MOM: JUDEVINE AUTISM PROJECT `SAVED US'

When Christopher Niswonger was 3, his parents began looking for answers. His unusual behavior could no longer be attributed to "terrible twos" or other childhood reasons.

"Doctors told us nothing was wrong, but we knew something was wrong," said his mother, Cindy Niswonger of Cape Girardeau.

In the family's three-year search for an answer, Christopher, now 7, was diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive, depressed, abused, and even childhood schizophrenia.

"I panicked," Niswonger said. "I called everyone."

Her desperate search resulted in a packet of information on autism and the Judevine Autism Center.

"Judevine saved us," Niswonger said. "They gave us back our son and my sanity. They knew exactly what I was talking about. They started telling me about my son before they even saw him."

The Judevine Autism Project is headquartered in St. Louis and has two outreach programs, one in Cape Girardeau and one in Columbia. Parents of children with autism rallied the state government to change the way money was spent to serve children with autism, resulting in the outreach programs.

The Judevine Autism Project offers assessment services for parents who suspect their child has autism. They offer referrals, parent training, in-home therapy, help with school education plans and respite care for parents.

"We try to do whatever the parents need," said Sonia Mansfield, program manager.

Autism is a developmental disability and communication disorder that causes difficulty in interpreting language and social behavior. It is often accompanied by severe behavior problems, a lack of affection or show of emotion, and a collection of unusual behaviors taken to the extreme.

Historically, Mansfield said, autism was blamed on the mother. But research has shown autism is caused genetically, not environmentally.

Niswonger said receiving a diagnosis of autism was a relief. Christopher could begin getting the appropriate help.

"He has a high IQ," Niswonger said. "When people look at him, they say there is nothing wrong with this child."

But as a baby he didn't like to be held or cuddled. Loud noises never bothered him, but the noise of a running fan upset him.

Christopher is very structured. Things must be exactly the same, always. "He would have little scraps of paper in his room and if I moved one he would know and have a screaming fit."

He receives therapy through the Judevine center, public school and the Pediatric Spot.

"In the last year his tactile defensiveness has completely gone away," his mother said. "He hugs me. I have never had a hug before."

"For the first time since he was born, Christopher and Marcus (his younger brother) are able to play together."

Usually, Christopher does not exhibit extreme behaviors at school. He saves them for home. "We have had a long arduous journey through the public school system," she said. "But we finally agreed on a program."

Christopher is fully included in a first-grade classroom at Clippard Elementary and will be next year in second grade as well.

He still has his troubles, Niswonger said. But the support from therapists has given her ways of dealing with Christopher that work.

Recently he got a new watch and the time was off by one minute from the clock in his first-grade classroom. "When he got home he was inconsolable," Niswonger said. The next day she called the school's principal to synchronize the clock and watch. Christopher had a good day.

"The outlook for Christopher is really bright. With intervention and proper help and the right school program he should complete high school and college," said Mansfield.

"Autism affects the whole family," Niswonger said. "We couldn't go anywhere or do anything for four years. We have been learning how to live a normal life. We can go to the store, go outside and plant flowers, wash the windows."

Niswonger said parents who would like to talk with another parent may call her at 334-7975. Parents may also call the Juvevine center at 339-9300 for information on autism.

When Elizabeth Griffith was a year old, her mother was certain something was wrong. Initially she was diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy.

"But as time went by, she seemed really different from the kids with CP in our support group," said her mother, Mary Griffith. "She had a lot of unusual behaviors. Sometimes she just seemed to be in her own little world."

Elizabeth received therapy for cerebral palsy. Her therapist suggested that the girl be evaluated for autism at the Judevine center.

That was about six months ago. "Almost immediately, the lady who looked at her said she thought Elizabeth has autism," Griffith said. "It sure explained a lot of things, like her lack of eye contact with people. It really all made sense."

Elizabeth, now 5, continues to receive speech, occupational and physical therapy. Elizabeth is enrolled in the early childhood center at Jefferson Elementary School, where she attends classes four days a week. She also participates in therapeutic horseback riding. Therapists from the Judevine center visit Elizabeth at home almost daily.

"They work with her getting her to pay attention, sit in a chair and make contact," her mother said. "She's a very sweet, mild-mannered child. She doesn't have temper tantrums but she just doesn't want to sit still."

Griffith said Elizabeth has made a lot of progress this year. "We have high hopes. We don't know exactly what will happen, but we have high hopes that she will do fine."

Patrick Kennedy was diagnosed as profoundly mentally retarded and sent to Parkview State School. Patrick's grandmother, Mary Kennedy, felt Patrick was not properly diagnosed.

"He never acted like a retarded kid," said Kennedy. "He would do things like a real smart kid, but on some levels he was slow. His speech was real low."

She knew he wasn't a typical child, but wasn't sure what to do.

Patrick, 12, was tested in St. Louis and at Southeast Missouri Hospital and talked to experts at Southeast Missouri State University.

When she took Patrick to enroll for kindergarten, she told school officials he might need special classes. He was tested. "While they were testing him, he was unlocking the file cabinets," she recalled.

Patrick was enrolled at the state school. "I cried. I didn't know what to do next." School officials said if Patrick improved he might be able to enter public school. As part of his program through the state school, Patrick received occupational therapy. His therapist suggested Patrick be evaluated for autism. The therapist was right.

"He was just so different than a regular mentally retarded child," Kennedy said. "For so long I didn't know what to do."

Patrick has been working with the Judevine Center. "They're just wonderful," said Kennedy. "I've seen a big change in him, and that helped to get him in public school now. He has a great teacher at public school."

Patrick is writing and learning to read. "Used to, I'd try to read him a book and he wouldn't sit there. Now he just loves for me to read. He really loves it," she said. "They are teaching him real school stuff and he's learning. He's so happy. I feel like all my prayers are being answered."