• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Health / Medicine / Report finds thousands of Iowans have autism spectrum disorder (audio)

Report finds thousands of Iowans have autism spectrum disorder (audio)

September 4, 2015 By Matt Kelley

Elizabeth Delsandro

Elizabeth Delsandro

A new federal report estimates as many as 8,000 Iowans have what’s referred to as ASD, or autism spectrum disorder. The report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the prevalence may now be one in every 68 children.

Liz Delsandro is a clinical professor in the University of Iowa’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and she specializes in the treatment of children with the disorder. Delsandro says ASD isn’t always obvious but it can be identified.

Delsandro says, “It really characterizes itself as challenges in communications skills, challenges in socially interacting with others and also what is termed repetitive behaviors.” Children with autism may play with their toys differently, she says, instead of using their imaginations like other kids, they may line toys up.

Before a child is diagnosed with ASD, several professionals — including psychologists, educators and speech language pathologists — may have to become involved in watching and assessing the child.

“They present tasks, such as play tasks, and they do a lot of observation of behavior,” Delsandro says. “How does that particular child interact with that person in the play situation and interact with the toys in the play situation.” Research is finding that some treatment techniques can reduce the severity of autism, she says, if they’re implement with integrity.

“There are treatments that have evidence based behind them,” Delsandro says. “What’s exciting is there’s more research and more money behind the research in the area of autism to find those best practices, best approaches to treat children with autism.”

Next weekend, a fundraising dinner and auction is planned in Iowa City for the UI’s Wendell Speech and Hearing Clinic. Proceeds from the September 11th event will help fund clinical programs that provide services and support to Iowans who have speech and communications disorders.

For details, send email to Amy Behrens at [email protected]

Audio: Matt Kelley interview with Delsandro. 4:48

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, News

Featured Stories

Exhibit features lesser known works of Grant Wood

Testing finds 21 new CWD cases in deer

It may become a crime in Iowa to use fake urine in workplace drug tests

February trending 18 degrees below average temperature

Iowa House Education Committee votes to end tenure at UI, ISU, UNI

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Confusion at MVC Tournament as UNI exits prior to quarterfinal round game

Iowa State looks to avoid winless Big-12 season

New look and new format at girls’ state basketball

Youngstown State takes action against assistant football coach

Iowa’s Jack Nunge lost for the season

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC