This is a two-part piece exploring autism, treatment options and steps to take after diagnosis.

ALTHOUGH she had an inkling that her son, Quinn Garren James Smith, could be autistic, Maia Chung kept denying it.

As a student at the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC), Chung chose to explore autism for her research paper. Years later she saw similarities in Quinn’s behavioural patterns with signs of autism. But like most of us, it is easier to deal with a non-prescribed diagnosis than the prescribed.

Chung first saw these signs when Quinn was 12 months old, but the visit to the general practitioner didn’t come until he was three years old. Although he did not utter a word, both Chung and her husband sat in the doctors’ office, hoping to hear “not autistic”. Unfortunately, the inevitable autistic spectrum disorder was the diagnosis.

Rising to the challenge, Chung shared, “We didn’t feel any way. As a matter of fact, years later that same doctor told me how impressed and surprised she was by our positive reaction to the diagnosis, as we were the first couple to ever respond in that manner.”

However, many questions consumed them. Seemingly not present were other cases of autistic children in Jamaica at that time. But, after thorough research, they found out that the disorder has been around from as early as before her parents’ generation.

Signs

At first glance, it is evident that the autistic child is okay physically. But the temper tantrums, lack of social communication and interaction, speech and language skills, ritualistic or stereotypical behavioural patterns are what Kelly-Ann Brown, school psychologist at the McCam Child Care and Development Centre, attributes to autism.

“Autism is a spectrum disorder which means symptoms range from mild to severe,” said Brown. “It is a developmental disorder that can be diagnosed as early as 18 months to two years of age”.

Although this disorder affects mostly boys, Dr Andrea Garbutt, developmental paediatrician at Kiddie Care Paediatricians, cautions parents to refrain from believing the common myths associated with the disorder.

“He’s not talking yet because he is a boy. He is not talking yet because his cousins didn’t until late or let’s just watch and see what happens,” Dr Garbutt says are some of the reasons given for a delayed visit to the doctor.

Like Quinn, Garbutt explains, “Language delay is a common sign of an autistic child. When the language doesn’t develop as expected, parents should set a doctor’s appointment.

“By nine months, a child should be able to respond to their name. By one year, a child should be able to say mama, dada, along with a few other words and by two years old, should be able to string two words together and have an interest to pretend play with friends,” Dr Garbutt continued.

Dr Brown also said, “An autistic child has challenges with understanding abstract language – be precise and clear when communicating with them. Social impairments such as understanding emotions, repetitive flapping of their hands, (always) doing things in the same manner, and (being) highly resistant to change are other common signs to look out for.”

However, what causes autism is not yet known.

“That’s the million-dollar question, nobody knows the exact cause,” Dr Garbutt said.