Know Autism – Know Your Child: with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
ABSTRACT:
In both my book and blogs, this work is designed to be an insight into the ‘World of Autism’. A supplemental source dedicated to parents, pediatricians, clinicians, therapists, registered nurses, nurses in training, educators, educators in training, skilled aides, caregivers, scholars, and all persons interested in autism. Knowing autism and knowing your child, as well as knowing yourself, will give you hope and direction, as you journey along the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) highway.
The choice of the word ‘disorder’, attached to the word ‘autism’. comes from the professional’s Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (2013). The DSM-5 is used by clinicians world-wide to define and describe the autism spectrum, in order to prescribe treatment and/or gain the support of insurance companies. When references are made from the DSM-5, the world of autism should become more clearly defined.
With all of my work, my intention is to present information without the intent or suggestion of status or effectiveness. Words such as, ‘intervention’, ‘treatment’, ‘therapy’, ‘service’, or ‘program’ may imply ‘cure’, or ‘long-term’ positive effect. Know that any changes in behavior may be temporary, without consistent follow-up and support. There is no cure for autism. But one may keep working towards a pleasant and productive life.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, associated primarily with the neurological system and the brain. Recognized from early childhood, autism is chiefly characterized by a person’s difficulties with social interaction, and communication, and by their restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior.
CDC Staff Writer (2025) state that there are two main information sources for determining an autism diagnosis. One source is a professional's observation of the child's behavior. The other source is The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which provides standardized criteria to help diagnose ASD.
Lordan, R., Storni, C., et al. (2021) say that currently, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis is conducted mainly by observational screening tools that measure a child’s social and cognitive abilities. That the two main tools used in the diagnosis of ASD are DSM-5 and M-CHAT. Treatment depends on severity and comorbidities, which can include behavioral training, pharmacological use, and dietary supplement. Behavior-oriented treatments include a series of programs that aim to re-condition target behaviors, and develop vocational, social, cognitive, and living skills. However, to date, no single or combination treatments have been able to reverse ASD completely.
Note: DSM-5 is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). This gives mental health professionals a standard classification of mental disorders, which includes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). M-CHAT is a Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers. Parents, or caregivers fill out this 2-stage parent-reporting (yes /no) screening tool of their child’s behavior assesses the likelihood for autism.
Autism involves the whole family. Autism ‘intervention’, as with the phrase ‘Early Detection / Early Intervention’, may simply mean to attempt an ‘action’, or attempt to ‘change a course’ or ‘trajectory’ of the person’s autism. Any expectation for a successful ‘change’ must have the cooperation of the participant, the parent, and/or the assigned therapist.
When one begins to research autism, or tries to understand what their clinician is saying; the result may very well be ‘confusion’. There are many reasons for this. One reason is that autism seems to exist in ‘layers’. A child’s ‘normal’ developmental trajectory can stop and start, twist and turn. Then when autism enters the picture, the ‘normal’ child may seem to fade in and out; or may even disappear completely. Perhaps that child has never really been there at all.
Also, there may be one or more ‘co-morbid’ disorders, which confuse the autism diagnosis. Then, depending on the child’s temperament and personality, he/she may respond to life’s demands differently. They may be willing and able one minute, but unwilling and unable the next. This is not due to indifference, but how autism seems to work. Each child relates, reacts, and responds to their world differently, whether autistic or neurotypical.
The material offered on my website is what I have gathered, researched, and learned as a Special Education Teacher, and the adoptive parent of a young child and adult-child with autism. This is what I consider to be ‘just the beginning’, as you will start to do the work of knowing autism and knowing your child. Added to this, you must also learn to know yourself; your wants, needs, and expectations.
REFERENCES:
CDC Staff Writer (2025). Clinical Testing & Diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Health Care Providers, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Retrieved online from –https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/index.html/
Lordan, R., Storni, C., et al. (2021). Chapter 2: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Diagnosis & Treatment. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved online from – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573609/
Thank you so much for sharing, commenting, and 'liking' on Facebook! Also, please note that my aim is to remove all 'links' from the website. My reasoning is that they may suggest endorsement, and/or may no longer be current. Better that individuals 'search' for desired 'links' in one's specific area of interest and location.
Regards,
Sara Luker
DISCLAIMER
Know Autism – Know Your Child: with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Just to let you know that I, Sara Hayden Luker, have put forth my best efforts in presenting what I have learned about autism, by sharing the resources, stories, and studies of those who have gone before us. Any author’s mention of products, services, treatments, and interventions or actions are not to be considered an endorsement, thereof. Know that to some, autism is an ‘unregulated business’. The content of this website material, digital or in any other form does not represent medical advice; nor does it constitute medical suggestions in any way. The material, including any downloadable parts, is for informational and/or educational purposes only. Your download and/or use of any of this material indicates your acceptance of this disclaimer. No ‘rights’ are given or transferred.
ABSTRACT:
In both my book and blogs, this work is designed to be an insight into the ‘World of Autism’. A supplemental source dedicated to parents, pediatricians, clinicians, therapists, registered nurses, nurses in training, educators, educators in training, skilled aides, caregivers, scholars, and all persons interested in autism. Knowing autism and knowing your child, as well as knowing yourself, will give you hope and direction, as you journey along the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) highway.
The choice of the word ‘disorder’, attached to the word ‘autism’. comes from the professional’s Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (2013). The DSM-5 is used by clinicians world-wide to define and describe the autism spectrum, in order to prescribe treatment and/or gain the support of insurance companies. When references are made from the DSM-5, the world of autism should become more clearly defined.
With all of my work, my intention is to present information without the intent or suggestion of status or effectiveness. Words such as, ‘intervention’, ‘treatment’, ‘therapy’, ‘service’, or ‘program’ may imply ‘cure’, or ‘long-term’ positive effect. Know that any changes in behavior may be temporary, without consistent follow-up and support. There is no cure for autism. But one may keep working towards a pleasant and productive life.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, associated primarily with the neurological system and the brain. Recognized from early childhood, autism is chiefly characterized by a person’s difficulties with social interaction, and communication, and by their restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior.
CDC Staff Writer (2025) state that there are two main information sources for determining an autism diagnosis. One source is a professional's observation of the child's behavior. The other source is The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which provides standardized criteria to help diagnose ASD.
Lordan, R., Storni, C., et al. (2021) say that currently, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis is conducted mainly by observational screening tools that measure a child’s social and cognitive abilities. That the two main tools used in the diagnosis of ASD are DSM-5 and M-CHAT. Treatment depends on severity and comorbidities, which can include behavioral training, pharmacological use, and dietary supplement. Behavior-oriented treatments include a series of programs that aim to re-condition target behaviors, and develop vocational, social, cognitive, and living skills. However, to date, no single or combination treatments have been able to reverse ASD completely.
Note: DSM-5 is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). This gives mental health professionals a standard classification of mental disorders, which includes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). M-CHAT is a Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers. Parents, or caregivers fill out this 2-stage parent-reporting (yes /no) screening tool of their child’s behavior assesses the likelihood for autism.
Autism involves the whole family. Autism ‘intervention’, as with the phrase ‘Early Detection / Early Intervention’, may simply mean to attempt an ‘action’, or attempt to ‘change a course’ or ‘trajectory’ of the person’s autism. Any expectation for a successful ‘change’ must have the cooperation of the participant, the parent, and/or the assigned therapist.
When one begins to research autism, or tries to understand what their clinician is saying; the result may very well be ‘confusion’. There are many reasons for this. One reason is that autism seems to exist in ‘layers’. A child’s ‘normal’ developmental trajectory can stop and start, twist and turn. Then when autism enters the picture, the ‘normal’ child may seem to fade in and out; or may even disappear completely. Perhaps that child has never really been there at all.
Also, there may be one or more ‘co-morbid’ disorders, which confuse the autism diagnosis. Then, depending on the child’s temperament and personality, he/she may respond to life’s demands differently. They may be willing and able one minute, but unwilling and unable the next. This is not due to indifference, but how autism seems to work. Each child relates, reacts, and responds to their world differently, whether autistic or neurotypical.
The material offered on my website is what I have gathered, researched, and learned as a Special Education Teacher, and the adoptive parent of a young child and adult-child with autism. This is what I consider to be ‘just the beginning’, as you will start to do the work of knowing autism and knowing your child. Added to this, you must also learn to know yourself; your wants, needs, and expectations.
REFERENCES:
CDC Staff Writer (2025). Clinical Testing & Diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Health Care Providers, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Retrieved online from –https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/index.html/
Lordan, R., Storni, C., et al. (2021). Chapter 2: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Diagnosis & Treatment. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved online from – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573609/
Thank you so much for sharing, commenting, and 'liking' on Facebook! Also, please note that my aim is to remove all 'links' from the website. My reasoning is that they may suggest endorsement, and/or may no longer be current. Better that individuals 'search' for desired 'links' in one's specific area of interest and location.
Regards,
Sara Luker
DISCLAIMER
Know Autism – Know Your Child: with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Just to let you know that I, Sara Hayden Luker, have put forth my best efforts in presenting what I have learned about autism, by sharing the resources, stories, and studies of those who have gone before us. Any author’s mention of products, services, treatments, and interventions or actions are not to be considered an endorsement, thereof. Know that to some, autism is an ‘unregulated business’. The content of this website material, digital or in any other form does not represent medical advice; nor does it constitute medical suggestions in any way. The material, including any downloadable parts, is for informational and/or educational purposes only. Your download and/or use of any of this material indicates your acceptance of this disclaimer. No ‘rights’ are given or transferred.
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