Autism: What You Should Know | Jaxon's Story + Q&A on Autism
6-year-old Jaxon loves to learn about math, play with action figures and spend time with his older brother Isaiah. When he's in the kitchen, Jaxon enjoys helping his mother prepare foods.
"He is one of my best friends," says Jaxon's mother, Aurea Pardo.
Spending time with Jaxon is a joy. But behind his smile and cheerful spirit, the 6 year old has dealt with challenges ever since he was a baby.
"He walked a little later than other children. He didn't start speech until between 2 and a half to 3 years old. He got frustrated a lot when he wanted something and was not able to verbalize it," explains Aurea.
Jaxon lives with autism spectrum disorder. It causes him to have difficulty with social interactions. Clinical Psychologist Jenna Mendelson, PhD, explains this can mean "difficulties with the nonverbal aspects of interaction like gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and difficulties forming and maintaining relationships."
Dr. Mendelson says a psychological evaluation needs to be conducted on a child if a parent has concerns about their development.
"Evaluations should include a detailed developmental history, and that's to establish that those characteristics are there and were there early in childhood," explains Dr. Mendelson. Evaluations also include "a measure of adaptive functioning, which is what a person is able to do on a day-to-day basis."
After Jaxon received an evaluation, he started to receive supportive services.
"It started with speech because he was nonverbal," says Aurea. "But then with him falling a lot, having accidents, it went to them knowing he needed some physical therapy and occupational therapy."
Getting an evaluation and receiving supportive services early is important. "Between the ages of one and three especially, there's a critical neurological window during which early interventions can be exponentially beneficial for kids. So we want to get kids in as early as we can," says Dr. Mendelson.
As Jaxon continues to navigate life with autism, Aurea says she is grateful she recognized her son needed psychological attention.
"You just never stop just because someone says no, if you know your child needs help," Aurea says. That's why she encourages other mothers to always be aware of their child's needs.
Q&A on Autism With a Clinical Psychologist
Licensed Clinical Psychologist Jenna Mendelson, PhD, answers common questions about autism signs, diagnoses and treatments in this 2 Your Well-Being discussion with WFMY News 2.
