April is autism awareness month. Since autism is a disorder often seen concurrent with NF 1, it is our hope that the information below will promote understanding and awareness of ASD, both in conjunction with, and separate from, NF 1.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. (Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928)
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects every race, gender, socio-economic background, and has no outward visual signs. Some of the behaviors associated with autism include delayed learning, and expression of, language; difficulty making and maintaining eye contact; poor motor skills; sensory processing sensitivities; difficulty with reasoning and planning; and narrow, intense interests. Please note, these are just a few of the issues a person on the spectrum may face every day.
Making this a bit more personal, many of our blog readers are aware that I am the grandma of a young teen with NF 1. What many of you may not know is that he also is autistic. On any one given day, it is often difficult to say which is the dominant disorder. That scenario makes the information in the JAMA Psychiatry article quoted below seem pretty important.
It has been noted that NF 1 (neurofibromatosis type 1) and autism are often seen in the same patient. “NF1 is caused by mutations in a single gene” said first author Stephanie M. Morris, MD, an instructor in neurology. “Our research indicates that this single gene also is associated with autism spectrum disorders in these same patients.”
(JAMA Psychiatry October 19, 2016)
Look for a discussion of current research here in the near future!
And I would like to leave you with one thought that I believe also applies to those affected by NF 1 and ASD taken from The Joy of Autism------
The Definition of a Hero
A child, or adult with special needs, who puts his feet on the floor every morning, ready to try again.