"No mom, he's not autistic or anything. He just has an anger management problem."
That was the beginning of a conversation I had with my son a couple of years ago. Thanks to the openness of a couple of families who had had children in his class, he seemed to have a moderately good grasp (for an elementary school student) of what autism is, and what Down Syndrome is. Anger management? That was different entirely (and it was probably more disruptive to the class too).
I don't have a very sophisticated understanding of autism, although I do have increased interest now that a close relative has been evaluated and found to be "on the autism spectrum." Nationally, special education services are mandated, but they are undoubtedly better in some districts--and some states--than others. Friends of mine who have moved from California and Massachusetts tell me that special education services which are standard there are hard to come by here. And parents of children with special needs who have some control over their destiny (e.g., middle and upper class people) will choose their school districts based on the special education services available.
When we talk about autism, a few things are clear. Autism treatments have been subject to a lot of controversy. The autistic spectrum covers a wide range of behaviors and actions. And the prevalence of autism seems to be going up--whether that is because of better diagnoses, or an actual increase, I don't know.
In any case, I thought it would be good to write about some local resources. I have no personal experience with them.
First, for several months I have had on the right-hand sidebar a link to a Child Psychology Research Blog. In fact, I linked to it in this post for an article on the prevalence of autism, as well as the links for autism and autism treatments. What I value about this blog is the way that the author(s) explain(s) scientific findings in easy-to-understand language. Well, it turns out that Dr. Nestor Lopez-Duran has recently moved to Ann Arbor--and that despite the very large number of entries around autism and autism causes and treatment, his own research is on mood disorders in children and adolescents. Side note: If you find a notice that he is speaking locally, he'll probably be worth going to hear.
Second, Eastern Michigan University is opening an Autism Collaborative Center. It is opening in the former Fletcher School Building (in case you wonder whether, or how, closed school buildings can be repurposed--here is one positive example). You can find more information at www.accemu.org.
Third, the University of Michigan has a well-established Autism and Communication Disorders Center. You can find more information about them at www.umaccweb.com.
Here is another resource:
ReplyDeletePreschool and Communication Therapy Program (PACT) runs November 2 - December 17th. PACT is a six-week, structured language program for young children ages 18 - 36 months, who have a language delay or disorder. The program runs Monday - Thursday from 9 -11:30am and we limit the program to six children. One parent or caregiver must attend everyday, as observation and a parent education series are key components of this program. Although we are currently low on scholarship funds, we will have some support available. We currently have several openings for this next session.
University Center for the Development of Language and Literacy
1111 East Catherine Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734-764-8440
www.languageexperts.org
It doesn't follow if someone is on the autism spectrum they have an anger management problem, though these individuals can have trouble emotional regulation. Usually what happens, and even more so now, that lots of school and professionals and parents are armed with a little bit of knowledge, a child with communication problems, gets their short term needs met through problem behavior. This whole dynamic becomes esconced, and soon you have a kid that uses their anger to manage their environment, and school and home are bending over backward and the problems increases.
ReplyDeleteBaseline special needs services are extremely poor in this state and AAPS, is probably one of the best in the state, and it still isn't much good either.
There is no ownership of the problem really,and there is a lot of bad information out there now, we are way behind other parts of the country. truly a pity.
I'm sorry if my introduction was confusing. My child was clearly saying that the child in his class was NOT autistic. I chose to write about autism because I think people are interested in the local autism resources.
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