
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Ashley Cisneros is a co-founder of Chatter Buzz Media, an Orlando Internet marketing firm that helps companies and organizations engage with their target markets through inbound marketing via the Internet. Chatter Buzz Media, which won the Social Madness competition for the Orlando small business market, is a full-service digital marketing firm specializing in website design, search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing and content creation. Prior to founding Chatter Buzz, Ashley worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, technical writer, marketing manager, public relations practitioner and freelance journalist. To see Ashley’s content writing, visit www.ashleycisneros.com. You can also reach Ashley on her Google profile.
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