Autism Awareness

What is Autism? Autism is a developmental disability that severely hinders the way information is gathered and processed by the brain, causing problems in communication, learning and social behavior. It typically appears during the child's first three years, occurs in roughly 15 to 20 of every 10,000 births and is four times more common in males than females. People with autism live normal life spans and some of the behavior associated with it may change or disappear over time. Autism has been found thoughout the world in families of all racial, ethnic and social backgrounds. What causes autism? Although no one specific cause of autism is known, current researches link autism to biological or neurological differences in the brain. The severely incapacitating symptoms are caused by physical disorders of the brain. In some families there appears to be a pattern of autism or related disabilities which suggest there may be genetic basis to the disorder, although at this time no one gene has been directly linked to autism. No known factors in the psychological environment of a child have been shown to cause autism. What are the symptoms? The following areas are among those which may be affected by autism: Communication. Language develops slowly or not at all; use of words without attaching the usual meaning to them; gestures used intead of words; short attention span. Social Interaction. The person with autism may spend time alone rather than with others; show little interest in making friends; less responsive to social cues such as eye contact or smiles. Sensory Impairment. Unusual reactions to physical sensations such as being overly sensitive to touch or under responsive to pain; sight, hearing, touch, pain, smell, taste may be affected to a lesser or greater degree. Play. Lack of spontaneous or imaginative play; does not imitate others' actions; does not initiate pretend games. Behaviors. May be overactive or very passive; throw frequent tantrums for no apparent reason; may perservere on one single item, idea or person; apparent lack of common sense; may show aggressive or violent behavior or injure self.

Infantile Autism Diagnosis Accurate diagnosis of autism may be difficult because the characteristics of this disorder may resemble those of mental retardation, severe reactive disturbances, or deafness. The following checklist of 14 behavioral signs and symptoms can aid the physician in reaching his diagnosis. Although no single item is significant alone, if a child exhibits 7 or more of these traits, a diagnosis of autism should be seriously considered. Although normal children - or abnormal children who are not autistic - may behave in any of these ways, autistic children exhibit seven or more of these traits, and their abnormal behavior is constant and inappropriate for their age. This checklist is only one diagnostic tool for use when considering a possible case of autism. The patient should also be given thorough medical, developmental and intelligence tests. The taking of social history is also vital to provide the full information needed for a conclusive diagnosis. Angels sent from God Unveiling themselves to the world To unite us all Influencing hearts, minds & souls Spreading compassion, love and understanding Making a difference in this misguided world   Schools & other Resources Behavioral Management for Autistic Children Foundation, Inc.  Rm. 313 Medical Towers Makati  Herrera cor. De La Rosa Street  Legaspi Village, Makati City  Phone: (63-2)-898-9220 Cahbriba Autism CenterMt. Pulog St., Los Baños Subdivision (formerly Umali Subdivision) Los Baños, Laguna 4009 Philippines Phone: (63-49)-536-0186, 536-1298 Center for Autism and Related Disorders  A898 Palace Road. , BF Homes Las Piñas City, Philippines Phone: (63-2)-820-8719 Fax: (63-2)-825-0058 CEFIL, Asia (Center for Integrated Learning)  15 Sulu St., Nayong Kanluran Quezon City, Philippines  Phone: (63-2)-413-0780 Fax: (63-2)-413-9728 Center for Speech and Language Intervention, Co.  2/F AM Building 28 Quezon Avenue Quezon City, Philippines Phone: (63-2)-410-1525 Child Development Consultants  Unit 52, 2/F Villa Ortigas II Granada cor. Santolan Rds., Brgy. Valencia Quezon City, Philippines 1100 Phone: (63-2)-413-4611 Fax: (63-2)-413-4613 Child's Inn Co.#15 Unit 17 Potential Townhomes 15th Ave., Cubao, Quezon City Contact Person: Ms. Clarette C. Canoy Phone: (63-2)-911-0360 / (63-2)-868-8772 Celphone: (63-917)-365-8486 / (63-919)-751-1383 EMail: childs_inn_co@yahoo.com  Child's Inn Co. (Satellite Branch) 157 Pinagkrusan, Alitagtag Batangas Phone: (63-43)-772-0239 CommuniCare Therapy Center for Children, Inc. 125 Tropical Avenue BF Homes, Las Piñas City Phone: (63-2)-826-2206 Celphone: (63-917)-536-8264 EMail: communicare_tcc@yahoo.com  De Novo SPED School Damar Loop Street, Immaculate Conception Parish Church Damar Village, Sgt. Rivera St., Quezon City, Philippines Phone: (63-2)-364-9517 Divine Angels Educational Center for Exceptional & Methodical Learners, Inc.  Blk. 14 Lot 9 Camia St., corner Daisy St., Garden Ville Subdivision PagAsa II, Imus, Cavite, Philippines Phone: (63-[0]-918)-910-6837 [Smart Cell Phone] Emmanuel Center for Special Children  Quezon Street  Iloilo City 5000 Philippines  Phone: (63-33)-336-9752 Fax: (63-33)-336-9753 Francis Xavier M. Dimalanta, MD Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics St. Luke's Medical Center 279 E. Rodriguez Sr. Blvd., Quezon City 1102 Philippines Phone (63-2)-723-1088 Foundation for Children's Education, Inc.  808 E. Quirino Avenue Villa Ver Compound Tambo, Parañaque City Phone: (63-2)-551-7623 Kiddie Corner195 Batanes St. Galas, Quezon City Phone: (63-[0]-917-742-1414) [Globe Cell Phone] EMail: bebabes_cli@yahoo.com  Learning Partners School, Inc. http://www.lpsi.org   189 Pilar Street, Addition Hills San Juan, Metro Manila Phone: (63-2)-725-7610 EMail: info@lpsi.org   New Hope Special Education Center14 Kasing-kasing St. 1102 Kamias, Quezon City Phone/Fax: (63-2)-921-8758 Email: newhopesped_center@yahoo.com  New Horizons Center For the Developmentally Disabled, Inc.4 Justice Arellano Street Industrial Valley Subdivision, Marikina Phone: (63-2)-681-5739 St. Catherine Special Learning Center  Phase I, Bankers Village III Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines Phone: (63-2)-650-3176 Stepping Stone Learning Center http://www.leather-collection.com/dchfi  MRCFI Bldg., Camia Street Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City, Philippines EMail: sstone@i-manila.com.ph | stepping.stone@usa.net The Learning Center Inc.  134 Carmelite Street Merville Park Subd. Parañaque City, Philippines Phone: (63-2)-824-9962, (63-2)-824-9964