Autism—When silence isn’t golden.

“Early autism
intervention can make a dramatic difference in a child’s future.”
—Professor of Pediatrics Gregory Liptak, MD, MPH Department of Pediatrics Center for Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics

At the age of one, Aidan seemed right on track—saying “Mommy” and “Daddy” and developing normally. But by 18 months, cuddly Aidan had totally stopped talking and withdrew from familiar games and TV shows. Aidan’s parents turned to their pediatrician for help with this perplexing regression.

Aidan’s pediatrician suggested a visit to University Hospital’s Center for Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics. After a careful evaluation of Aidan’s behavior, social interaction and language skills, his parents were told gently, “It’s early for a formal diagnosis, but Aidan is showing autistic tendencies.”

Autism, now estimated to affect one in every 150 children, suggests a dysfunctional central nervous system, and impairs normal language, behavior and social development. Aidan was diagnosed with regressive or late-onset autism, in which an infant begins to develop normally but shows developmental delays as a toddler.

“The news was a bomb,” admits Aidan’s mother. But because Aidan’s autism was detected early, he’s been making excellent progress in a special pre-k program and is receiving intensive speech therapy. Aidan is a poster child for early autism intervention, which can make a dramatic difference in a child’s future, according to University Hospital’s Dr. Gregory Liptak, one of ten autism authorities revising the American Academy of Pediatrics national guidelines for autism diagnosis and treatment.

Since her son’s diagnosis, Aidan’s mother has become an impassioned autism advocate, working with the CNY Chapter of the Autism Society of America. “If you have a concern about your child’s development,” she says, “seek help. Intervention can make all the difference in the person your child can become.”