More Mississippians with Autism Means Increased Call for Better Training & Treatment

Nearly 400 teachers, parents and health officials are gathered in Jackson this week to learn how to help autistic children to better communicate verbally.

One in every 150 children in Mississippi will be diagnosed with autism. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports there's a new effort to help educators recognize and deal with autistic children.

Withdrawn behavior and limited eye contact are problems associated with autistic children. But for Shonna Jordan of Pontotoc, the concern is not being able to verbally communicate with her autistic son.

“When we’re in Wal-Mart sometimes it’s difficult for him to communicate when he has to go to the restroom. When he begins to get frustrated at times he will scream or cry. And those frustrations even though parents of typical children, they have tantrums etc. they’re nowhere near what a child with NIDS has.”

Experts say children with Nero Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, or autism, can learn to communicate verbally. This week autism expert Dr. Vincent Carbone, of New York is teaching his technique at a workshop in Jackson.

“Basically the methods are, first of all the treatment of language as though it’s a behavior. Once we make that decision then we start to use things like reinforcement, extinction, motivation and some of the other principles of behavior to overcome the language deficits of children with autism.”

Alcorn County Kindergarten teacher, Susanne Scruggs finds the information invaluable and is anxious to share what she's learned.

“Because if I teach a student we can communicate but I can’t give him to you. So I have to teach the bus drivers, lunch room ladies, brothers and sisters to better understand them and communicate with them.”

Education officials say the need for expanding programs is one of their top priorities because of the significant rise in the number of autistic children. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.