Story Archives of 'Autism'

The number of children diagnosed with this kind of developmental disability keeps rising, here in New Hampshire and nationwide…but no one is really sure why. We’ll explore that question and look also at how autism is diagnosed and treated, and what impact autism has on families, schools and communities.

Guest

• Linda Quintanilha, parent of three children with conditions on the autism spectrum
• Carol Ann Edscorn, autism educator and advocate who also has Asperger Syndrome herself
• Laura Rubin, neuropsychologist at the Portsmouth Neuropsychology Center

We'll also hear from

• Kirstin Murphy, Executive Director of ARCH (Autism Resources for the Community and Home) and Administrative Director for the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder

When Rupert Isaacson’s son Rowan was first diagnosed with autism in 2004, he felt like he’d been hit across the face with a baseball bat. The signs were there: lack of interest with others, not sharing or responding, repetitive movements with objects. And at around 18 months old, Rowan began having rageful tantrums - writhing, earsplitting, seemingly demonic tantrums that would last for hours. Rupert and his wife tried everything - vitamins, doctors, therapies - and then one day, Rupert put little Rowan on the back of a horse.

That’s Rupert Isaacson from the film Over the Hills and Far Away, which will be out in September. The film documents the great lengths the family goes to to communicate with little Rowan -even setting out for a month-long trek across the Mongolian steppes in search of a healer.

The story is told by Rupert Isaacson himself in his memoir The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son,and he joins us from the studios of KUT in Austin, Texas.

Watch a trailer for Over the Hills and Far Away:

And we'll hear about the challenges of being a sibling to an autistic child. Erin Davis, who graduated recently from the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine, produced "Except Me," the story of Andrew Skillings, an 11-year-old with autism, as told through the eyes of his 15-year-old sister, Marissa. Erin's remarkable production earned her the Best New Producer Award at the 2008 Third Coast International Audio Festival.

You tell us: Do you have an experience with autism? Have you sought healing? Wished for a cure? Or do you believe that autism should be respected as a difference? You can call our listener line at 603-223-2448, or click here to send us an email.

The number of people diagnosed with autism has grown tremendously in the past few decades. In the 1970s the rate of autism was about one in 10,000. Now it's about one in 150. But the question of whether autism is indeed spreading is contentious. In fact, so is almost every aspect of the disorder.

Most agree autism is genetic, while some believe it's caused by environmental toxins, especially vaccines. And a third camp believes people with autism should be accepted, and should in fact be proud of being different. They refer to themselves as the "neurodiversity movement."

Andrew Solomon recently wrote about the push for autism rights in New York Magazine, and he joined Word of Mouth to discuss the movement to see autism as a positive identity, not a disability.

(Photo by Norma Desmond)

Jane Hiltz from Goffstown found support and services through the Easter Seals" Autism Network so she could best support her son.