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Parents Learn Signs of Autism

PTC hosts workshop on issue.

Rosanne Pagano Pizzi, Psychology Supervisor at Childrens Specialized Hospital attended the monthly Parent Teacher Committee meeting to share a Power Point presentation with the candidates and public in attendance

The main objective of the presentation was to separate the different classifications of autism and what could possibly cause autism and what definitely does not cause autism.

The different classifications of autism and the potential causes for autism were the focus of a presentation at the PTC Special Education Committee meeting last week.

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Rosanne Pagano Pizzi, the psychology supervisor at Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside explained the various aspects of autism. There are many different names for diseases that are on the spectrum of autism, but it is important to know that they are all forms of autism as a whole. Asperger's, PDD-NOS, and Autism Spectrum Disorder is all part of the spectrum.

Autism is defined as a developmental disability in which impaired socialization, impared communication, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests are displayed.

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How to diagnose autism was also a topic covered. Pizzi's presentation outlined some key guidelines of behavioral patterns to look for in children as they are developing. There are twelve main features including impairments in nonverbal behaviors, failure to develop peer relationships, a lack of interests, lack of social reciprocity, delay in spoken language, impaired conversational skills, stereotyped and repetitive use of language, lack of make-believe or social initiative play, preoccupation with one or more interests that is abnormal either in intensity or focus, inflexible adherence to routines or rituals, repetitive motor mannerisms, and preoccupation with parts of objects.

After going through those guidelines, Pizzi played a few videos for those in attendance. The videos featured children with autistic behavior and children without the autistic traits. Pizzi showed the behavioral differences between both sets of children.  

Diagnosing autism is tricky in its own way. Pizzi urges parents that are worried about their child to be absolutely positive that they get the right diagnosis. Often a neurologist would say that the child has ADHD and not autism. If the child's parents are not satisfied or confident with that, they should go see another neurologist to get a second opinion.

“The symptoms are present prior to the age of three,” she explained. “It's possible that parents might not be aware that the symptoms are present or they were not picked up on but the symptoms would be present at that time.”

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