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Lost in Translation: Autism Is Tough to Diagnose and Treat – and for Immigrant Families, It Can Be Impossible

A A A Comments (10) By Malia Politzer Thursday, Sep 10 2009

...continued from page 6

She cried a lot. Then — after nearly a year of therapy — Leo had a breakthrough. One day, he began to play with a variety of toys in a therapy session. He responded to people. It was as though someone had flipped on a switch, and suddenly he wanted to learn.

Now a lively 7-year-old, Leo has proved many of DDD's initial predictions wrong. He can go to the bathroom on his own, dress himself, and play with toys. He's even learning to prepare his favorite foods. Although he still can't talk on his own, he communicates quite well through a speech device — a computer that talks for him. And he hugs and kisses his parents.

Michael Ratcliff

Speech therapist Joanne McIntyre works with 5-year-old Javier Acosta while his mother, Thelma, looks on.

Michael Ratcliff

Thelma Acosta and her two children, 8-year-old Jessica and 5-year-old Javier.

Details

Phoenix Groups
Grupo de Apoyo para Latinos con Autismo (GALA)
A Spanish-language support group for the parents of children with autism.
http://arizonagala.org/.
Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC)
SARRC has many resources for Spanish-speaking parents.
www.autismcenter.org/
National Groups
Autism Speaks
A national autism advocacy and research organization: www.autismspeaks.org
Autism Society of America
Provides information, education, supports research, programs and services for the autism community. www.autism-society.org
For a complete list of resources about autism (in English and Spanish), visit: resources link.

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"That first day I cried," says Catalan. "I just thanked God because finally my child is starting to discover the world."

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karla 11/12/2009 6:26:00 AM

I'm %100 sure, that whoever wrote those harsh comments have never experienced to have a son with Autism, it breaks your heart every minute every day & night! so pls everybody show some sympathy to Autistic children! dont be so harsh! it doesnt matter if illegal or citizens!

Stephanie 10/04/2009 7:09:00 PM

I can certainly empathize with these families and their children, however, it seems to me that a lot of their plight would be easily solved if they would bother to learn the friggin' language of the country they've decided to take up residency in. I have no qualms with immigration (I'm a first generation citizen myself) but what does bother me are the people that live here and choose not to learn the language and yet they expect to be catered to based on their laziness and unwillingness to learn. I'm a little tired of pressing one for English...

Bob 09/26/2009 11:52:00 PM

Awesome article! Kudos to Malia! The families that have these challenges deserve everyones support. I have worked with children with autism and they are great kids! Good work!

Scott 09/16/2009 2:53:00 AM

Autism is a horrible disorder and I empathize with the victims and families. That's why I propose that the illegals be given opportunity to sign a release of medical records form before they are promptly deported, thus facilitating continuity of care. The healthcare provider listed on the form can then fax those records to Mexico's Health Dept. This is an appropriate level of care for anything less than a life-threatening emergency.

Leyla 09/15/2009 10:46:00 PM

if they are here and legal, almost all dr's offices have a spanish speaking person there to translate. you will get help and yes sometimes it will take time. as for undocumented and illegal immigrants....you come here expecting the world handed to you and get surprised when you actually have to ask for it in english.... doesn't charity start at home? why are there still thousands of AMERICANS who can't afford health care and we are all expected to feel bad when non americans don't get it?

Fascist 09/14/2009 7:40:00 PM

Kill em all.

J 09/14/2009 5:38:00 PM

Wow! I'm guessing these are the people that also call themselves Christians? What happened to love thy neighbor as thyself? Glad to hear how much hate there still is out there

Jeff 09/10/2009 10:12:00 PM

How heart-breaking that illegal aliens don't get the finest of health-care here for their children. I'm sure they would prefer Mexico's social services better. Send them home for treatment.

Hank Hill 09/10/2009 8:32:00 PM

Hey moron, can you effin read? The story is about how the undocumented AND United States born Americans who happen to be Hispanic/Latino/Spanish speaking aren't getting diagnosed with or treated for autism. So who exactly is getting catered to? Idiot. Do everyone - especially the gene pool - a favor and chug some Jack Daniels then go to sleep in some snow; please.

Lynda 09/10/2009 5:33:00 AM

and again, we are catering to illegals. I understand their predicament and autism is a terrible thing, but we have children here in our own country who are american citizens and can't get help. Let the illegals go back where they came from and seek the help from THEIR government...stop coming into our country and expecting us to bow down to you...learn to speak the language, learn to work and pay taxes, become a U.S. citizen...otherwise go to your own country and ask them for help..