| Burlington Free Press
More
and more lives are touched by autism
Published:
Monday, September 11, 2006
For many people, the word autism is
synonymous with lost hope. Memories of Dustin Hoffman in "Rainman"
and young nonverbal children have become the public image of this
disorder that is far more complex and common than one assumes.
While the cause and the cure remain elusive, each year more
Americans are diagnosed with the disorder. Symptoms include delayed
language skills, cognitive delays, repetitious body motions and
limited ability to understand social rules. Some people with autism
are able to lead fairly independent and productive lives. Others are
unable to master language skills or interact socially with others.
For two Vermonters, this territory is a well-traveled road. Bev
Frost, 64, of Sheffield has been fighting the system most of her
son's life. Although he didn't receive an official diagnosis of
autism until 37, he has a long history of special needs. Frost had
to leave Vermont to obtain services for her son and remains
frustrated about what she perceives as a lack of state support for
adults with autism. Although her son is a college graduate, he needs
vocational help and adult social skills training.
"I hope somehow that before I die my son can get the help he needs,"
Frost said. "I am scared because the state of Vermont seems to have
no interest in this group." Frost is one of the many seniors in
Vermont who deal with autism on a daily basic and worry that when
they die there will not be the support needed for their children.
Like most mothers of autistic children, Frost wonders what caused
her son to develop this disorder. "There has got to be a reason why
we have gone from one person in many thousands to one person in 166
with autism today. The answer is not just that we are diagnosing
more, but that these kids are the canaries in the cage and something
is giving them autism," she said.
For Betsy Stevens of Williston, autism is a way of life. This vital
grandmother remembers the number of doctor visits and evaluations
before her granddaughter was diagnosed. "It's hard to take when you
find out someone you love has autism," she said.
Autism affects all ages. Across Vermont, parents and grandparents
struggle to understand this disorder that manifests itself in so
many different ways. It is the fastest-growing serious developmental
disability in the United States; a new case is diagnosed every 20
minutes. Often, Vermont seniors are called upon to provide care and
supervision for children and grandchildren who walk a path filled
with hurdles and a string of small achievements.
The inaugural Northern New England Vermont Walk for Autism research
is scheduled for Oct. 1 in Burlington's Battery Park. The walk
starts at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Angela Timpone at
atimpone@adelphia.net or
238-1572.
Autism is a disorder that all Vermonters of every age group need to
be aware of and address. Autism Speaks is dedicated to funding
research, prevention, treatment and to finding a cure.
Sarah Lemnah writes on senior issues for the Champlain Valley Agency
on Aging, a private, nonprofit United Way organization. For more
information on services for seniors, call the Senior HelpLine at
(800) 642-5119.
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