Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/81077
2B Daily News – Friday, August 31, 2012 Range of behaviors can indicate autism TOR K: I've read that early treatment of autism can make a big difference. But what are the early signs of autism? DEAR READ- DEAR DOC- ER: You're right — my colleagues who are experts in autism say that early recog- nition and treatment really can help. Dr. K by Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. Autism (also called autism spectrum disorder, or ASD) is a developmental disorder of the brain. Kids and adults with autism have problems communicating and interacting socially. They also may have unusual behavior patterns, interests and activities. Symptoms range from mild to severe. Autism symptoms are usual- ly apparent by the time a child is 2 or 3 years old. What should you look out for? Children with autism may not show signs of it during their first year. Those who do may not hit typical developmental mile- stones on schedule. For example, they may not smile at the sound of their mother's voice, point out objects to catch someone's attention or maintain eye contact. And they may respond negatively to being touched or cuddled. Behaviors become more apparent in toddlers and young children. For exam- ple: — Disordered play. A toddler with autism usually prefers to play alone and is unlikely to engage in make- believe play. He or she may spend hours repeatedly lay- ing out objects in lines or concentrating on one object or topic. Any attempt to divert the child can provoke an emotional outburst. — Disordered speech. A child with autism may not speak much or may remain silent. When the child does speak, the words may echo someone else's words. Speech pat- terns may be unusu- al. — Abnormal behaviors. Children with autism may develop obsessive routines. They may become intensely preoccupied with some- thing. They may become hyperactive, aggressive, destructive or impulsive, or intentionally injure them- selves. If you observe any of these behaviors, contact your child's pediatrician. Symp- toms can improve with intense treatment. Treatment should include some combi- nation of education, behav- ioral management, medica- tion, speech and language therapy, social skills and life- skills training. siveness, lack of joy. Chil- dren with autism express few emotions other than anger with much frequency. They don't appear to be joy- ful even when they are doing something they are clearly interested in — not even if they are given something they love, like a coveted toy. They often don't show affec- tion to members of their family. — Absence of expres- with autism may repeat the same phrase or a particular motion. He or she may sit and rock back and forth, lick objects repeatedly, become fascinated by objects like the swinging pendulum of a grandfather clock, or certain lights, or the flame on a gas burner. behaviors. A child — Repetitive FEATURES Retired parents leading unhappy lives Dear Annie: We are three daughters who need help. Our parents' home seems unhappy and full of bitterness. Mom and Dad have been married for 59 years, but Mom doesn't seem to enjoy life. Dad is not perfect, but we really don't know their past per- sonal stories and relation- ship. They seem to have led separate lives: Mom at home with six kids to raise, and Dad working long hours at his business. Since Dad's retirement, they Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar have settled into a routine of doctor appointments and staying home. Dad no longer wants to do anything, because Mom is constantly telling him that he doesn't do things cor- rectly. He embarrasses her. Dad has no interest in going places due to his health issues, and Mom doesn't want him driving much or staying home alone. The constant nagging has created an unhealthy environment. It is dif- ficult to visit because we don't like to see and hear them like this. We have sat down with them to discuss the situation and offered sugges- tions, but there has been neither change nor resolution. Counseling is not an option, as Mom seems overly concerned with what others know about her or will think of her. Dad doesn't seem to be concerned about anything. We don't want to become the kind of kids who stop seeing their parents. Any suggestions? — The Girls Dear Girls: When cou- ples retire, they can fall into the trap of doing nothing and getting on each other's nerves. Mom resents Dad invading her domestic domain, and Dad is depressed because his iden- tity was tied up in his job. And if they have health issues, it can exacerbate the problem because getting out of the house can be problem- atic or exhausting. It's a shame your parents won't address their problems, particularly if they are depressed. We recommend you find ways to get them out of the house, together or separately. Take them out for din- ner. Invite Mom to a play. Encour- age Dad to attend a ballgame with you. Look into senior programs in their area, and perhaps offer to go with them until they become inter- ested enough to go on their own and, hopefully, make friends. Please don't give up on them. They need you. Dear Annie: I'm 13 and live with my mom. She always overre- acts when my room is not absolute- ly spotless, which leaves me won- dering whether she has OCD. She doesn't seem to care that the rest of the house is a mess. She seems to magnify the messiness of my room only. When I confront her about this, she gets mad and sends me to my room. I think she wants me to be holed up in there so I'll see how messy it is. But I don't. Does she have OCD? How would I know? School's class of 1962 has planned its 50-year class reunion for Sept. 21-23. The following events are planned: Friday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m. no host bar and light snack; Saturday, Sept. 22, 6 p.m. dinner; and Sunday, Sept. 23, barbecue picnic lunch at noon. All events will take place at the Red Bluff Elks Lodge, 355 Gilmore Road. Red Bluff High School's homecoming is Sept. 28. As Golden Grads, the class of 1962 will be honored with a Help me. — My Room Is Clean Dear Room: If your mom is only concerned with the mess in your room, it's probably not OCD. It's more likely that your room is a little messy. Mom sounds stressed. If you find yourself arguing with her a lot, please consider that the two of you may be pushing each other's buttons more than you intend. Try talking to her when you are both calm. Explain that you don't want to fight. Ask how to make things better. If it doesn't help, please discuss it with your school counselor. Dear Annie: This is in response to ''Single Too Long,'' the 45-year- old gentleman who is having prob- lems meeting women who have never been married and don't have children. I would like to mention No Kid- ding (nokidding.net), an interna- tional ''social club'' for adults, sin- gle or married, who never have par- ented and don't wish to. Not every- one wants kids, and many of us are surrounded by others constantly try- ing to change our minds. No Kid- ding is not a dating site. It's just a place for people without kids to meet like-minded others. — Cali- fornia Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Red Bluff High School Class of 1962 plans 50th reunion Red Bluff Union High campus tour on Friday afternoon and at the football game that evening. For reservations contact Alice Mitchell Tatro at 14420 Del Oro Ct., Red Bluff or by calling 527- 5735.