Craig Daily Press

Keeping up with autism spectrum disorders hasn’t been an easy task, said LuEtta Loeber,

Yampa Valley Autism Program executive director, but the organization does what it can.

“There are never enough resources,” she said.

The Yampa Valley Autism Program, which is based in Steamboat Springs, provides support for parents and information about the disorder to local physicians, she said.

Means to address the disorder aren’t enough to match the number of children it affects.

“Because the rate of autism and its related disorders (is) escalating so quickly, we absolutely don’t have enough resources,” Loeber said.

Still, parents of children with autism have a place to turn, she said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 150 American 8-year-olds have an autism spectrum disorder. Autism and related disorders are four times more prevalent in boys than in girls, the CDC’s Web site reported.

To date, there is no medical detection or cure for the disorder, YVAP reported.

Loeber and Beth Staunton, YVAP program manager, gave an overview of the disorder during a meeting Thursday night at First Christian Church that about 10 members of the public attended.

Autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities that can vary in severity from mild to severe, according to the CDC.

Autism indicators range from difficulty communicating and, in some cases, not speaking, to tantrums and repetitive motions.

At the Moffat County School District, educational adaptations for students with autism is taken on a case-by case basis, student services director Renae Dove said.

“It’s such an individual decision, especially with this disability because of the broad range,” she said.

The School District also brings in specialists, when needed, to support teachers who have children with autism in their classes.

“We offer a lot of staff training,” Dove said, adding that training opportunities also extend to paraprofessionals who work with children who have disorders along the autism spectrum.

As is the case with other Moffat County students with disabilities, a team of professionals identifies the student to determine what services he or she requires. In some cases, that could include crafting an Individual Education Plan outlining adjustments students need in the classroom.

However, not all students with autism need an IEP.

“Some of high functioning (students) with autism or (who) are on this spectrum, it doesn’t impact their education and they don’t need additional support and services,” Dove said.

It’s not only teachers who may need to make adjustments to meet an autistic child’s need. Parents also have to make adjustments.

“Its very, very difficult for parents to have any free time,” Loeber said, adding that parents of autistic children often need to find a specialized caregiver to supervise their child when they’re away.

YVAP offers a program that gives parents a list of trained caregivers. Parents can use the caregivers’ services for eight hours a month.

Kids Night Out, another YVAP activity, allows parents to drop off their children at the organization’s facility, Loeber said.

A trained staff and a registered nurse are on-hand to care for the child, while parents take some time for themselves, she said.

The YVAP, which works in collaboration with the Yampa Valley Medical Center’s pediatric therapy program, provides scholarships for therapy services for families with autistic children.

The YVAP can also connect parents to professionals, who can determine whether their child has autism.

Loeber cautioned against assuming a child has autism before seeking professional opinion.

“We don’t want to scare these caregivers and families,” she said. “If you think your child may have some of these symptoms, do not panic. Please call us.

“There is help out there for you.”

Bridget Manley can be reached at 875-1795 or bmanley@craigdailypress.com