Graduate Earns Degree Despite Autism
[By Kimberley McGee mcgee@lasvegassun.com, Las Vegas Sun.]
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/do/2000/dec/19/511192595.html
It's not about what Anthony Crudale can't do, it's about what he can.
Diagnosed early with the neurological disorder autism, the 23-year-old
Anthony graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Sunday
with a bachelor of arts degree, a rare feat for a person with autism.
June Groden, director of the Groden Center in Providence, R.I., said
Anthony's graduation is a triumph for an autistic and will become more
common as more children are diagnosed early with the disorder.
Simply put, autism affects the communication area of the brain.
Children tend to show symptoms from a young age, and by 3 are usually not
able to communicate well verbally and tend to focus on repetitive motions.
For Anthony, the signs were that he cried when he was held, and he
focused on the wheels of Matchbox cars.
An autistic person's brain shows large deficits in the area of
communication. Without communication, the ability to learn language and
interact with others is broken down and the autistic child becomes isolated
in his or her own world.
"It is very hard for them to understand the words, so they block it
out," Groden said.
Groden, who has studied autism for 30 years, first encountered Anthony
when Anthony became the first autistic child to enroll in the center in 1979
at 18 months old. She has worked with him over the years.
"He has to work harder to understand because of the autism," Groden
said. "Anthony is able to overcome obstacles and is very disciplined, and
that's what has gotten him to this point."
That and the relentlessness of his mother, Donna Martinez, who knew
when her son was 6 weeks old that something was not quite right with her
baby boy.
"I knew we had to do something for him," she said. "If it wasn't for
the early diagnosis he wouldn't be graduating, or be as highly functional
(as he is)."
Crudale has studied in mainstream classes since the first grade. In
that respect he is among his peers at UNLV.
Then there are the telltale differences. He doesn't look people in
the eye easily. He answers questions from strangers with a stilted "yes" or
"no" and a faint smile. His clear blue eyes flash with curiosity at someone
new who is patient enough to speak with him. He majored in art and is a
marathoner who runs 26 miles in two hours and 20 seconds with the Las Vegas
Track Team.
Groden said the early diagnosis of the disorder helped Crudale
overcome the debilitating effects of autism so that he could lead a somewhat
normal life.
"We don't know the cause (of) autism, but we think maybe getting
(diagnosed) early can effect brain structure," Groden said.
Crudale learned to look people in the eye, understand words and the
objects they were associated with and to verbalize his needs -- hunger,
pain, love.
"We do know early intervention makes a difference," Groden said. "As
in Anthony's case."
Mother's motivation
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Brought to you for your information by the Autism Society of California, ASA. The Autism Society of America (ASA) does not endorse individuals, groups or programs. References regarding programs, meetings, resources, treatment, etc. should not be interpreted as an indication of endorsement by ASA. They are provided for informational purposes only.
Author: Kimberley McGee
Source: Las Vegas Sun
