Expert says violence among people with autism rare

From the Akron Beacon Journal in Ohio:

The teenage autistic son of Kent State University professor Gertrude Steuernagel was charged with her tragic beating death last month. The attack occurred Jan. 29; Steuernagel died Feb. 6 at Akron City Hospital from injuries suffered in the beating.

But an expert on the disorder says this type of violence is rare, and as diagnoses of autism continue to rise, there are other pressing issues to focus on.

Barbara Yavorcik, executive director of the Autism Society of America, Ohio Chapter, said when her son was diagnosed with autism 17 years ago, the disorder affected 4 or 5 in 10,000 births. Today it's 1 in 150 births. And the society says the prevalence of autism will continue to rise — potentially reaching 4 million in the next decade. That's more than the combined population of Nebraska and West Virginia.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that usually appears during the first three years of life, and its cause is unknown. It affects the normal functioning of the brain, which can make it difficult to communicate or socialize.

Not everyone who has autism is affected in the same way. Some are mildly impaired. A man with autism in Mississippi landed a job with the National Weather Service after earning his master's degree in meteorology.

Then there are others who are severely nonverbal, which can be the root of great frustration.

''Imagine if you had a migraine but you had no way to communicate that you were in severe pain. People kept coming after you to try to get you to interact and all you wanted to do was get some medication and feel better,'' Yavorcik said. ''Imagine how you would react.''

In an editorial posted on KentNewsNet.com, Steuernagel wrote last year that as much as she longed for it, she had never had a conversation with her son, Sky Walker. Instead, she connected with actions or short phrases.

''I know he doesn't need to ask if I love him. When we've had a bad day, Sky says, 'swap me.' I say 'I'll never swap you. I'm going to keep you forever and ever.' ''

In her writings, the 60-year-old hinted at the problems she was having with her teenage son.

''I couldn't be a friend to anyone because I physically and emotionally could not be there for them. I had no patience with good and decent colleagues who told me how busy they were. Busy? Try spending an evening sitting in a closet with your back to the door trying to hold it shut while your child kicks it in.''

Still, a good mother takes care of her child. And that's what Steuernagel did for her son. She loved him, unconditionally. And she learned a lot from raising a child with a disability.

''Even on the worst of days, Sky would find something to enjoy, even if it lasted less than 30 seconds. So I started to look for my joy,'' she wrote.

While those with autism might have difficulty communicating and are often hypersensitive to normal environmental influences like sound and touch, it's rare that they are so violent.

''This type of violence is no more prevalent in the autistic population than in any other population,'' said Yavorcik of the case with Sky Walker. ''And people should not be afraid.''

cientists and medical doctors have been aggressively studying the cause for autism.

''Is it the environment? Perhaps some. Is it better diagnostics? Perhaps some,'' added Yavorcik, whose 20-year-old son works in a grocery store in Toledo.

The additive thimerosal, which contains mercury, was even removed a few years back from vaccines to address concerns that it might be causing the rise in autism. But as people continue to argue the issue, a study released last year said it made no difference. Cases continue to rise.

For those with autism who act inappropriately, medication and behavior therapy can control some behaviors. Yavorcik says early diagnosis and intervention is key for a more positive outcome for those with autism.