Once Feared Lost to Autism, Boy Grows Up to Be a Healthy Teenager
His doctors used applied behavior analysis, which his parents credit for Jake's subsequent success in overcoming the condition.
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By The Survivors Club Staff
December 14, 2009
For the first year and a half of his life Jake Exkorn was developing like a normal child would, but at 17 months his parents noticed that he began to be more withdrawn and finally stopped speaking. Soon thereafter, the family received the devastating diagnosis of autism. Thankfully, his doctors used applied behavior analysis, which his parents credit for Jake's subsequent success in overcoming the condition.
At the beginning of the intensive therapy, doctors were cautious not to give the family hope for a full recovery. However, the fact that the intervention was appropriate and undertaken early enough meant that at the age of 4 Jake was no longer autistic and today he's is a thriving 13-year-old, CNN.com reports.
He also sounds like a regular 13-year-old, admitting that "I don't think about it too much but when I do it is kinda crazy. But, my mom and dad put in a lot of effort into it and so did I and it paid off," quoted by the news provider.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 26,670 out of the 4 million children born in the U.S. each year will eventually be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
The cause of autism is not known, and genetic components are believed to play a role, but some cases have been linked to chemical exposure during pregnancy. Therefore experts say expectant mothers should not take unauthorized drugs and refrain from drinking alcohol.
Moreover, early and appropriate therapy can help affected children reach their full potential.
Families facing the challenge of ASDs may consult the resources of the Autism Society of America which also accepts donations.
December 14, 2009
For the first year and a half of his life Jake Exkorn was developing like a normal child would, but at 17 months his parents noticed that he began to be more withdrawn and finally stopped speaking. Soon thereafter, the family received the devastating diagnosis of autism. Thankfully, his doctors used applied behavior analysis, which his parents credit for Jake's subsequent success in overcoming the condition.
At the beginning of the intensive therapy, doctors were cautious not to give the family hope for a full recovery. However, the fact that the intervention was appropriate and undertaken early enough meant that at the age of 4 Jake was no longer autistic and today he's is a thriving 13-year-old, CNN.com reports.
He also sounds like a regular 13-year-old, admitting that "I don't think about it too much but when I do it is kinda crazy. But, my mom and dad put in a lot of effort into it and so did I and it paid off," quoted by the news provider.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 26,670 out of the 4 million children born in the U.S. each year will eventually be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
The cause of autism is not known, and genetic components are believed to play a role, but some cases have been linked to chemical exposure during pregnancy. Therefore experts say expectant mothers should not take unauthorized drugs and refrain from drinking alcohol.
Moreover, early and appropriate therapy can help affected children reach their full potential.
Families facing the challenge of ASDs may consult the resources of the Autism Society of America which also accepts donations.
