For children ages 0 to 3 years old - La Noticia

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The story of little Isaac
Diego Barahona A.
Isaac was a child who barely spoke and had few friends. Very often he was so distracted
that he completely forgot to eat. Despite the obstacles he faced, little Isaac soon excelled
as a student. Years later he developed complex mathematical calculations, described the
law of universal gravitation, and laid the foundations of classical physics; his name was
Isaac Newton.
Autism did not prevent this misunderstood child from becoming one of the greatest
geniuses in history, and this is not an isolated case.
Many historians point out that, like Newton, famous people such as Nikola Tesla
(inventor), renowned artist Michelangelo (the most prominent figure of the Renaissance)
and Hans Christian Andersen (author of classic tales like “The Ugly Duckling” and “The
Little Mermaid”), had some degree of autism.
History shows us that oftentimes sensory processing disorders, such as autism or
Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, should not be considered impediments. The
love of family, the patience of parents and the help of professionals can bring out the best
in our children.
Serving children 0-5 years
old and their families
www.ncsmartstart.org
www.ncsmartstartofmeck.org
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Autism
causes and
treatments
Autism is linked to biological and chemical abnormalities in the brain, whose exact causes are unknown.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that autism affects boys
more often than girls.
Vaccines
Some people believe that a small amount of mercury (called
thimerosal) that is a common preservative in multi-dose vaccines
causes autism or hyperactivity disorders. However, studies have not
proven this risk.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of
Medicine (IOM) ensure that no vaccine or component of any
vaccine is responsible for the number of children currently
being diagnosed with autism. They conclude that the benefits
of vaccines outweigh the risks.
Treatments
Early, appropriate and intensive intervention greatly
improves the outcome of most young children with autism.
Treatment is most successful when it takes into account the
particular needs of the child. An experienced specialist or
team should design an individualized program for the child.
A good treatment plan may use a combination of
techniques including: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA),
medication, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech
therapy.
Diet
According to certain studies, some children with autism appear to
respond to a diet free of gluten and casein. Gluten is found in foods
containing wheat, rye and barley, while casein is found in milk,
cheese and other dairy products. However, not all experts agree
that dietary changes make a difference and not all studies on
this method have shown positive results.
If a person is thinking about these or other changes in diet,
it is good to talk with a medical specialist and with a
registered dietitian.
Other Recommendations
If your child has autism, it can be helpful to talk to
other parents of autistic children and to experts in
autism. Keep up to date with autism research, which is
developing rapidly.
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Some signs and
symptoms of autism
Most parents of autistic children begin to suspect
that something is wrong when the child is between 18
and 24 months old. Some children with autism appear
to behave normally up to one or two years old and then
suddenly ‘regress’ and lose language or social skills
they had previously acquired. This is referred to as
regressive autism.
Signs
According to the Autism Society, children with
autism may have many of signs or symptoms that can
range from mild to severe. In addition, the behavior
usually occurs in many different situations and is
unusual for children of that age.
Communication Problems
• Cannot start or maintain a social conversation
• Finds it difficult to express needs, and uses
gestures or points to objects instead of using words
• Develops language slowly or not at all
• Does not turn to see objects that others are
looking at
• Does not point to objects to get others’ attention
(occurs in the first 14 months)
• Repeats words or memorizes phrases, such as
commercials
• Doesn’t respond to normal teaching methods
Social Interaction
• Has difficulty working with other children
• Does not participate in interactive games
• May not respond to eye contact or smiles, or may
avoid eye contact
• Is withdrawn, prefers to be alone, and is very
reserved
• Shows a lack of empathy
Response to stimuli
• Is not startled by loud noises
• Does not respond to verbal cues and acts as if he/she didn’t hear them
• Normal noises may seem loud, so the child puts hands over his/her ears
• May avoid physical contact and may not want to be hugged
Play
• Does not imitate other peoples’ actions
• Prefers solitary or ritualistic play
• Shows little pretend or imaginative play
Behavior
• Throws tantrums, shows anxiety for no apparent reason, and may express
himself/herself with anger
• Focuses on a single topic or task
• Has a short attention span
• Has very narrow interests such as an unusual attachment to objects
• Has behavior that may go to extremes, from hyperactive to overly
passive
• Has a strong need for routine and experiences unusual distress
when routines are changed
• Uses repetitive body movements
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Is my child hyperactive?
Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD) is one of the most common childhood
disorders. It is normal for children to
sometimes have a hard time concentrating
and to not behave well, but children with
ADHD may have impulsive behavior (acting
without thinking about the consequences) that
can lead to problems in school, at home, or
with other children.
Signs and symptoms
• Has a hard time paying attention
• Doesn’t seem to listen to others
• Is easily distracted when doing homework or playing
• Is forgetful
• Constantly walks back and forth or is unable
to stay seated
• Moves all the time and does not stand still
• Talks too much and acts without thinking
• Has major difficulty waiting his/her turn
• Interrupts others
Diagnosis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), the process for determining whether
a child has Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
requires various steps, as there is no single test to
diagnose this disorder. It is necessary to consult a
specialist.
Health professionals must rule out other problems
such as anxiety, depression and certain types of learning
disabilities that may have similar symptoms.
Treatments
There is no single best treatment for children with
ADHD. A good treatment plan includes close
monitoring, and a combination of medication and
behavioral therapy.
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How do I know if my
child has a Sensory
Processing Disorder?
The way the brain receives, combines and processes
information from our five senses in order to adapt
responses to environmental stimuli is known as Sensory
Processing (or Integration). A Sensory Processing
Disorder is, therefore, the brain’s inability to organize,
process, and integrate the information it receives from
the senses.
Sensory processing problems are usually the most
common cause of slow learning and misbehavior in
children. These problems tend to go unnoticed by
people who are not trained to detect them.
Signs and symptoms
Below are some of the signs and symptoms that may
suggest the existence of a sensory processing problem.
However, in order to accurately determine the exact
pattern of dysfunction a professional should perform a
complete evaluation.
Distractibility
Children that are very frequently distracted cannot
process multiple stimuli at the same time. Distractibility
can be a major obstacle when they begin school.
Behavior problems
Children are fussy and do not enjoy playing or
spending time with family. They are easily frustrated
because, in addition to facing daily obstacles from their
disorder, they must deal with the demands of their
parents and teachers, with refusals and punishments for
their actions and reactions.
Delays in speech and language
Speech and language depend on many sensory
integration processes. It is generally considered normal
for a child’s first words to occur between 12 and 18
months old, and for word combinations to appear
around age two. Language skills should be fully
developed around 5 years old.
Problems with muscle tone
Some children with sensory processing problems are
characterized by low muscle tone that makes them look
weak. These children have great difficulty staying seated
and upright. They often rest their head on their hand
when they are sitting or lean against a wall since
standing is very difficult for them.
Coordination problems
Generally children with sensory processing difficulties
have trouble perceiving the area around them, so they
often run into other people or things. When children
cannot assemble building blocks, manipulate dolls and
action figures, or put together puzzles normally, it is
usually due to sensory processing problems.
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Resources and assistance
Autism Services of Mecklenburg County, Inc.
ASMC is a private, non-profit organization that offers support services for people with autism.
Charlotte office
2211-A Executive Street. Charlotte, NC 28208
Telephone: 704-392-9220 Fax: 704-392-9221 • E-mail: [email protected]
The Autism Society of North Carolina
The Autism Society of North Carolina is an organization that provides support and promotes opportunities that
improve the quality of life of people with autism and their families.
Telephone numbers:
Toll free: 1-800-442-2762 • Local: 704-894-9678 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
www.autismsociety-nc.org
United Way Information and Referral Services
This service provides comprehensive information and helps with referrals to non-profit and government
resources in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union and Anson counties. If calling from a landline or residential
phone in one of these counties, dial 2-1-1. If calling from a cell phone, dial 866-744-7778.
It is recommended that you call on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for non-emergency
questions.
More information
To access information about autism in Spanish,
visit
www.autism-society.org/espanol
For more information in Spanish about Attention
Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), visit
www.trastornohiperactividad.com
You can find more information about
Sensory Processing Disorders on the
webpage for the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention:
www.cdc.gov/spanish
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County has a new program:
Guiding Parents to Services (GPS)!
GPS is offered to families who are concerned that their child might have autism. Since the program is
offered through Smart Start, services are free to families with children 5 or younger who live in
Mecklenburg County. The goal of GPS is to help parents understand the impact of autism spectrum
disorders and to learn about the benefits of early intervention. GPS is available to parents of young
children who are suspected of having, or have recently been diagnosed with, an autism spectrum disorder
(ASD). GPS is designed to be the first stop for families seeking to access community resources, referrals,
information and support for ASD.
Dianne Alexander, Ph.D., is the GPS Coordinator. She will meet with parents to help them make sense of
their child’s unique style of processing the world and will guide parents as they make decisions about
services and treatment options. Spanish speaking families will need to bring a translator to meetings.
Please call Dianne at 704-943-9416 to schedule an appointment to talk to her in person.
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Books, books
Story hour
& more books...
Reading books teaches children how to behave in social situations, but in a
subtle way, without the child feeling judged. It also helps to develop language
skills and imagination.
Take advantage
of the readings at the public
libraries through
the program
Connections that Count.
Pepe the Chicken (El Pollo Pepe) For children ages 0 to 3 years old
Nick Denchfield
“Pepe the chicken…has a big belly.” So begins this funny
story that tells the adventures of a curious chicken, who is
very big because he eats so well. Later we realize that despite
his size, his mom is even bigger than he is.
Each page will make children jump with excitement and
laugh out loud. This book is one of the most valued by
parents of children up to three years old, and although it
doesn’t have many pages, it is fun for both young and old.
TIME AND PLACE:
TUESDAY
Scaleybark Library
10:30 a.m.
101 Scaleybark Road,
Charlotte NC 28209
Sugar Creek Library
12:30 p.m.
4045 North Tryon Street, Suite
A Charlotte NC 28206
Hickory Grove Library
4:30 p.m.
5935 Hickory Grove Road,
Charlotte NC 28215
Independence
Regional Library
11:30 a.m.
6000 Conference Drive,
Charlotte NC 28212
TM
Ventana Magica
is a publication produced
by La Noticia for
THURSDAY
University City Regional
11:30 a.m.
301 East W.T. Harris Blvd.
Charlotte NC 28262
Al servicio de niños de
0old and their families
FRIDAY
Coalición Latinoamericana
10:00 a.m.
4938 Central Ave. Suite 101
Charlotte, NC 28205
For more information visit
www.ncsmartstart.org
www.ncsmartstartofmeck.org
Publisher
Hilda H. Gurdián
Steele Creek Library
12:00 p.m.
13620 Steele Creek Road
Charlotte NC 28273
Writer
Diego Barahona A.
Translations
Kendal Walters
Art Director
María E. Benton
Graphic Design
Mario F. Castro
5936 Monroe Road
Charlotte, NC 28212
Tel: 704-568-6966
Fax: 704-568-8936
www.lanoticia.com
Email: [email protected]
Isabella Navas
Send us a photo of your son or daughter to be
published in this section. Please write the name of
the child and his age on the back of the picture.
Please send it to:
Mural de fotografía
Ventana Mágica
5936 Monroe Road
Charlotte, NC 28212
For more information call
Verónica Corral
704-416-0556
Reading aloud
to your children is one
of the most effective
ways to develop their
love for reading.