30seconds with Melissa Juneau

People have misconceptions about autism, and as executive director of the Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation, it’s Melissa Juneau’s job to clarify them—especially in April, which is National Autism Awareness Month.

In the simplest terms, explain autism.

It’s a pervasive and multifaceted disorder that impacts the areas of socialization, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and it affects each individual differently. People with autism, especially children, often have restrictive play and interests and repetitive motor movements. There is a wide range of functioning associated with ASD (autism spectrum disorders), which refers to a group of development disorders diagnosed first in early childhood.

Autism seems more common today than ever.

Yes, it’s true more people are diagnosed now than ever before, and it’s not entirely clear why. The latest studies revealed one in 150 children are affected with ASD (according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention 2007). In the early 1990s autism incidents were one in 10,000. This alarming rise has given autism the undesired ranking as the most prevalent childhood developmental disorder in the United States.

Why is that?

Lots of theories have been circulated, but increased awareness and more research is credited with the increased rate. With “spectrum disorder,” it changed the amount of kids who fell into that category. Doctors are looking at kids at an earlier age and giving diagnosis.

Why does autism seem to affect family members so profoundly?

First, there’s no cause known. And worse, there’s no cure. It automatically brings emotional impact to family; that feeling of uncertainty for the child’s future. Because each child with ASD is so very unique, there is often no clear-cut road map to follow daily. Finding appropriate therapy for the child can be very stressful. It’s expensive and difficult to find.

April is Autism Awareness Month. What do you want people to remember?

That they remember that each child has a wonderful potential. Children with ASD learn differently, but they do have great potential to learn. We must continue to look at ways to give them every opportunity to learn social skills necessary to lead normal lives.

Learn more at brshf.org.