The following article has been reprinted from the NACD Journal in preparation for our upcoming telephone seminar on Autism. Please see "Upcoming Events" below for information on joining us for this important seminar.

Let me begin with a brief history of our experience with children within the autism spectrum over the past several decades, for doing so will give you a better understanding of the significant "pieces of the puzzle" we are working with in regard to what we know thus far about the autism spectrum and how our ability to effect change in these children has evolved. It is important for parents of children within the spectrum as well as professionals working with them to have knowledge of and a working context for the various significant "pieces" that affect how well we do with these children.

I first began exploring autism in the 1960s. At that time, autism was actually referred to by a different term. Called "childhood schizophrenia," autism was considered to be a psychiatric problem. The leader in the field at that time, a man named Bruno Bettelheim, perceived autism as a psychiatric disorder caused by what he referred to as "refrigerator mothers." He blamed it on the mothers. Fortunately, we have come a long way since then in understanding children with autism and their related problems. But those of you who are struggling now and having a tough time with your kids can imagine how horrific it was in those days - trying to handle these children while everyone essentially thought "the mother did it."

We moved past that theory in the late sixties and early seventies, thankfully, due to the work of one man. His name was Carl Delacato. In 1970, Carl let me read a manuscript of a book he had written called The Ultimate Stranger. Carl Delacato was the first to perceive children within the autism spectrum as having sensory issues. He was also the first to perceive that these sensory problems were underlying the behavioral and developmental problems the children were displaying. At that time, remember, autism was believed to be a psychiatric problem, and the only treatment methodology that existed involved data-based behavior modification programs and skill-based training programs. Prior to reading Carl Delacato's manuscript, I had traveled around the United States and studied under the people who were the leaders in the field at that time. I had learned how to design data-based programs and supervise them, and worked at trying to develop skills with the children. It was an extremely frustrating time because we were not doing anything to significantly change what was wrong with these children. The prevailing philosophy, unfortunately, was not unlike the philosophy of a lot of people within the system to this day -- which is that you cannot produce significant change in the underlying disorder, about all you can hope to do is teach the child some different skills.

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BILINGUALISM: THE WAY TO GO
by Prachi Sinha
NACD Developmentalist in India

I live in a country where diversity is the best description. This applies to languages as well as culture. We have 29 different languages in India. Our common everyday use language is called Hindustani, which is a mixture of Hindi, Urdu, English, and some Sanskrit as well. Almost all households in India-rich or poor, literate or illiterate-are bilingual. So when I read the current research on this subject, I feel extremely excited to see the positive implications of such an environment. In this article I will provide a summary of some of this research and the positive outcomes of a bilingual/multilingual environment that I have observed.

There are several research studies conducted at universities from France, Canada, and USA that talk about how bilingualism/multilingualism is advantageous and gives bilingual children an edge over monolingual peers. In fact it is now seen that the positive implications of bilingualism extend not only to linguistic abilities but to cognitive function as well. These advantages emerge and can be observed as early as 24 months of age. By then the child has acquired a vocabulary in both the languages and has gained some experience in switching between them.

Sweet little Maya at the age of five knew how to speak in Hindi and English. She was not only communicating well but also deciding which language she needed to use with whom.

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UPCOMING EVENTS  

ANNOUNCING UPCOMING TELEPHONE SEMINARS!

Join the NACD staff and NACD families to discuss important topics that are relevant to you and your child.

Seminars are free and open to all!

UPCOMING DATES & TOPICS

TONIGHT!!!

February 23: The Autism Spectrum

Learn about NACD's innovative approaches to the Spectrum with discussion points including:

• DSA's Debilitating Sensory Addictions
• Spontaneous scripts
• Personal Reference Books
• Hear from NACD founder Robert J. Doman and other NACD staff members, as well as parents of children in the Spectrum.

Participants will be provided with opportunities for questions and comments.

Time: 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (9 Eastern, 8 Central, 6 Pacific)

March 23: Down Syndrome

April 27: To Be Announced

PARENT TELEPHONE MEETING FOR

CHICAGO, MINNEAPOLIS, AND MILWAUKEE CHAPTERS!

(Everyone is invited to participate. You don't have to be an NACD client to call in.)

When:  

February 8

8 pm Eastern

How:  

1) RSVP to Ellen Doman ellen@nacd.org 

2) Call 218-339-4600  

Use the passcode:  798263#

Spend your summer vacation with us! Held in the beautiful Ogden Valley, Utah, the annual NACD Rendezvous is an event that you won't want to miss! Come meet other NACD families and join the NACD staff for fun, relaxation, and free informative workshops. The NACD Rendezvous gives families a chance to interact, compare notes, share experiences, and just have a good time in a breathtaking, serene setting.

Fun events from previous years included:

• Boating
• Tubing
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Concert on the mountain 
• NACD family barbeque
• Fishing
• Arcade games, bowling, iFly skydiving, iRock rock climbing, and Flowrider surfing at the Salomon Center in Ogden

Previous workshop topics:

• Processing: The Latest and Greatest
• Program Implementation
• Down Syndrome: New Perspectives
• Autism Spectrum and Sensory Issues
• Yoga for Kids
• Intensity: Behavior and Physiological Issues
• Meeting Our Potential

To register for the Rendezvous, contact Denise at the main office: 801-621-8606.

Registration fee is $150 per family.

Other items of note:

• If you are interested in sharing a condo with another family, please let Denise know when you register for the Rendezvous.
• Speech/language evaluations with Lori Riggs are available during the Rendezvous on a limited basis.
• Health/nutrition consults with Dr. Neil may be available.

NACD arranges for special rates for condos at Moose Hollow in Eden, Utah. (See www.rmountainplace.com) Most Rendezvous activities take place at Moose Hollow, and all discussion groups will be held in the clubhouse there. To make reservations and receive the special NACD rate, contact:  

Gloria Kelley

phone: 801-451-7064

cell: 801-643-3154

Note: Do NOT make reservations for Moose Hollow online if you wish to receive the NACD discount.

Our planning for this year's Rendezvous is underway. Please check our website for updates. We will provide specific schedules and discussion topics when they become available:  www.nacd.org/rendezvous/