social skills

Autism Rates Have Stabilized in U.S. Children

Laura LeBlanc MA, CCC/SLPLeave a comment

Rates of autism spectrum disorder among children in the U.S. remained stable from 2014 to 2016, according to new research—a change from previous studies that found steady increases over the past two decades.

The new research letter, published in JAMA, looked at survey responses from a nationally representative sample of more than 30,000 children, ages 3 to 17, and their families. From 2014 to 2016, adults in each household were asked if a doctor had ever told them that their child had autism, Asperger’s disorder, pervasive developmental disorder or autism spectrum disorder. Data from the study was then adjusted to account for differences in people’s age, gender and ethnicity.

The researchers found that in 2014, 2.24% of participating children were reported to have an autism spectrum disorder. That number rose only slightly in 2015 and 2016, to 2.41% and 2.58%, respectively—an increase that was not statistically significant.

Autism rates did vary by sub-group. Over the three-year period, 3.54% of boys were reported to have an autism spectrum disorder, compared to 1.22% of girls. Prevalence was 1.78% in Hispanic children, 2.36% in black children and 2.71% in white children.

The overall estimate for autism prevalence among children in the analysis—2.4%—is higher than another recent estimate, from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, of 1.46%. The discrepancy may be explained by differences in study design, the authors note in their report. For example, the new study asked parents if their child has received a diagnosis, while the previous study looked at education and health-care evaluations.

Source: Time Health January 2, 2018

10 Signs Your Child May Have Asperger’s Syndrome

Laura LeBlanc MA, CCC/SLPLeave a comment

Asperger’s syndrome is a neurological disorder which falls under the category of autism spectrum disorders- a group of disorders characterized by impaired communication and social interaction. About 1 percent of the world’s population is affected by this disorder. Although exact symptoms may vary from child to child, there are many behaviors that may be signs of Asperger’s syndrome.  Here are the most common:

1. Unusual Body Language

Your child may make unusual facial expressions or stare at others a lot.  More likely, however, a child will avoid making eye contact all together.

2. Fixation on One Activity

Many children with Asperger’s are preoccupied with a single or few interests for hours on end and do not engage in play with other children.

3. Overly “Formal” Speech

Children with Asperger’s have advanced verbal skills and tend to speak more formally than expected for their age or prefer talking with adults.

4. Difficulty Reading Social Cues

Social difficulties is one of the most “obvious” of the Asperger’s symptoms.  Reading body language may be hard, as well as turn-taking or accepting others point of view and sticking to a topic of conversation.  A child may talk incessantly without giving others a chance to speak, or notice that others are becoming bored with the conversation.

5. Lack of Empathy 

Many child with Asperger’s have a lack of empathy for others and have no idea that others have feelings or wants.

6. Delayed motor development

From fine motor (ie writing) to gross motor (ie riding a bike), poor or delayed motor skills could be a sign of Asperger’s syndrome.

7. Sensory Sensitivities 

It’s possible for a child with Asperger’s to have heightened sensory sensitivity.  Things such as loud noises, strong lights, or even certain textures can cause them to become overstimulated and overwhelmed.

8. Can’t Understand Speech Subtleties

Some people with Asperger’s have a hard time understanding speech tone, pitch, and accent.  They may take words very literally and not comprehend humor or jokes.

9. Strong Need for Routine 

Many people with Asperger’s prefer to adhere to a strict routine for everything from bedtime to meals and showers.  Having structure is very important, otherwise they may feel unsettled or confused.

10. Emotional Meltdowns

When a child with Asperger’s becomes overwhelmed they often have a meltdown.  This is a common result of routines or plans not going as expected.

Articulation in Children Top 5 Speech Questions

Laura LeBlanc MA, CCC/SLPLeave a comment

What is articulation?

Articulation is the ability to make speech sounds clearly. Children learn correct sound production by listening and imitating appropriate speech role models. Articulation develops gradually over a period of 8 years.

When should I be concerned about my child’s articulation?

Under the age of 3, it is common for children to make quite a few sound errors and substitutions.  By age 3, a child should be using at least 200 words, using 3-5 word phrases and be understood at least 80% of the time.  By age 4, a child should be 100% intelligible even if they continue to have some articulation errors.  Sounds which are “later developing” include “sh”, “ch” “j” and “th”.  Sometimes the “s” and “r” sounds are more difficult to remediate and require more speech therapy.

What sounds do children learn to produce first and in what order?

Most children are able to produce the “bilabial” sounds (made with the lips) of “b”, “p” “m”and “w”. They may also produce sounds such as “d”, “t”, and “n” early on as well.  Child acquire sounds developmentally and by age 8 should have mastered all of the sounds.

What causes an articulation disorder?

Although the cause is often unknown, the following are may cause an articulation disorder:

  • Hearing loss
  • Illness
  • Developmental Disorder (ie Autism)
  • Neurological Disorder (ie Cerebral Palsy)
  • Genetic Disorder (ie Down Syndrome)

How do you treat an articulation disorder?

If you feel that your child is in need a speech evaluation, it is vital to seek treatment from an ASHA (American Speech Hearing Association) Certified provider who will conduct a comprehensive evaluation and provide services as needed.