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Show B6 Wednesday, April 13, 2005 .Vernal Express. kmmm Autism is a complex developmental devel-opmental disability that typically typi-cally appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism impacts the normal nor-mal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction inter-action and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties difficul-ties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions interac-tions and leisure or play activities. activi-ties. Autism is one of five disorders disor-ders coming under the umbrella umbrel-la of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized char-acterized by "severe and pervasive per-vasive impairment in several areas of development," including includ-ing social interaction and communications com-munications skills. The five disorders under PDD are Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Rett's Disorder, and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). (PDD-NOS). Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria as outlined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in its Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated estimat-ed 1 in 250 births. This means that as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And that number is on the rise. Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental govern-mental agencies, autism is growing at a rate of 10-17 percent per-cent per year. At these rates, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade. The overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, but is four times more prevalent in boys than girls. Autism knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries, and family fam-ily income, lifestyle, and educational edu-cational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence. While understanding of autism has grown tremendously tremendous-ly since it was first described by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943, most of the public, including many professionals in the medical, educational and vocational Chemical Sales for Noxious Weeds Participation up to 50 cost for chemicals is now available Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the County Weed Department 1483 East 335 South Vernal For more information, call 789-1073. Gelds, are still unaware of how autism affects people and how they can effectively work with individuals with autism. Contrary to popular understanding, under-standing, many children and adults with autism may make eye contact, show affection, smile and laugh, and demonstrate demon-strate a variety of other emotions, emo-tions, although in varying degrees. Like other children, they respond to their environment environ-ment in both positive and negative nega-tive ways. Autism is a spectrum disorder. disor-der. The symptoms and characteristics charac-teristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe. Although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults can exhibit any combination of the behaviors in any degree of severity. Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act very differently from one another and have varying skills. Parents may hear different terms used to describe children within this spectrum, such as autistic-like, autistic tendencies, tenden-cies, autism spectrum, high-functioning high-functioning or low-functioning autism, more-abled or less-abled. less-abled. More important than the term used is to understand that, whatever the diagnosis, children with autism can learn and function productively and show gains with appropriate education and treatment. Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality per-sonality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals individu-als mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. The person may have difficulty initiating andor maintaining a conversation. conver-sation. Communication is often described as talking at others (for example, monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments). People with autism process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, UNIVERSITY 1680 West Hwy 40 Vernal UT 84078 April 13, 2005 Dear Parents and Students of Uintah High School: Utah State University Uintah Basin is hosting a parent student evening at Uintah High School, Wednesday, April 13th at 6:00 pm in the Library in conjunction with ParentTeacher conference at the high school. The purpose of the meeting is to explain the concurrent program to parents and students as they look ahead to next year's schedule. Some 200 students are enrolled in concurrent classes offered by USU - UD which not only gives high school credit, but also credit towards a university degree. Sixteen Uintah High seniors this year will have received enough university credits to earn their Associate of Science degree in the upcoming USU - UB graduation. Individuals from USU-UB student services as well as high school counselors will be present to discuss the program and to answer any questions from parents and students. Light refreshments will be served. See you therel Sincerely, Utah State University Uintah Basin Student Services UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONEQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION EDUCATION YOU CAN USE TODAY. aggressive andor self-injurious behavior may be present Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits. Insistence on sameness; resistance to change Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures or pointing point-ing instead of words Repeating words or phrases phras-es in place of normal, responsive respon-sive language Laughing, crying, showing distress for reasons not apparent appar-ent to others Prefers to be alone; aloof manner Tantrums Difficulty in mixing with others May not want to cuddle or be cuddled Little or no eye contact Unresponsive to normal teaching methods Sustained odd play Spins objects Inappropriate attachments to objects Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain No real fears of danger Noticeable physical overactivity over-activity or extreme underactivity under-activity v Uneven grossfine motor skills Not responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf although hearing tests in normal range For most of us, the integration integra-tion of our senses helps us to understand what we are experiencing. experi-encing. For example, our senses of touch, smell and taste work together in the experience of eating a ripe peach: the feel of the peach fuzz as we pick it up, its sweet smell as we bring it to our mouth and the juices running run-ning down our face as we take a bite. For children with autism, sensory integration problems are common. Their senses may be over-or under-active. The fuzz on the peach may actually be experienced as painful; the smell may make the child gag. Some children with autism are particularly sensitive to sound, finding even the most ordinary daily noises painful. Many pro fessionals feel that some of the typical autism behaviors are actually a result of sensory integration difficulties. There are many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to popular belief, many autistic children do make eye contact; it just may be less or different from a non-autistic non-autistic child. Many children with autism can develop good functional language and others can develop some type of communication com-munication skills, such as sign language or use of pictures. Children do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may lessen less-en as the child develops and receives treatment One of the most devastating myths about autistic children is that they cannot show affection. affec-tion. While sensory stimulation stimula-tion is processed differently in some children with autism, they can and do give affection. But it may require patience on a parent's part to accept and give love in the child's terms. The main purpose of Autism Awareness Month is just that to bring awareness. 8$ y ) Pet of the Week A six-month-old, full male Blue Heeler would make a hard working addition to a local cattle ranch. The little fellow is full of energy and responds in a friendly manner to human contact. He would also be a great pet in a home without small children. The animal shelter has a 30-day, no fee fostering program which will help adopting families determine if they wish to keep the pet permanently. Donations of money and pet food are always welcome. wel-come. Animals at the shelter can now be viewed online. Go to Petfinder. com to find up-to-date picture of animals who need good homes. A link can also be found at vernalcity.org. If you wish to foster or adopt on of these or another animal, or if your pet is missing, please call the shelter at 781-7297 or visit them at 1387 L 335 S. PUBLIC HEARING AND BOARD MEETING Uintah Health Care Special Service District will be holding its Board Meeting at Uintah Care Center in the Adult Day Center room at 5:00 p.m. A special public hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the same location to discuss a potential private pay rate increase of 4.55 on or about June 1, 2005 to cover increased costs. If special accommodations are required to attend please contact the Administrator at Uintah Care Center before the meeting. This months Public Board Meeting will be held on April 20, 2005. Published in the Vernal Express on April 13, 2005 and April 20, 2005. |