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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (March 24, 2017)
FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2017 THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5 Local — SPOTLIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH — The Autism Spectrum BY SUNNY WERNER Sunny@TheBakerCountyPress.com As described by the Mayo Clinic, “Autism Spectrum Disorder is a serious neurodevelopmen- tal disorder that impairs a child’s ability to com- municate and interact with others. It also includes restricted repetitive behav- iors, interests and activi- ties. “These issues cause significant impairment in social, occupational and other areas of functioning.” As any parent of a child with autism will tell you, “If you have met one child with autism, you have met one child with autism.” Autism presents in as many different ways as there are people who are affected by it. Societal un- derstanding of people with autism has improved dra- matically with the efforts of assorted groups such as Autism Speaks and the Na- tional Autism Committee to increase understanding of the disorder. However, mere knowl- edge that there is a disorder and a general understand- ing that people with autism act in ways that differ from society’s standards does not prepare the general public to deal with those who have autism. Autism spectrum disor- der (ASD) is now defined by the American Psychiat- ric Association’s Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM- 5) as a single disorder that includes disorders that were previously considered separate—autism, Asperg- er’s syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. The term “spectrum” in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. On one end of the spec- trum are people who might have some milder social disabilities, some less in- tense behaviors, an ability to interact with others in more socially appropriate ways than others who are further toward the other end of the spectrum. Some people with ASD are exceptionally intel- ligent. Many have spe- cialized interests or skills which far outreach those of average people. There are lists of famous people who had, or are suspected of having, a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. At the other end of the spectrum are people who are completely non-verbal, unable to communicate without the help of assis- tive devices. Some are combative. Some are unable to live without full-time assis- tance, and need round the clock staff available to meet their needs. Some families have more than one child with autism, and each child may be totally different in their needs and skills. The stresses on the fami- lies of children with autism are immense, however many children they have. Siblings must learn to live with their sibling’s behaviors, and the reac- tions of schoolmates and neighborhood kids. Parents must spend extra time helping their child with special needs, and obtaining the best therapies and interventions is time consuming and can be frustrating. The entire family is involved in obtaining the help needed, and this can put severe stress on the children who don’t have special needs. For all this, often chil- dren who have siblings with special needs are able to be accepting and loving towards their brother or sister, and can be great resources throughout their lives. Unlike children who don’t undergo these stress- ors, the hardships can build strong character and teach hard lessons that others may never learn. Parents who include their children in their routine trips into the community must prepare themselves for the reactions of others. Most parents have experienced difficult situ- ations with their children in public, but parents with kids on the spectrum must steel themselves for any and everything. Just seeing a toy or desired item can be enough to send a child with autism into a state of increased autistic behaviors, includ- ing the inability to move on without the item. Tantrums may occur, along with screaming, hitting and out of control running. These behaviors are not the same as a two year old who is having a temper tantrum. The reactions of others can make the situation more difficult for both par- ent and child. Judgemental statements and disapproving looks are of little use when a par- ent is trying to help their child regain a state of self control. The best response for a bystander is to remain quiet and, once the parent is able to hear them, ask if there is anything they can do to help. Autism is better under- stood now than in previous years, but the actual cause is still unknown. Many theories exist, the major- ity of which have been dismissed or disproved. There is a large con- tingent who believe that autism is caused by the combination vaccines that are administered typically within the child’s second or third year of life. Others dismiss this as unscientific, and claim there is a genetic compo- nent. Still others have thought that actions of the parent have lead to the diagnosis, or that an unidentified environmental element is the cause. Whatever is finally de- termined to cause autism, the increase in diagnoses has been tremendous in the past few decades. In the year 2000, the re- ported incidence of autism spectrum disorder was 1 in 150. Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide this information: “About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disor- der (ASD) according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Fender-bender becomes meth arrest On March 16, 2017 at about 6:32 a.m. Officer Coleton Smith responded to the Baker Truck Corral for the report of a vehicle having hit a pole. Officer Smith was able to identify the driver of the 1993 Nissan Altima as 26 year-old Jace Prowell of Baker City. During Officer Smith’s investigation he saw drug para- phernalia in plain sight, which led to a further investiga- tion. Ultimately Officer Smith located and seized a small amount of Methamphetamine and other drug parapherna- lia. Prowell was transported to the Baker County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Meth- amphetamine. A subsequent search warrant of the vehicle is pending. Stock Photo. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Starting last month and ending in April, The Baker County Press is running a six-part series on the subject of mental health, two articles per month leading up to May. Written in installments by various reporters, the series will address both well-known and lesser known mental illnesses, their symptoms, how they affect individuals and families, and methods for treatment. ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. ASD is about 4.5 times more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189).” Important to remember is that, while the numbers ap- pear to be increasing dra- matically (leading many to assume there is an environ- mental component), there is also a far more educated medical community who is now able to identify cases of autism which may have been previously undiag- nosed. This is not to say that the increase in identified cases is merely due to the better understanding within the medical field; until the actual causes of autism spectrum disorder are identified there is no way to know why so many more kids are receiving the diagnosis. The effects of autism spectrum disorder reach beyond the immediate family. Early Intervention programs are available to assist parents in teaching their kids with autism and preparing them for the school years. Schools offer a variety of special education pro- grammes tailored to meet the needs of their students who have autism. Advocacy groups are available to help parent and teachers work to- gether to develop the best programme for each child. Work programs exist in most regions to offer safe and protected job opportu- nities to some of those with special challenges. Some community part- ners work with special pro- grammes to hire employees who have autism and are capable of fulfilling their work requirements. However, there are still many adults who have autism spectrum disor- der who fall through the cracks. Behaviors of someone who has autism may look suspicious, or even threat- ening if there is a situation in which they feel scared or uncomfortable. Law enforcement is trained to recognize the signs of a person who has autism, but in the event of an escalating and danger- ous situation there is a pos- sibility that the responding officers may not be able to take the time to identify the special needs. The same is true in the event of fire, or any dan- gerous situation in which a person with autism may find themselves. The change from routine can be completely disori- enting to someone who has ASD, and their normal coping skills may not be able to adjust to keep them safe. There is the likelihood that they may “freeze” and be unable to move themselves to safety, or that they may run towards danger rather than away. In their panic, they may also endanger first re- sponders who are trying to help them. There are many organi- zations available to help families and children who are affected by ASD. The National Autism As- sociation has toolkits and information available from their website for families, individuals, schoolteachers and communities. They have a large body of research available to read free online. Closer to home are the state organizations, such as the Autism Society of Or- egon and Oregon Council on Developmental Dis- abilities, along with many more. Local branches of larger organizations also are available to provide infor- mation and assistance to families. The Autism Society of Oregon has local support groups and can help access aid to families with kids on the spectrum. Finally, some words from the mother of four adopted children who each have autism: “To hear a little boy who, when he was first brought to us, sat in a corner and screamed while he tore the skin off his face, be able to tell me he loves me; who reminds me, 26 years later, when our adoption anniversary is coming up —that is worth it all. “To see my beautiful daughter laughing with her siblings, snuggling with me, telling me how much she loves me (and trains!), that is worth every one of my fears. “These kids are different, yes. Less? Oh, no. They offer us the opportunity to see our world from their perspective and, if we look with them, we can see their rainbows.” Assault reported up Elk Creek On March 15, 2017 at 6:10 p.m., Baker County Consolidated Dispatch received a 911 call of a female being assaulted by a male subject off of Elk Creek Road near Hwy. 7. The reporting person told dispatch the female appeared to be unconscious and was lying in a ditch next to Elk Creek Road. Photo Courtesy of the The reporting party left Baker County Sheriff’s Office. the area because the male James Blitch. suspect came at them with a rock. A detailed descrip- tion of the male suspect was given. The reporting party wanted to remain anonymous. Oregon State Troopers, Baker City Fire Department and Baker County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the area in an attempt to locate the injured female and the male suspect. The female involved in the assault was not located in the Elk Creek area but was found by Deputies in Baker City; she did not require medical attention and gave a statement about the altercation. The male suspect was identified as James Robert Blitch (46) of Baker City; he was taken into custody by a Sher- iff’s Deputy for an unrelated charge at Main and Valley in Baker City. He was arrested on a Detainer that had been issued by the Baker County Parole and Probation Office and was lodged in the Baker County Jail. The assault incident is still under investigation. Shed fire causes damage On March 15 at 7:43 p.m. Baker City Fire Department (BCFD) responded to a reported structure fire in a home located at 2135 Auburn St. Upon arriving BCFD personnel found a small fire in a shed to the rear of the garage. Firefighters were met by the occupant Joel Davis who said he found the fire after a circuit breaker tripped. When he went outside to inves- tigate he found the fire. Mr. Davis used a garden hose to extinguish most of the fire. Firefighters pulled away portions of the shed to search for any hidden fire. Occupant Megan Pelcha was also home at the time of the fire. The home is owned by Trish Brinton. Units Assigned: BCFD Engine 2431 and Command 2472; Assisting Agencies: None; Personnel Assigned: 3 Civilian Injuries: None ; Civilian Deaths: None ; Fire Per- sonnel Injured: None ; Fire Personnel Deaths: None ; Time on scene: 45 minutes ; Estimated Property Value: $55,000 Estimated Property Lost: $2,000 ; Estimated Contents Value: $3,000 ; Estimated Contents Lost: $2,000 ; Estimat- ed Total Property and Contents Value Saved: $54,000 MP306 arrest CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Oregon State Police and the Baker County Sheriff’s Department began a search of the area for the driver, who was presumed to be on foot. Thermal scanning was utilized in the dark from the freeway, around Hwy. 30 below, and with a focus on the area including the road leading to the City dump, Sutton Creek and the highway to the City Limits. Residents of that area were advised to lock their homes and vehicles as a precautionary measure. The driver was not located that night. The next morning, however, residents reported seeing a solitary man who appeared cold and wet walking, pos- sibly hitchhiking, and called Dispatch. Arrested was the driver in the accident, James William Wallace of Bellevue, Washington, on an outstanding warrant. Wallace was also taken to St. Alphonsus Medical Center—Baker City for treatment of a lower leg injury sustained during the accident. Strangely, the stolen truck and trailer towed from the accident caught fire in the tow yard the next day.