Three out of four children diagnosed with Autism are boys and symptoms usually begin manifesting around the age of two and one-half when they begin to withdraw.

Although many children with Autism may never completely outgrow some of the characteristics of this disorder, early intervention is key to improvement on all levels: mind, soul, and body. Just as music has three elements of melody, harmony and rhythm, so does the human being have three elements that must be "in sync" or balanced. With recent advances in the fields of nutrition and therapy many children improve to the degree that they no longer are tested--or viewed--as Autistic. This is an exciting breakthrough for parents who until a few short years ago were told there was nothing that could be done for their child.

While there is no known isolated cause of this disability there are many theories, all of which have some validity: a result of the MMR vaccination (measles, mumps, rubella); mercury either in the triple vaccine or via the mother; genetics, a brain injury; allergies; an overabundance of yeast in the system; or a deficiency in the digestive and immune system that can be successfully treated.

Treatments vary as well from megavitamin therapy and increased essential fatty acids to sacral cranial manipulation and sensory integration.

The most prevalent, but little known, cause of psycho-neuro disorders is an infraction in the brain, a tear or disruption in the neuro-pathways that are necessary for normal functioning.

Because of the child's infraction, remedial therapies must be initiated at an early age. Children's Resource Center developed a program in 1981 that uses a specific form of sensory integration called Artistic Therapy. AT uses remedial arts that go beyond the teachings of familiar art therapy or music therapy. AT reaches the soul of the child which responds to the beauty of music, art, movement and sculpture.

Artistic or Remedial Therapy requires extensive training and an unshakable belief that the child understands and absorbs everything in his or her environment. In addition, specific exercises are given that "ground" the child who has difficulty adjusting to his environment. When watching a child walking on tip-toes, it appears that he is not "fully into his body" and the methods of Children's Resource Center have helped children integrate into their surroundings. They are more alert, more aware of their environment, more interested and more able to verbalize their needs and desires.

Along with the various therapies, there is a firm and unyielding belief that children on The Autism Spectrum are highly intelligent, with a significant interruption of "normal" ranges of activity and communication.

Improvements are obvious and long lasting as parents report improvements in the marked behaviors of Autism that may exhibit as perseveration, spinning objects or their body, hyperactivity or hypoactivity, walking on tip toes, flapping of hands or fingers, a distinct lack of eye contact and attention span and/or inability to socialize or verbalize.

TEMPLE GRANDIN
Thanks in large part to Temple Grandin, an autistic who is now an assistant professor of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University, we now know that autistic children are capable of much more than parents and medical professionals had thought possible.

She has told us that even though children scream with pain at being touched, a firm touch, a hug, holding, wrapping in a mat or blanket actually reduces their anxiety and aversion to touch.

Their skin is hypersensitive and frantic mothers who try to change their baby's diaper find a screaming, rigid child who arches his or her back and appears to be in extreme pain. This may cause mothers to reduce the time of physical contact to a minimum which further lessens the bonding that needs to take place.

Dr. Grandin is an exceptional person whose mother read to her constantly and provided therapy on a regular basis. She had a mentor in high school who encouraged her and these two involved and interested people played a significant role in her ability to "come out" of autism.

TOUCHING THE SPIRIT OF THE CHILD
Music, art, and movement reach the very spirit of autistic children, who universally love these non-verbal forms of communication. Although speech isn't required to paint, listen or play music or dance, these activities often facilitate verbalization.

Rudolf Steiner first worked with children in institutions for the developmentally disabled, using music, art and a therapeutic movement called "eurythmy" 100 years ago. He felt that although the essence of the child is intact, it is not fully manifested in the physical world and that it responds to art, music and movement, massage and therapy or what today is known as "sensory integration."

Although there are many theories about this condition, people who work with autistic children using Steiner's methods have a sense that he was correct when he stated that for a child's maximum potential to be realized, a connection must be made on a deep level.

REGAL AND MYSTERIOUS
Autistic children have an almost regal air about them. They are unusually attractive and mysterious. One always has the feeling that they know exactly what is being said to them even if they are unable to communicate verbally. Water colors and finger paints provide effective means for them to express their creativity and inner feelings.

When there is eye contact--regardless of how fleeting-- the impression is of great awareness, intelligence, understanding and appreciation of your efforts. Even when there is no eye contact or obvious communication, hopefully, those who work with autistic children are aware of the impact of their efforts on the spirit of the child.

The program developed by Children's Resource Center with autistic children is based on Steiner's work and uses all forms of art as sensory integration techniques with noticeable results. CRC believes that if music, art, movement, and therapy is regularly provided a child from the age of diagnosis, the prospects are very good for marked improvement.