06/04/2013
DID YOU KNOW THAT WITH AUTISM (as with all things), YOU MUST NEVER GIVE UP HOPE
Many parents of children with autism have been told that if their child isn’t speaking by age 4 or 5, he or she isn’t likely to ever do so. Now, researchers have countered this view – citing cases of children who developed language during grade-school, or even adolescence. Today, a study of more than 500 children confirms those promising reports. It appears online today in the journal Pediatrics.
Scientists at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, in Baltimore, looked at information on 535 children, ages 8 to 17, diagnosed with autism and with severe language delays at age 4. At age 4, their language delays ranged from not speaking at all to using single words or phrases without verbs.
The researchers found that, in fact, most of these children did go on to acquire language skills. Nearly half (47 percent) became fluent speakers. Over two-thirds (70 percent) could speak in simple phrases.
The researchers also wanted to see what factors might predict whether a severely language-delayed child with autism would eventually develop speech. They found that most of the children who did so had higher IQs (assessed with nonverbal tests) and lower social impairment. Somewhat surprisingly, the researchers found a child’s level of repetitive behaviors and restricted interests did not affect the likelihood of language development.
Find out more at the WOW D.I.V.A.S 3rd Autism Day on the 20th April 2013 at Patrick Speech and Languages Centre in Ikeja, Lagos. It's a free event and parents should bring their children, especially those on the autism spectrum. Patrick Speech and Lang center will cater for the children. Register at http://form.myjotform.com/form/30841719570557
