Children with autism most certainly feel emotions
True or False: People with ASD (autism spectrum disorders) cannot express their love for other people or themselves. Almost all individuals with ASD are unable to experience love. The answer is, of course, false. Sadly, several years ago these two statements were not unusual comments from some in the professional community and even from some family members who had children with ASD. Fortunately, the medical community dispelled this myth. In fact, individuals with ASD were able to eliminate this falsehood directly themselves. However, it is true that some of the most severe cases of ASD do have difficulty expressing how they feel towards others.
During the 1990’s, when the teacher began to work with several students with autism, she remembered a colleague trying to warn her about children with ASD. The teacher’s coworker commented that most children with autism will probably never remember you. He said that these "type" of children were not able to let you know if you were important to them or not. She thought it was a strange remark at the time. Over the years, she discovered that his statement was far from the truth. In fact, most of the children with ASD who were unable to talk, could still speak through their actions. The children remembered who you were and would show their feelings, whether positive or negative.
The teacher remembered one boy in particular. This special child initially came into the classroom unable to communicate either by pictures or verbally. Johnny knew how to do puzzles though. He could put anything together. Could he put pictures to words? The teacher first needed to discover what the boy liked. It didn’t take long to learn that Johnny loved gummy bears, especially the red ones. Over time, the boy did learn how to talk with pictures. Eventually Johnny was even able to say some simple phrases. You also knew that the boy loved his family deeply. He would put happy faces with his sister’s picture or by her name. Johnny learned how to read the words mother and father, too. When his big sister came into the room, the boy’s eyes lit up. He became very excited seeing her and eventually learned to say her name. Johnny loved his sister very much, and of course, his mother and father, too.
Time and time again that same scenario happened with the other children in the classroom, too. Over the years, different levels of ASD were in the room. It was clear that these very special children were quite capable of expressing love and being loved. In fact, when Johnny grew older, he spotted the teacher and ran up to her. The boy wanted her to know that he could still talk. Johnny definitely remembered his teacher from when he was little. "Helloooo!" Johnny said with his eyes wide open. Johnny was at the theatre during the annual Christmas event for special needs children. The teacher and her staff loved this particular time of year. It was the one day when they could track down past students to see how they were doing. And yes, most of these past students remembered the teacher and her staff. You could tell by the wonderful expression on their faces when the adults walked up to the children or in some cases when the students like Johnny ran up to them.
There is still so much to learn about autism spectrum disorders. Continuing to eliminate myths is important so that these individuals will have the opportunity to reach their full potential. There are many websites to learn more on autism such as Autism Speaks, Autism Society and The Autism Research Foundation along with of course www.cdc.gov/autism the Center for Disease Control information site.
In addition, last week’s column on inoculations generated a few questions from some of the readers. The answer on whether to vaccinate or not to vaccinate and when to vaccinate is not an easy decision for everyone. Know your child and learn about the vaccines. For example, does your child need a Hepatitis B shot at birth or should he wait? (Hepatitis B is acquired from sexually transmitted diseases and by contaminated blood). Whooping cough is a dangerous disease for an infant and can lead to death. Should you wait? Talk to your doctor and learn about the vaccination schedule. Some parents are adamant not to have their children vaccinated until the sensory perception area of the child’s brain is developed more fully. Some doctors may recommend that the vaccination schedule be slowed down to address a specific need of the child or concern of the family. However, never vaccinating your child can put him and other children at risk. How and when you vaccinate your child is a personal decision between you, your child and your doctor.
Pamela Gross Downing, a special education teacher, can be reached at downpamg@aol.com.
