Reaching the Autistic Child - Diagnosis and Treatment

How do you know if your child is autistic, when should you start worrying, and what can you do?

By focusing on two boys diagnosed with autism, this two-part series looks at emerging theories on early identification and treatment of autism, which has seen a four-fold jump in diagnoses over the last few decades.

Part one asks the question: How young is too young to diagnose autism? Does labeling a very young child with autism create a self-fulfilling prophecy? And if you wait too long, do you give up the chance to change the course of this heartbreaking disorder? One mother swears her push for early diagnosis is what saved her son from a lifelong disability, while another mother wonders if she was in denial too long.

Part two investigates new theories in treating autism – and asks the question: is autism a permanent disability to be managed as best as possible, or is it a developmental problem that – with the proper therapy – can be reversed? We hear from the mothers who worked tirelessly to bring their sons out of their autistic worlds, as well as experts with conflicting advice on how to handle and help autistic children.

STATIONS ARE FREE TO USE ONE OR BOTH STORIES IN THIS SERIES. THEY CAN EACH STAND ALONE.

This series first aired in December 2003 on WFCR in Amherst, Massachusetts and WNPR, Connecticut Public Radio. Hide full description

How do you know if your child is autistic, when should you start worrying, and what can you do?

By focusing on two boys diagnosed with autism, this two-part series looks at emerging theories on early identification and treatment of autism, which has seen a four-fold jump in diagnoses over the last few decades.

Part one asks the question: How young is too young to diagnose autism? Does labeling a very young child with autism create a self-fulfilling prophecy? And if you wait too long, do you give up the chance to change the course of this heartbreaking disorder? One mother swears her push for early diagnosis is what saved her son from a lifelong disability, while another mother wonders if she was in denial too long.

Part two investigates new theories in treating autism – and asks the... Show full description