Communication and Autism

  Why is communication important? In the case of Ian, my brother, it meant three years of being misdiagnosed as a normal boy instead of being properly diagnosed as Autistic. Now in the small town that my siblings and I grew up in, Autism was not a commonly known concept or word. Even thought Autism has been a documented, classified disorder since the 1940s it was not really known until the late 1970s. But still Autism was not truly illuminated into public view until the mid-2000s. This affected how Ian was "treated". My parents, with the little information given to them by Ian's pediatrician, put him in speech therapy. This did not help him with his lack of communication and social isolation.
  Autism is a developmental disorder that affects social behavior, mental growth, and communication skills. Because Autism is such a complicated disorder it is hard to identify, properly classify (because Autism is a large spectrum with varying degrees and combinations of symptoms), and to treat children who have the disorder.
  Through family friends gathering information, Ian's speech therapist, and my parents determination to understand what was wrong with their son, Ian was finally properly diagnosed with Autism at the Vanderbilt Hospital. It was devastating at first, even frightening. But now no one looks at Ian and thinks "Oh, he must have something wrong with him." Ian is to the point that his family have to tell people that Ian is Autistic because they would never have guessed that in a million years.
  In regards to communication, it is important to have the correct information from knowledgeable people who are willing to explore all options. Especially in the medical profession. Without the conformation that Ian was and is Autistic by a team of trained, experienced, and caring people who dedicate their lives to the care of children, Ian would not have turned out as well as he has become.