Overcoming my fear of Autism

When I was first out of high school ( 28 years ago) I worked at a day & residential center for Autistic children. This was my first exposure to the world of Autism and it was not a good experience. (Please keep in mind that this was 28 years ago and treatment for Autism has come a very long way.) I was hired mainly to help out in one of the residential group homes for teenage boys. The boys displayed the characteristics of what most people think of when they hear the word "Autism"... they would be in corners or sitting on the furniture doing a lot of flapping, no eye contact, no words, lots of grunting and sounds and totally unaware of their environment for the most part. It was our job to make sure they stayed dressed, ate/drank, and didn't hurt one another. We didn't do any training or try and help them break out of the world they were in. We led them around to stores and through planned activities but all we did was "lead". If they didn't want to participate we didn't force them. Many times "fights" broke out because of their inability to communicate to us their wants and needs. It broke my heart to work there and I didn't last more then a month before I gave my notice.

From that day on I was scared of Autism. I did not know how anyone could work with kids who were on the spectrum. I remember taking the developmental classes in college and learning about the characteristics and new treatments for Autism. I knew I wanted to go into pediatrics and I was sure it was not going to be working with Autistic children. My first job was in a sensory clinic and I worked with children who had CP, MD, oral motor defensiveness and sensory defensiveness. I worked with children who had feeding problems and children who had body awareness problems... and I worked with two children who had Autism. It was because of them that I started to be less afraid and more open to wanting to learn more about Autism.

I began to read books and attend conferences. I spoke with other therapists and families who had children on the spectrum. I eventually left the clinic and began working in Birth-to-three and found myself often with at least 1/4 to 1/3 of my case load consisting of Autistic children. I will admit I was nervous at first because of my past experience but as I worked more within the Autism population I came to see that with each opportunity to work with an Autistic child and their family I learned new techniques to reach out to and connect with them. I have had children from both ends of the spectrum - those who I was not able to reach and the only help I could offer was techniques to help with their sensory seeking behaviors and those who made remarkable progress and were able to move into a preschool setting with the ability to have basic communication skills. There is nothing quite like having a child who is seemingly in their own world suddenly look to you, smile, and gently touch your cheek with their hand. Of course I have had just as many kiddos reach out and pull my hair *smile* but they still reached out.

I am always amazed at the strength of the families who have been blessed with an Autistic child. They have strength and patience and love beyond measure. I know it is not a path they had wanted to take and I have sat with many a parent and listened as they have asked themselves "why me" and I have watched and seen their faces when their little one suddenly makes a connection and is able to complete a task we have been working on with them. I have also been there to try and answer questions when suddenly a new treatment or a new procedure or a new diet is in the news. I am no longer afraid of working with children on the spectrum - I actually look forward to it. I look forward to learning new ways to treat and help. I look forward to the day when Autism is no longer 1-500.