By Chloe Maghinang, SLP Trainee
During my first clinical placement as a graduate student clinician, I worked with pediatric clients who were seen secondary to concerns for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Walking into my first day, I was well-equipped with textbook knowledge on typical language development and ASD. What I was not prepared for, however, was answering families’ questions and addressing their concerns. Some were given different recommendations from various healthcare professionals that conflicted with what my supervising speech-language pathologist and I were recommending. Some expressed concerns that their child’s recent vaccines or exposure to multiple languages caused their communication difficulties. Some had no idea what resources were available or where to start. What all families had in common, however, was that their concerns stemmed from wanting to help their child and how they can support their child’s success now and in the future.
I was struck by the information parents and caregivers were receiving– or, the lack thereof– regarding ASD and neurodevelopmental disabilities, and I resonated with their concern and confusion. This uncertainty is felt in the general population; a study by John and colleagues (2018) found that people with varying experience and knowledge of ASD still subscribe to inaccurate beliefs of ASD, such as that all people with ASD are dangerous or mad. However, they are still willing to reflect and adapt their views. Their findings suggest that identifying myths and views surrounding ASD will help improve lay understandings of ASD. With this goal in mind, I would like to address the most frequent concerns I have encountered from parents and caregivers of children with ASD.
“What signs of ASD should I be looking for?”
○ The earliest signs of ASD include avoiding or not keeping eye contact, not responding to their name, and not engaging in other activities of interest with others. Children with ASD may also get upset when order is changed or during transitions in routine, repeat words over and over (called echolalia), or become fixated on certain parts of toys, like the wheels on a car. These signs can occur as early as one to two years old (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022).
“Why does my child have autism?”
○ There is no known single cause of ASD. Both genetics and environment may play a role. Extensive research shows no reliable link between vaccines and autism (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Moreover, there is no evidence to suggest that bilingual exposure negatively affects developmental outcomes for children with ASD. In fact, bilingual children show advantages in language outcomes compared to their monolingual peers (Wang et al., 2018).
“What resources are available for me?”
○ For those looking to support their child as they transition to school, the Illinois State Board of Education provides a comprehensive guide of special education services, laws, and other resources at their website (https://www.isbe.net). For more local resources, the AARTS Center at Rush as well as the Autism Clinic and TAP Training Center through UIC are great resources for families of children with ASD. One resource I like to recommend to all parents and caregivers is Teach Me to Talk (https://teachmetotalk.com), which provides great videos and resources for parents who are looking to support communication for their child with ASD at home. Though this list is not exhaustive, these provide a great place to start.
Clearly, I have not touched on all the possible questions and concerns that families may have regarding supporting their child with ASD. However, I hope that with this information and tools in hand, parents and caregivers feel more empowered to cultivate success and advocate for their child with ASD.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, March 28). Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html
John, R. P., Knott, F. J., & Harvey, K. N. (2018). Myths about autism: An exploratory study using focus groups. Autism, 22(7), 845–854. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317714990
Mayo Clinic. (2018, January 6). Autism spectrum disorder. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928
Wang, M., Jegathesan, T., Young, E., Huber, J., & Minhas, R. (2018). Raising children with autism spectrum disorders in monolingual vs bilingual homes: A scoping review. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 39(5), 434–446. https://doi.org/10.1097/dbp.0000000000000574
