COPING WITH AUTISM MANY MOMS LEFT STRAINING FOR SERVICES.Byline: Rachel Uranga Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. - Eight-year-old Carlos Garcia Carlos Garcia can refer to:
Among a growing number of Ventura County children identified as autistic autistic /au·tis·tic/ (aw-tis´tik) characterized by or pertaining to autism. , Carlos can be a handful - uncooperative, argumentative Controversial; subject to argument. Pleading in which a point relied upon is not set out, but merely implied, is often labeled argumentative. Pleading that contains arguments that should be saved for trial, in addition to allegations establishing a Cause of Action or , unable to connect with others at school, where he hums noisily to himself in class. ``I call him my forever toddler,'' said Andrea Garcia, his mother. ``He doesn't like to do what other children do. They say 'go play' and he doesn't know how to play. He wants to leave the property, count holes in the wall and collect rocks.'' Autism autism (ô`tĭzəm), developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. , a developmental disability developmental disability n. A cognitive, emotional, or physical impairment, especially one related to abnormal sensory or motor development, that appears in infancy or childhood and involves a failure or delay in progressing through the normal that causes individuals to process information differently, often leaves its victims lacking social or language skills. Autistic people often cannot read facial expressions, and many reject social contact, like being cuddled, and they sometimes react violently to change. Loud noises can easily irritate them, as it does Carlos, who will cover his ears and lift his feet from the ground to avoid vibrations from noise. Over the past decade, Ventura County has seen a 300 percent increase in the number of autistic children, with an estimated 801 cases identified, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Bernie Korenstein, director of the Ventura County Special Education Local Area Plan (SELPA SELPA Special Education Local Plan Area ). ``It's the fastest-growing disability we are facing,'' he said. Of those 801, about 25 percent live in Simi Valley and Moorpark, where services from child care to access to teachers trained to handle the special demands of autistic students can be difficult to find. Donna Crawford, mother of 8-year-old Adam Crawford, searched for months before she found day care for her autistic son. ``I went through every listing,'' she said. ``They were not equipped. They didn't have experience.'' She finally was able to place Adam at the YMCA YMCA in full Young Men's Christian Association Nonsectarian, nonpolitical Christian lay movement that aims to develop high standards of Christian character among its members. in Simi Valley. Still, complaints from caretakers often interrupt Crawford at work - such as Adam is being unruly, or Adam is taking off his shirt because it got wet at the drinking fountain. Leaving work early, Crawford said, is not uncommon. ``People have a hard time understanding your child,'' echoed Garcia. ``I was getting calls constantly (from caretakers). He was having a bad day, they would say. When I picked him (up), they were saying that he was arguing, not cooperating, not following directions.'' For parents, there is little relief in sight. ``The increase in autism is causing an increase in demand in services,'' said Steve Graff, director of the Tri-County Regional Center in Simi Valley, which offers referrals to parents. ``And there are only so many people out there that can do that kind of service.'' In California, there are 22,826 people diagnosed with autism. Statewide, the number of autistic children rose nearly 100 percent between 1998 and 2002, according to a report released last year by the California Department of Developmental Services. Locally, school districts are trying to deal with rising numbers as best they can. SELPA, which oversees special education classes countywide, began a program three years ago to train teachers to deal with autistic children. So far, three teachers have been trained and another 70 are going through the program. School districts are reconfiguring classrooms - adding more visual learning tools, which autistic children respond to more easily - to cope with the onslaught, but for many parents, available services still fall short. ``It's the most frustrating thing there is,'' said Garcia, who helps run a once-a-month Simi SIMI Sea Ice Mechanics Initiative SIMI Search for Intelligent Monkeys on the Internet SIMI Students Islamic Movement in India SIMI Society of Irish Motor Industry SIMI Smallholder Irrigation Markets Initiative moms night out for parents of autistic children. ``It's like there is nowhere to go.'' Rachel Uranga, (805) 583-7602 rachel.uranga(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Eight-year-old Carlos Garcia does homework under the supervision of his mother, Andrea Garcia. (2 -- color) Carlos Garcia, who has been diagnosed as autistic, takes a break from schoolwork at home in Simi Valley. (3) Carlos Garcia gets school help from his mother, Andrea. He's among 22,826 people in California diagnosed with autism. Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer |
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