By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

Hooksett’s Jim Caster, 7, in red, and his younger brother Timothy, 4, have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Their parents, Steve and Kristine Caster, hope more people become aware of the disorder that afflicts 1.5 million Americans.

Autism stories • Bedford: Loud, unpredictable noises frighten boy • Bow: Teen with autism defies all odds • Goffstown: Like a switch was turned off • Hooksett: Family appreciates joys, deals with disappointments • Pelham: Autism offers boy a creative impulse

Autism awareness walk to take place May 13 AUBURN – The Autism Society of New Hampshire is sponsoring “A Walk in the Sun,” an autism awareness nature walk, on Saturday, May 13, at the Audubon Center at Lake Massabesic. Registration starts at 9am, and the walk begins at 10am. Participants may walk one mile or three. No pets, please. For directions, visit NHaudubon.org. All donations are tax deductible and stay in New Hampshire to support local families. For more information, visit NHautism.com or call 603-679-2424.

What is autism? By Darrell Halen Staff Writer Autism is a complex developmental disability that impacts a person’s brain functions and, therefore, his or her communication and social interactions. This neurological disorder typically appears in a person’s first three years. “Typically, between (the) ages of 2 and 3, you start to notice that the child is not communicating effectively or there’s uneven skill development,” said Marguerite Tompkins, a preschool services teacher for the Pelham and Windham school districts. Autism is known as a spectrum disorder. It affects each person differently and traits vary from mild to severe. According to the Autism Society of America, an autistic person may exhibit any combination of the following symptoms: aggressive behavior, self-injurious behavior, resistance to change, difficulty expressing needs, repeating words or language instead of normal language, gesturing and pointing instead of speaking, throwing tantrums, wanting to be alone, showing little eye contact, dislike of cuddling, inappropriate attachment to objects, lack of fear of dangers, overactivity and underactivity, uneven gross/fine motor skills, unresponsiveness to verbal cues, laughing, crying and showing distress for no apparent reason, unresponsiveness to teaching methods, playing oddly, spinning objects, and apparent oversensivity and undersensitivity to pain. Dr. Leo Kanner, a psychiatrist who observed children, officially identified autistic children in 1943. Before Kanner’s work, such children would have been labeled as emotionally disturbed or mentally retarded. Society’s understanding of the disorder has grown since Kanner’s contributions but there are still many unanswered questions about it. There is no single known cause of autism, according to ASA. No gene has been identified as being responsible but experts believe the disorder is due to abnormalities in brain function and structure. Differences in brain shape and structure have been found when comparing autistic children and non-autistic kids. Experts at the ASA believe children are born with autism or are born with the potential to develop it. The role of genetics is also supported by research that many autistic people come from families with a history of autism or related disabilities. A study by the Institute of Medicine in Washington, D.C., ruled out a relationship between the measles/mumps/rubella vaccine and autism. It also ruled out a link between thimerosal and autism. Thimerosal is the ingredient in the vaccine many suspect as the cause of autism. Nevertheless, many people still believe the vaccine theory, and there is a class-action lawsuit in federal court regarding that theory. As many as 1.5 million children and adults in the United States are believed to be autistic, said the institute. The milder the symptoms, the likelihood is greater that it will take longer for the problem to be recognized, Tompkins said. There is no medical test for diagnosing autism. Professionals make a diagnosis based on a person’s behavior, communication and development levels. More children are being diagnosed with it, but Tompkins said there’s speculation as to why that is. But just because a person has autism doesn’t mean they can’t learn and be productive. Kids don’t outgrow the disorder but their symptoms will lessen as receive treatment and develop.

Hooksett’s Kristine and Steve Caster knew little to nothing about autism when their firstborn son, Jim, was diagnosed with the disability more than three years ago.

“I was in such despair and so full of fear,” said Kristine. “I was like, ‘Now what do I do?’ My world was just spinning.’”

Jim is now 7, and a happy first-grader at Underhill School. Jim’s younger brother, 4-yearold Timothy, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, when he was just 18 months old.

“It was scary because you have nothing to go on with your firstborn,” Kristine said of her reaction to the diagnoses. “But with the second child it’s like, ‘OK, no problem.’”

Unlike most parents, the Casters had to learn about the disorder – and its many forms – in order to care for their two children.

The Autism Society of America estimates that 1.5 million American children and adults have some form of autism, a developmental disability that can impact social development and communication skills.

ASD comes in many forms.

“One student might be completely nonverbal and another student might appear to the lay person as having no issues at all,” said Justine Sheppard, the elementary special education coordinator for the Hooksett School District. “There’s no real finite criteria. Every student is different.”

The Caster boys are both nonverbal, and communicate at home primarily through symbols, using what the National Autism Society calls picture exchange communication systems.

Hundreds of images are posted throughout the Casters’ Hooksett home. Most of the images were crafted by Kristine, who regularly uses a digital camera, specialized computer software, a laser printer, a laminating device and other tools.

The images run the gamut, from pictures of a Zamboni, to numbers attached to math problems, to little copies of the kids’ favorite DVDs. Yet all of the images are there to help the boys communicate.

The boys can choose an image, present it to their parents, thereby quickly conveying a want or idea.

“I don’t want to have to speak for them and communicate for them,” said Kristine. “It’s important that they communicate to me.”

The Casters also converted the basement into a “sensory integration room” which features a computer, specially designed indoor swings and hundreds more symbols.

The room, said Steve, allows the boys activities that serve to comfort, organize, focus and relieve them of stress.

“Sometimes only they know what they need,” said Steve. “Being nonverbal, you can’t just say, ‘This is what I’m feeling right now.’”

The Casters have gotten help from Easter Seals, the Autism Society of New Hampshire and the South Eastern Regional Education Service Center in Bedford.

They’ve also been comforted by the care their boys have gotten in schools – Jim at Underhill, and Timothy at his preschool.

“They love it,” said Kristine. “It’s great to help them come out of their shell.”

The Casters are just two of hundreds of people throughout New Hampshire trying to spread the word about autism spectrum disorder, which is often portrayed inaccurately in popular mediums like movies.

Kristine said she hopes more people will get involved with treating the disorder, and said she continually hopes to find the best treatment for her sons.

“It takes a village to help these kids,” she said. “You can’t quit.”

Despite the extra care their sons may need, the Casters said they wouldn’t want things any other way.

“It’s a privilege to be raising kids in the (autism) spectrum,” said Kristine.