This legacy story comes from a family involved with the Up to 3 Early Intervention program at the CPD.  It is written by Dax’s mother, Jill Drysdale.

Dax Drysdale

Looking back I am unsure what would have been the first sign that would have indicated a need to be concerned for my sweet little Dax. Would it have been the constant colic? Would it be the way he resisted being held for comfort? I am not sure what could have been my first sign for concern, but I do remember the moment when I knew there was much reason for concern.

It was a beautiful Spring afternoon and I was being allotted a little bit of peace while my two boys who were ages 3 and 22 months were nicely playing in their room. I chose to use my free time flipping through the channels on the television when I landed on the Oprah Winfrey show. The show was on Autism. I watched these mothers tell their stories, and describe their heartache for their children. I found myself in tears as I felt that I could relate with the many stories they were sharing. I thought of myself with my relationship with my 22 month old Dax. At the end of the program they posted on the screen the red flags for autism. If your child has any of these red flags consider having them screened for autism it said. I read as it listed things such as no babbling by 12 months , no putting two words together by 2, no pointing, does not respond to name, limited eye contact, inappropriate toy play, and repetitive behaviors. As I read over the list my heart just about jumped from my chest as I realized Dax displayed all of them except for the inappropriate toy play. By the next morning I knew it was time to have him seen and I contacted the Early Intervention Up to 3 program at USU.

When I had mentioned to people in my life that I was concerned Dax had Autism, they all comforted me with their words that they were sure that was not the case. Which, instead of comforting me, actually made me feel crazy that no one would believe me that something was not right. As I made that phone call and was greeted by the Up to 3 staff who then went through a questionnaire with me, I finally felt heard as this person on the end of the line did not think I was crazy to be concerned. I could hear it in her kind voice.

I was then visited in my home for an evaluation for my child by a nurse, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, and an autism specialist. Each individual who visited with me seemed knowledgeable, kind, and most of all concerned with finding out exactly where Dax was and what was needed to help him. They let me know that they did not test for Autism, but would be giving him his services based on where he was developmentally. The results were a little shocking. He was much more behind than I had realized. They offered placement in a program offered through Up to 3 at the Center for Persons with Disabilities.  It was a preschool-like setting that helped children who showed autistic like tendencies called the ABC program. We also received other amazing services such as having a service coordinator, a speech therapist, and an occupational therapist come into our home and work with our family.

I never could have imagined that these individuals who stepped in my home those first days for their evaluations would end up feeling like a family to me. They were able to help my child, and teach me the skills I needed to help him the way he needed help. They not only offered me the tools I needed for him, but the support I personally needed to get through what I learned was truly a grieving process as Dax was officially diagnosed with Autism and I realized I was no longer sure what to expect for his future. I never would have been able to help give him the gift of the amazing progression he has been able to make without those individuals, and the Up to 3 program.

We currently are involved in the ASSERT program, a preschool classroom for children with autism,  also located within the CPD and are happy that the stellar services we received within the up to 3 program are also carried out through all programs we have been involved with at the Center for Persons with Disabilities.

If self-employment is your goal, the Utah Assistive Technology Foundation (UATF)  is offering a two-part accessible webinar series that will provide you with information that you need to make your self-employment dreams become a reality.

These accessible web-based meetings are offered by the Washington Assistive Technology Foundation in coordination with the UATF.  The two-part webinar series will be held on May 19 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Part I: An Introduction to Micro-Enterpreneurship, and the Realities of Self-Employment, and on May 26 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Part II:  The Basics of Business Planning.

To register, you can phone:  435-797-2025 or Toll Free: 800-524-5152, or you can email: Lois Summers at lois.summers@usu.edu.

The UATF works with the Utah MicroEnterprise Loan Fund to help Utahns with disabilities of employment age, offering low-interest loans to start or expand a small business. 

If you are in need of assistive technology devices, home modifications or adapted vans, the UATF can also help you.  The UATF partners with Zions bank to offer low-interest loans to purchase hearing aids, wheelchairs, augmentative communication, Braille notetakers, print enlargers, scooters, home modications and adapted vans.

The UATF is a private, non-profit organization that works through the Utah Assistive Technology Program at the CPD to provide low-interest loans to individuals with disabilities to obtain the assistive technology devices and services they need to communicate, complete daily tasks, succeed in inclusive classrooms, work competitively, and participate in community activities. 

Over the years, the UATF has been able to help hundreds of Utahns with disabilities of all ages obtain loans to purchase the assistive technology that allows them to be independent, productive and successful at home, at school, at work and in the community.

Current research shows that one in every 110 individuals is diagnosed each year with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and that number is rising steadily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability, more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. Recent studies done by the CDC have shown that there was a staggering 57 percent increase of children identified with autism from 2002 to 2006, and a 600 percent increase in just the past 20 years.

Last week, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a statement regarding the designation of April as the National Autism Awareness Month. “During National Autism Awareness Month, we reflect on an urgent public health challenge and rededicate ourselves to addressing the complex needs of people with autism and their families.”

Autism – or more precisely the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) – represents a broad group of developmental disorders that can significantly impair social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication, and behavior.  ASDs affect each person in different ways, and can range from being very mild to severe. They begin before the age of three and last throughout a person’s life, although symptoms may improve over time.

The root cause of autism is still unknown and there is no conclusive scientific evidence to indicate that there is something very specific that can be linked to causing it.  While there is not a cure, autism is treatable. Children do not “outgrow” autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes.

Parents need to be aware of the symptoms of autism, which can be seen in a child as young as 18 months old.

The CDC Learn the Signs-Act Early Campaign provides an in-depth list of the early symptoms of ASD and “red flags” to watch for.

If parents suspect that their child may have ASD they should contact their local physician to request a developmental screening.  Depending on the age of the child, this may be done by an Early Intervention program (serving infants and toddlers, birth to age three) or the local school district (serving children with disabilities from three to age 21).

Take time this month to learn more about autism so you can support the individuals and families who face the challenges that come with ASD.

CPD Director Bryce Fifield congratulates faculty fellow Thomas Higbee.

Six CPD Faculty Fellows were honored at a reception during Research Week at Utah State University earlier this month. Each of the fellows are  from other parts of the Utah State University campus, and they bring real-world experience to their students through their relationships with the CPD.

Members of this group employ and teach students and trainees in CPD programs, giving practical experience and/or jobs to 13 graduates and more than 33 undergraduates. They conduct research and provide services to people with disabilities and their families.

A Facebook photo album offers a look at the event.

Vicki Simonsmeier

Vicki Simonsmeier recently received the Louis M. DiCarlo Award from the Utah Speech Language and Hearing Association. The honor recognized her for advancement of knowledge in clinical practices in audiology or speech language pathology.

You can read more about the award in stories from the Utah State Today and the Utah Statesman.

Simonsmeier is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. She is also a Faculty Fellow at the CPD. She directs the Pediatric Feeding Clinic, an interdisciplinary clinic in cooperation with the CPD, URLEND program, Dr. Dennis Odell, Nutrition and Psychology programs. She also leads the Social Language Group for children with autism, in cooperation with Dr. Odell and the clinical faculty in the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education department.