NANA SAYS EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM THROUGH RESEARCH AT THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN

Having a special needs child has never been easy for parents. Watching the development of your preschooler veer off balance to other children brings  a new realization that something is different when a child is diagnosed with autism or in the Autism Spectrum Disorder category. This week a study was revealed by doctors at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto that shed hope on earlier diagnosis of children. Studying the genome and the mutations in the genes of over 3000 people from North America and Europe, it would be possible to know which children are at risk. Even hope to find these children prenatally.  It was quoted that the average child is not diagnosed until age 4 but in my experience there are many children that are found earlier. The issue of course is to begin treatment and support to both the child and parents. In our area there is Early Intervention Services offering physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, speech language and medical intervention when needed. Support that comes to the home. For parents to be part of the team that supports their child as well as connecting with other parents dealing with their complexities is vital. Finding ways to advocate early for all those supports should become less work and more of a realization of what is really needed. Parents who go for genetic testing prenatally will be better prepared to make difficult decisions about their children. What is important to me is the help available for Canadian couples facing this tough diagnosis to know that children with autism can have a future and the hope of better acceptance in the larger population.