AutismOregon.org

A story on http://npr.org peaked my interest on a medical doctor named T. Berry Brazelton. He created a Touchpoint system by which 3 categories of children (three age groups starting at 0-3) exhibit basic stages of childhood often from the point of view of the child.

What interested me what his background, decades ago, in autism. Dr. Brazelton realized there was something going on where there are more kids with obesity, autism, and general dysfunction. His book, Touchpoints the Essential Reference: Your Child's Emotional and Behavioral Development, gives some information and strategies.

Upon googling Dr. Brazelton, I found that he is part of the CDC/ICDL Working Group that is generating new guidelines for earlier autism identification. He claims:

"This report is important to the future of children and families all over the country," said Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, founder of the Child Development Unit at Children's Hospital Boston and the Touchpoints Center and member of the CDC-ICDL Working Group. "Without it, many adults would be thrust on our society with untreated autism that might have been effectively treated had intervention been started early in their childhood. We know that the earlier in childhood --or even in infancy-- treatment begins, the more likely people affected by autism can adapt to society and the workplace."

An interesting angle: let's ensure children are identified so that they can at least have a shot at getting appropriate treatment and help. As we are all keenly aware, the childhood autism explosion will eventually lead to an adult explosion. At that point assistance, treatment, and funding decrease.

For more information see:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10098366
http://www.the-parenting-guide.com/blogs/child-development/2007/04/touch...
http://pluk.mt.typepad.com/pluk_news_feed/2007/04/new_guidelines_.html