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community & life The Importance of Detecting Asperger’s Syndrome Early Many children with Asperger’s syndrome (AS) do not display significant delays in the early years of their development. Behavioral and emotional differences in children with AS may manifest in subtle ways that can be difficult for both parents and pediatricians to detect. For instance, children with AS may be unable to easily cope with change. Dr. Michael Clatch In addition, children with this disorder may not actively seek out social interactions with others, including peers. For many parents, these differences in the child’s behavior may go unnoticed as parents may believe that their child is simply developing at his or her own pace. In the absence of significant developmental delays – e.g., difficulty with gross motor skills such as walking or a lack of explicit language by two years of age – the presence of Asperger’s syndrome may go undetected for years. Even though significant developmental delays are often not present for children with Asperger’s syndrome, there are cases in which language development is markedly delayed or children exhibit notably unique challenges in interacting with others. When these issues are detected, parents should immediately seek the help of medical professionals that will be capable of diagnosing their child and recommending services. For many children with AS, early intervention services are recommended as a foundational support to help bridge gaps and reduce deficits. Early intervention is vital to
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improving the child’s long-term prognosis and parents must understand that this type of intervention will be essential to helping the child with AS overcome many of the obstacles they face. Despite the fact that the name “early intervention” suggests intervention that is provided early in the child’s life, many parents seeking early intervention services for their child may not know the purpose, function or importance of these services. Early intervention services for children with AS and other autism spectrum disorders are needed to help reduce the impact of the developmental delay experienced by the child. The impact of developmental delay can be compounded over time and in order to ensure the best possible outcomes for the child reducing this impact is essential. By addressing deficits in language, social interaction and behavior, parents can help their child develop the skills needed to interact successfully with their non-disabled peers. In an effort to illustrate this point, consider the case of “Adam,” a 7-year-old boy that was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of 4. Adam’s parents first noted that he had some deficits in his language development by the age of 3. When Adam started preschool at age 4, he often appeared withdrawn and would not interact with other children in the class. As a result of his social isolation, Adam’s language development continued to lag. In addition, Adam’s cognitive skills were not in line with children in his preschool class. Adam’s diagnosis prompted an immediate recommendation for early intervention services. Supports provided through early intervention included speech therapy, occupational therapy and social skills
North Shore Chamber Music Festival Returns Violinist Vadim Gluzman and pianist Angela Yoffe, founders of the North Shore Chamber Music Festival, bring the benefits of music at all levels to Northbrook and the surrounding area. In its third year, the festival boasts not only a lineup of renowned virtuosos, but education and opportunity. With concerts scheduled for June 5, 7 and 8 at Village Presbyterian Church, this gift of community through music makes an inspirational start to the summer. Northbrook residents themselves, Gluzman and Yoffe are thrilled to share music, not as work, but as a means of reciprocity and celebration for all. “We have deliberately taken down any barriers that might limit this very important exchange between individuals in the audience and those on the stage,” said Gluzman. “Music is, after all, a reciprocal relationship between the people.” Gluzman adds that the festival was founded not simply to do another tour – the real work aspect of their careers – but a heartfelt desire among musicians to share music in a way that celebrates friendship and community. “The theme of our festival is friendship. Nothing gives me more joy than to gather on stage great musicians and wonderful friends. Our friendship is the driving force of our music making.” Festival highlights include an exclusive jazz piano tribute to Oscar Peterson by orchestral conductor Andrew Litton, Arvo Part’s “Mozart-Adagio,” performed by Yoffe and Gluzman along with Mark Kosowser, and an evening of the Russian greats on opening night, including Glinka, Prokofiev and Tchiakovsky. Other featured artists include pianist William Wolfram, violinist Ilya Kaler, cellists Ani Anavoorian, bassist Timothy Cobb and violinist and composer Atar Arad. Also available are educational components and opportunities for young musicians. The audience can watch rehearsals and take part in
post-concert discussions. A June 7 pre-concert lecture by Henry Fogel – former President of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chairman of the Board of the League of American Orchestras, Dean and distinguished professor at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts – is a rare treat. Young artists from the Betty Haag Academy of Music and Music Institute of Chicago are also showcased in a pre-concert performance on June 8. In terms of outreach, the festival helps bring music to those in need via relationships with Lurie Children’s Hospital and Northbrook’s International Center on Deafness and the Arts through Education (ICODA). Yoffe describes her involvement with these institutions as “some of the most amazing experiences in my life. There is so much we take for granted.” Yoffe was moved to tears by watching children at ICODA during a performance of “Over the Rainbow.” The children in these institutions strengthen her and Gluzman’s commitment to the festival, ensuring that the music is made accessible to truly everyone. The event’s location also contributes to their goal of reciprocity. Built in Tudor-Gothic style alongside a creek, Gluzman and Yoffe were attracted to the church right away. The duo is very appreciative of church musical CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
training. Each of these supports was tailored to meet Adam’s unique needs. As a result of early intervention services, Adam was able to enter Kindergarten where he was educated in a mainstream classroom. By the age of 6, Adam had acquired language skills similar to that of his peers. Additionally, Adam had erased the cognitive deficits that had been quite prominent in his preschool years. Although Adam continues to struggle with social interaction, he has been able to essentially catch up to his peers in terms of language development and cognitive skills. Early intervention services made it possible to mitigate the impact of developmental delay such that many of the deficits experienced by Adam have been reversed. The early intervention is applied the better. As such, accurate and early diagnosis can be a boon for both parents and children. The diagnosis of a child with Asperger’s syndrome brings with it many new
May 2013
challenges and a host of information. Parents experiencing this process for the first time may be overwhelmed. Many parents may question the need for services that require children to see specialists several times a week. Even though diagnosis and intervention may be difficult for children and parents, the reality is that early intervention is effective and necessary to help reduce developmental delays. The sooner the delay is addressed, the better the long-term outcomes for the child. Recognizing the benefits of early intervention services may make it easier for parents to support this intervention and to help their children cope with the challenges created as a result of their diagnosis. Dr. Clatch practices at the Courage to Connect Therapeutic Center, 2400 Ravine Way, Suite 600, Glenview. For more info, call 847-347-5757 or visit couragetoconnecttherapy.com.
Recent Happenings
1. Lake Forest-based Ragdale – one of the country’s largest nonprofit artist residency programs – has selected a proposal by Stephen Dietrich Lee of New York and his associates as the winning design for its outdoor installation and performance space. Ragdale solicited contemporary interpretations of Howard Van Doren Shaw’s original Ragdale Ring. The public unveiling is scheduled during a Ragdale benefit on June 15. 2. Northbrook resident Dale Duda, volunteer manager of the Northbrook Farmers Market, was awarded Glenkirk’s 2013 Community Development Award at the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on April 10. Duda was instrumental in helping the organization initiate Glenkirk Farm, in which adult clients plant, tend, harvest, and sell vegetables at their own Northbrook Farmers Market booth.
3. Jessica Steinberg of Northbrook received the National Federation of Independent Business/Lloyd E. Falconer Young Entrepreneur Award. Steinberg is a senior at Glenbrook North High School. The scholarship program is designed to reward and encourage entrepreneurial talents among high school students. 4. Five members of the City of Highwood and Highwood Chamber of Commerce were chosen as panelists at the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2013 National Main Streets Conference, addressing Highwood’s cultural economy and tactics used to revitalize the city through its Celebrate Highwood series of special events. Held April 14-16 in New Orleans’ historical French Quarter, the event featured city officials, key executives, administrators, and Main Street representatives from across the country.