Photo submitted tp Times Observer Paul A. Bensur, Jr. PhD, LPC, author of the book, “Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A New Outlook”, with Mandie Englert, one of the facilitators at HEROES.

Paul A. Bensur, Jr. PhD, LPC, spoke to HEROES at the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center about the Autism spectrum and how it has changed throughout the years.

HEROES is a support group for parents with children with disabilities.

Bensur is a licensed professional counselor with a practice in Crawford County and the author of “Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A New Outlook.”

Bensur has been studying Autism since 1987, although the diagnoses of Autism wasn’t really around until 1994 when the DSM IV was published. DSMs are used to diagnose mental disorders.

The DSM IV was where Autism began to be identified. You had to be diagnosed when you were younger than 36-months-old and there were six different disorders on the spectrum.

The DSM V was adopted in 2012 and changed the Autism diagnoses. This was where the currently used term “on the spectrum” came about. Three of the previously diagnosed disorders were removed as well as the requirement to be less than 36-months-old to be diagnosed. Five out of eight characteristics need to be met when diagnosing Autism. A specification of 1, 2 or 3 must also be given.

“The oldest person I have diagnosed was 52,” said Bensur. “When people think Autism, they think the kid sitting in the corner making noise, goes limp when mom tries to pick him up but tries to fight dad. That’s not it, we need to teach Autism. How do they see the world? What’s it like to have Autism?”

Common characteristics can include lack of eye contact, seeming to be in their own world, struggling with verbal and social skills and may exhibit one or two ADHD characteristics.

Those diagnosed with a one specification are still taking things in and trying new things, they are considered dynamically static.

Two specification individuals on the higher level are either right or left brain dominant. Those that are right dominant are apt to building things but not explaining how they got there. Left dominant are more verbal.

Two middle-level individuals are right and left brain dominant but tend ot be lacking in social and survival skills. They can be taught and how long it will take them to learn depends on their IQ level.

Two lower-level individuals don’t like reality, they prefer the fantasy world they have created and tend to speak as if they are in their fantasy land. They are right and left brain dominant.

Three specification individuals are highly volatile. They tend not to know what’s going on, are non-verbal.

“It’s important to love the child, parent involvement is extremely important in treatment,” said Bensur.

When working with someone on the spectrum, it’s important sit down and discuss treatment goals and negotiate how to get to where you want to be. Be sure also said to keep the steps simple and minimal, one or two at a time. Complicated steps or too many at once can be frustrating and make no progress.

It is also important to work with a qualified professional and develop a treatment plan with them and build rapport. Always involve the individual in their treatment plan.

“Patience and persistence leads to success,” said Bensur.

Identify strengths and weaknesses with the individual.

Be sure to acknowledge the individual’s requests, this can help prevent meltdowns. “Not angrily, you’ll just be throwing gasoline on the fire,” said Bensur.

Always be consistent, do the same thing the same way everytime. “Don’t say ‘because I said so,’ explain and give a reason,” said Bensur.

“Teach them how to read a clock and make a schedule and put it on the fridge. Bed time, bath time, etc. If you didn’t teach it, it wasn’t learned.”

Those on the spectrum do not learn from outside their “bubble,” they tend to block the world out. Their “bubble” is the circle of people whom the individual can trust and is comfortable around.

“‘Bubble’ extensions can be formed such as they have a favorite place to eat but will only go if mom and dad go with or they like to do a certain activity but only if mom or dad watch,” said Bensur.

Do not make assumptions about the individual.

“Once the individual reaches school age, they tend to be ‘tagged,'” said Bensur. “Almost every individual on the spectrum has PTSD. It starts at home, then the bus, then school, etc.”

Try to help the individual find something that they enjoy doing and support them in it.

When finding a professional to help, it is important to find someone that wants to spend time with the individual and work with them.

“Everyone on the spectrum is different, you can’t buy off the rack,” said Bensur. “I always say Autism is a gift the world just isn’t ready for.”