Discussing Autism

So, apparently I am “jumping on the bandwagon” in saying that my son has Institutional Autism. I have clearly stated from the very beginning of this blog that AJ does not have Autism, that he has not been diagnosed with Autism but rather, that he has been diagnosed with Institutional Autism.

I stated that, hmmmm, May 3? I believe that was long before all this Jenny McCarthy news, the Autism Trial, the Vaccine Debates, the Lead Toy Scandals (that cause toxicity), and so forth. Right?

Institutional Autism is not a classic autism, at least according to the leading Neuropsychologist in the field, Dr. Ronald Federici. It is a learned behavior disorder that mimics autism. When we consulted (via email) Federici two years ago he was very clear in stating that AJ met his criteria for Institutional Autism. However, he also stated that for a full diagnoses we should meet with him. We have also had another neurologist confirm that belief.

While abandonment and institutionalization most certainly has a profound impact on a child’s ability to develop trust, bonding and security in newly adoptive relationships, an emphasis needs to be placed on the integrity of the post-institutionalized child’s higher-level neurocognitive abilities with a comprehensive assessment regarding the availability of “innate skills” needed for bonding, attachment and the development of appropriate social interactional and reciprocal behaviors. While many children with post-institutionalized attachment disorders may display a combination of unattached or even indiscriminant behaviors (Ames, 1997), many post-institutionalized children display a very intense pattern of behavioral dyscontrol; aggression and violence; destructiveness to self and others; a lack of cause-and-effect thinking; indiscriminant affections to strangers as evidenced by being inappropriately demanding and clingy; or a pattern of social withdrawal, isolation and maintaining a self-stimulating posture. A principle complaint from parents adopting an older child is that the child may be out of synchrony with their environment resulting in difficulties in providing management, structure and organization.

The bold text above is what we experience on a daily basis (except affection to strangers)…along with
Severe Sensory Integration
Social deprivation
Self stimulation (ie: stimming)
Severe oral motor and feeding issues
Central Auditory Processing Issues are surfacing
Uncontrollable Rage
Age Regression (AJ is 4 but emotionally and mentally 2)
Dyspraxia related problems

Now, it is clearly stated in this article that “that institutional autism is not a medical condition, but rather a description of certain patterns of behavior that look like or are similar to what is observed in children with “real” autism. Some autistic-like behaviors may be, in fact, an adaptive behavior in an institutional setting, but become mal-adaptive in a family situation. And if institutional autism is a learned behavior, than adoptive parents have a hope that their child can learn new behaviors. And, indeed, there are instances when adopted children get rid of behaviors usually associated with the autistic spectrum.”

I have always questioned whether AJ has Organic Autism or if his issues are strictly the result of his time spent in the orphanage, or if his birth mother is to blame. For all I know that could be the real reason (and I am certainly not naive to that). If one would have taken time to visit the blog, or gather background information instead of jump to conclusions and claim I was “jumping on the bandwagon”…they would know our situation. Its nice to know that people do research though…

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