In the first Autism Awareness Week here, the Autistic Association (Singapore) is out to correct wrong perceptions of the disorder
Special abilities in art, music and math are confined to only 10 per cent of the autistic
IF THE word "autism" brings to mind immediately Dustin Hoffman's role in Rain Man, you belong to the majority who have a cloudy idea about the disorder. The movie's character in fact represents a minority among people with autism.
Only about 10 per cent of the autistic have special abilities in certain fields such as art, music and mathematics.
Correcting such misconceptions is the goal of the Autistic Association (Singapore) when it launches the first Autism Awareness Week here on Oct 28.
People with autism do not look any differently from others, and it is this invisible nature that makes it harder to create awareness of the condition, says Ms Sara Tan, executive director of Autistic Association (Singapore).
Children suffering from the disorder, for instance, are often misunderstood as bad-mannered and people blame their odd behaviour on bad parenting.
Says Dr Ho Lai Yun, senior consultant paediatrician and head of the Department of Neonatology at the Singapore General Hospital: "Their difficulties are often intensified by the lack of recognition and the hostility of some people when observing autistic behaviours. Even autistics with high levels of ability suffer because their struggle to understand social rules is so often misunderstood." Dr Ho also heads the Child Development Unit at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
A life-long developmental disorder, autism affects about four out of every 10,000 children and is four times more common in boys than girls.
No two people with autism behave in the same manner, thus the disorder is often referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
The intellectual ability in autistic children ranges from those with severe learning disabilities to those with average or above-average intellect. However, people with autism are all impaired in three areas -- social interaction, social communication and imagination. With impaired social interaction skills, autistic children often will not be pro-active in approaching others.
Without proper communication skills, children with autism range from those who talk non-stop to those whose language is disordered or even absent. They usually have difficulty talking about their thoughts and feelings, or understanding these in others. Thus they are often misunderstood as being insensitive.
The exact causes of autism are unknown. But conditions that affect brain development before, during or after birth such as lack of oxygen at birth, maternal rubella (German measles) and complications from childhood illnesses such as measles and whooping cough can lead to autism.
The disability usually manifests itself within the first three years of life. But it is often not detected till much later as there is "no medical or clinical marker to confirm the diagnosis and it is strongly behaviour-based," says Dr Ho.
But diagnosis is important as it helps the family to seek the most appropriate support services for their child. Early detection also helps foster development, promote learning, increase independence in daily living skills and alleviate family distress, he says.
There is no cure for autism.
Usually a combination of behaviour treatment, education, speech and language therapy, family support and occasionally medication are needed. But as long as the public remains ignorant of the condition, autistics will find life hard.
Says Ms Tan: "This is why it's important to prepare the community to accept people with autism, so that their integration into society will be much easier."
Understanding Autism
Common myths about the ailment
| Myth | Autism is a mental illness. |
| Fact | Autism is a developmental disability, not mental disease, that impairs imagination and social interaction and communication skills. |
| Myth | Autistic people are often a whiz in areas such as mathematical calculations, art or music. |
| Fact | Only about 10 per cent of people with autism have special talents and abilities as displayed by Dustin Hoffman's character in the movie Rain Man. |
| Myth | People can outgrow autism. |
| Fact | Autism is a lifelong disability that cannot be cured, but can be managed by education and therapy. |
| Myth | You can tell if someone has autism. |
| Fact | People with autism look no different from normal people. This is why the condition is often termed the "invisible disability" and people blame the odd behaviour of autistics on ill discipline or bad parenting. |
| Myth | Autism is caused by emotional deprivation. |
| Fact | The exact cause of autism is not known, but autism is not a result of parental neglect. It is traced to a variety of conditions that affect brain development, such as maternal rubella, tuberous sclerosis, lack of oxygen at birth and complications from childhood illnesses such as measles and whooping cough. |
Where to Get Help
Special schools and centres
| Where |
Autistic Association
Blk 381, Clementi Ave 5, #01-398 |
| Tel | 774-6649 |
| What | Provides early intervention programme for children aged two to six. Runs sessions where parents are taught how to cope with the disorder. Also runs an Autism Youth Centre where adolescents aged 12 to 21 are taught self-help skills such as personal hygiene, how to take public transport and make purchases. |
| Where |
Margaret Drive Special School
501, Margaret Drive |
| Tel | 472-7077 |
| What | Offers kids aged seven to 12 a programme of academic skills as well as self-help and social skills. |
| Where |
Balestier Special School
8, McNair Road |
| Tel | 295-6591 |
| What | Offers a similar programme to Margaret Drive Special School. |
| Where |
Dover Court Centre for Special Education
Dover Road |
| Tel | 775-7664 / 775-7665 |
| What | Also provides a teaching programme incorporating academic and social skills. |
| Where |
Horizon School for Special Education
8/9, Winchester Road |
| Tel | 270-1824 |
| What | Has an individual-based programme tailored to the needs of those aged 2-1/2 to 21 years. |
| Where |
Christian Outreach to the Handicapped
155, Owen Road |
| Tel | 295-5941 / 295-2007 |
| What | Runs an autism programme that caters to adolescents aged 13 to 18. |