Geneva, IL —
A typical day for the Guzniczak family in Geneva is almost like that of any other family — they eat breakfast, get dressed, go to school and work and come home.
The exception is that their son, 9-year-old Gavin, has autism.
As a result, the family has adjusted and tries seeing the world the way Gavin does.
“He thinks in pictures, and we have found that when we show him rather than tell him what he is doing that day, he is less anxious and able to transition from one activity to another,” said his mother, Kelly Guzniczak.
Gavin’s visual schedule is on the family fridge includes the day of the week at the top, followed by a picture of school and his teacher, then either a picture of his speech therapist and the therapist’s office or the family’s home, depending on where he’s going.
As Guzniczak, her husband Vince, and their two daughters learned to understand Gavin’s autism, the medical community also is beginning to paint a clearer picture of the disorder.
Apparent increase
Last month, a South Korean study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry showed autism could be twice as more prevalent in developed countries — at a rate of 2.6 percent — than doctors originally thought.
Autism is a disorder characterized by social impairments such as a lack of basic intuition about people, communication difficulties such as lack of speech and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior such as compulsiveness. The Center for Disease Control estimates an average of 1 in 110 children in the United States have some form of autism.
But the study suggests the occurrence of autism in a developed country could be as high as 1 in 38 children.
Yet some doctors attribute the numbers to better diagnosis.
“There’s a more unified diagnostic criteria and more awareness,” said Dr. Perniya Masood, who practices pediatrics at Delnor Hospital and in St. Charles. “I think there’s an earlier detection.”
Masood screens toddlers with an autism checklist, which includes asking parents nine questions such as “Does your child ever pretend, for example, to make a cup of tea using a toy cup and teapot, or pretend other things?” and “Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point, to indicate interest in something?” If the answer is “no,” the child could be at risk for autism.
The list is a tool for general practice physicians to use for referral to a specialized physician.
A 2009 study in the Journal Pediatrics showed that about 1 percent of children in the U.S. have autism compared with 0.0001 percent 25 years ago. The criteria to diagnose autism was broadened in 1994, and included Asperger’s syndrome as a milder form of autism.
“We are diagnosing kids (with autism) we wouldn’t have diagnosed 10 to 15 years ago,” said Dr. Kathy Ellerbeck, who sits on the autism subcommittee for the Elk Grove Village based-American Academy of Pediatrics, but practices in Kansas City, Mo.
Ellerbeck said doctors now screen for symptoms of autism at 18 and 24 months of age. She said there’s still some debate in the medical community about whether the apparent increase is due to a better diagnostic process or a real increase in its occurrence.
Locally, some groups that deal with autism have seen more of a need. Carolyn Nagle, executive director for the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, said the number of children with autism in summer camp jumped 16 percent last year compared to 2009.
In addition, the Geneva Park District is increasing its budget this year for aid workers who handle children with autism by $37,000 from two years ago.
Meanwhile, doctors said the best treatments are varying levels of behavioral therapy.
“I think medications should be used very carefully,” Ellerbeck said. “Intensive behavior intervention appears to be the most effective way to approach this.”
A unique family
Because they have a child with autism, the Guzniczaks can’t do many of the same activities as other families. For example, they can’t just take a quick walk in the park.
“It isn’t because Gavin doesn’t like this activity. It’s because he doesn’t want to return home,” Kelly said. “This is an activity that we would have to do for a lengthy period of time to avoid a major meltdown.”
However, Gavin loves going to Kane County Cougars baseball games and can do so without incident.
“We call that a normal family experience,” his mother said.
Gavin was diagnosed with autism when he was 5, but Kelly said he presented some typical behaviors of autism much sooner. He was born 16 weeks early and had developmental delays in motor skills and communication, but wasn’t catching up in certain areas as preemies tend to do. Vince Guzniczak said Gavin likes only certain TV shows such as “Phineas and Ferb” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
“He does best with a routine,” Vince said. “He has certain things he likes to do.”
Part of Gavin’s routine is attending a self-contained classroom through the Mid-Valley Special Education New Pathways program in St. Charles. It’s a smaller classroom specifically for children with autism. There, Gavin has gym, recess, music, social studies and science.
Gavin has a high form of autism and lacks speaking skills. He uses a combination of a picture exchange system and a Dynavox voice output computer to communicate.
“However, it is difficult to know, for example, if something hurts,” Kelly said. “We rely heavily on his behaviors and body language. This is fine for his immediate family who know him so well, but difficult for those who aren’t around him.”
Kelly said Gavin is an engaging child and they even get hugs. He sometimes plays with his sisters, 11-year-old Maya and 4-year-old Fiona, usually chasing or imitating each other and making silly faces.
Today, Gavin needs 24-hour supervision. Kelly said he has a severe oral aversion which results in eating issues and his sleep can be irregular. His lack of ability to communicate also presents the need for constant supervision. Vince said the family always has to be aware not to leave any gates open in the backyard.
“If he escapes, it could ugly,” Vince said. “He can’t speak and tell anybody where he lives.”
Although Gavin has surprised his family on occasion with his advancement, especially from using the Dynavox to communicate, his parents doubt he’ll ever be fully independent.
“We anticipate he’s going to be with us forever,” Vince said.
But there are moments of hope. Kelly realizes Gavin can do some activities on his own, but has become used to others doing it for him.
“He knows that if he waits long enough, it will be done for him,” Kelly said. “He knows he is cute and little and he works it.”
The exception is that their son, 9-year-old Gavin, has autism.
As a result, the family has adjusted and tries seeing the world the way Gavin does.
“He thinks in pictures, and we have found that when we show him rather than tell him what he is doing that day, he is less anxious and able to transition from one activity to another,” said his mother, Kelly Guzniczak.
Gavin’s visual schedule is on the family fridge includes the day of the week at the top, followed by a picture of school and his teacher, then either a picture of his speech therapist and the therapist’s office or the family’s home, depending on where he’s going.
As Guzniczak, her husband Vince, and their two daughters learned to understand Gavin’s autism, the medical community also is beginning to paint a clearer picture of the disorder.
Apparent increase
Last month, a South Korean study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry showed autism could be twice as more prevalent in developed countries — at a rate of 2.6 percent — than doctors originally thought.
Autism is a disorder characterized by social impairments such as a lack of basic intuition about people, communication difficulties such as lack of speech and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior such as compulsiveness. The Center for Disease Control estimates an average of 1 in 110 children in the United States have some form of autism.
But the study suggests the occurrence of autism in a developed country could be as high as 1 in 38 children.
Yet some doctors attribute the numbers to better diagnosis.
“There’s a more unified diagnostic criteria and more awareness,” said Dr. Perniya Masood, who practices pediatrics at Delnor Hospital and in St. Charles. “I think there’s an earlier detection.”
Masood screens toddlers with an autism checklist, which includes asking parents nine questions such as “Does your child ever pretend, for example, to make a cup of tea using a toy cup and teapot, or pretend other things?” and “Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point, to indicate interest in something?” If the answer is “no,” the child could be at risk for autism.
The list is a tool for general practice physicians to use for referral to a specialized physician.
A 2009 study in the Journal Pediatrics showed that about 1 percent of children in the U.S. have autism compared with 0.0001 percent 25 years ago. The criteria to diagnose autism was broadened in 1994, and included Asperger’s syndrome as a milder form of autism.
“We are diagnosing kids (with autism) we wouldn’t have diagnosed 10 to 15 years ago,” said Dr. Kathy Ellerbeck, who sits on the autism subcommittee for the Elk Grove Village based-American Academy of Pediatrics, but practices in Kansas City, Mo.
Ellerbeck said doctors now screen for symptoms of autism at 18 and 24 months of age. She said there’s still some debate in the medical community about whether the apparent increase is due to a better diagnostic process or a real increase in its occurrence.
Locally, some groups that deal with autism have seen more of a need. Carolyn Nagle, executive director for the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, said the number of children with autism in summer camp jumped 16 percent last year compared to 2009.
In addition, the Geneva Park District is increasing its budget this year for aid workers who handle children with autism by $37,000 from two years ago.
Meanwhile, doctors said the best treatments are varying levels of behavioral therapy.
“I think medications should be used very carefully,” Ellerbeck said. “Intensive behavior intervention appears to be the most effective way to approach this.”
A unique family
Because they have a child with autism, the Guzniczaks can’t do many of the same activities as other families. For example, they can’t just take a quick walk in the park.
“It isn’t because Gavin doesn’t like this activity. It’s because he doesn’t want to return home,” Kelly said. “This is an activity that we would have to do for a lengthy period of time to avoid a major meltdown.”
However, Gavin loves going to Kane County Cougars baseball games and can do so without incident.
“We call that a normal family experience,” his mother said.
Gavin was diagnosed with autism when he was 5, but Kelly said he presented some typical behaviors of autism much sooner. He was born 16 weeks early and had developmental delays in motor skills and communication, but wasn’t catching up in certain areas as preemies tend to do. Vince Guzniczak said Gavin likes only certain TV shows such as “Phineas and Ferb” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
“He does best with a routine,” Vince said. “He has certain things he likes to do.”
Part of Gavin’s routine is attending a self-contained classroom through the Mid-Valley Special Education New Pathways program in St. Charles. It’s a smaller classroom specifically for children with autism. There, Gavin has gym, recess, music, social studies and science.
Gavin has a high form of autism and lacks speaking skills. He uses a combination of a picture exchange system and a Dynavox voice output computer to communicate.
“However, it is difficult to know, for example, if something hurts,” Kelly said. “We rely heavily on his behaviors and body language. This is fine for his immediate family who know him so well, but difficult for those who aren’t around him.”
Kelly said Gavin is an engaging child and they even get hugs. He sometimes plays with his sisters, 11-year-old Maya and 4-year-old Fiona, usually chasing or imitating each other and making silly faces.
Today, Gavin needs 24-hour supervision. Kelly said he has a severe oral aversion which results in eating issues and his sleep can be irregular. His lack of ability to communicate also presents the need for constant supervision. Vince said the family always has to be aware not to leave any gates open in the backyard.
“If he escapes, it could ugly,” Vince said. “He can’t speak and tell anybody where he lives.”
Although Gavin has surprised his family on occasion with his advancement, especially from using the Dynavox to communicate, his parents doubt he’ll ever be fully independent.
“We anticipate he’s going to be with us forever,” Vince said.
But there are moments of hope. Kelly realizes Gavin can do some activities on his own, but has become used to others doing it for him.
“He knows that if he waits long enough, it will be done for him,” Kelly said. “He knows he is cute and little and he works it.”
ttp://www.mysuburbanlife.com/news/x1293705924/Autisms-apparent-rise-fears-understanding-play-out-locally
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