The Etownian >> News
Autism awareness seminar to be held
Thursday November 19 2009
Imagine for a second that you are devoid of all your communication skills and that the slightest touch, loud noise or bright light would make you so uncomfortable that you would have to scream out loud. As a child, you don’t want to participate in average childhood games like peek-a-boo and are unable to communicate with other children your own age.
At times your outbursts require you to be restrained by a teacher or other adult, many of whom do not understand your behavior.
These are all symptoms that some children with autism have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.
Autism is a communication disorder that is very broad, meaning that a child could have low-functioning or high-functioning autism.
Each case varies significantly, and no two cases are exactly the same.
Some doctors say the disorder is inherited; the National Institute of Neurological Disorders says that there is a “genetic disposition” to autism.
The disability disrupts normal brain function; this organ is one of the most complex in the human body.
To spread awareness and to help future teachers and other students who want to work with people who have autism, the Elizabethtown College club LINK will sponsor a training program on how to communicate with people who have autism Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Hoover 212.
LINK works to spread more knowledge of the disability. It is a mentoring program that helps children on the autism spectrum. Members of the club meet with children who range from ages 1 to 15 for at least four hours every month.
“We are hoping to start a social skills group in the near future for older individuals with autism [ages 16 to 22]. We also hope to spread autism awareness on the Elizabethtown College campus,” senior and club president Leighanne Spitzer said.
Spitzer’s brother has a developmental disability which contributes to her ever-increasing passion to help children with autism.
At this month’s training, both verbal and nonverbal communication will be discussed. Many experts say the best way to improve the communication skills of a child with autism is to use lots of visuals to strengthen his or her vocabulary.
The training is sponsored by Youth Advocate Programs. At the last session, a teen who had been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome came and spoke to the group.
“Most members said this was one of the most beneficial parts of the presentation,” Spitzer said.
“I hope that students will get useful information and tips to bring out into their occupations after graduation or even during fieldwork. This training is also great because it is right before most of us start fieldwork, allowing us to bring what we learned to practice,” junior Felicia Bonvicino, who works at a special needs camp over the summer, said.
Autism has become a mainstream part of our society, perhaps because more and more children are diagnosed with it every year.
Jenny McCarthy, famed former Playboy model and MTV star, is speaking out about autism and releasing her fifth book, “Healing and Preventing Autism,” which is co-authored by autism specialist Dr. Jerry Kartzinel.
With her book, she is looking to make parents more aware of the vaccinations that their children are receiving at birth.
Vaccinations are another possible cause of autism that many parents are beginning to question.
“I'm not saying it's only the vaccines, but children are given so many shots from the moment they're born. They get multiple injections all at once, and if they fall behind, doctors put them on a catch-up schedule,” McCarthy told TIME magazine.
Autism is still unfortunately a disorder about which little is known.
There is no known way to cure autism, but parents can do their best to find therapy and help for these youngsters.
Teachers, parents, psychologists, and even working adults can be trained to learn how to assist children with the disorder.
At Etown, our motto states, “Educate for Service.” By attending the autism training, students are able to gain a wider understanding so that they are able to go out and help others.
Spitzer said, “If we, as educators, as therapists and even as citizens learn how to communicate effectively with children and adults with autism, we will be much more likely to help them live in this society, as well as to help them be heard.”
The Etownian >> News