HEALTH-FITNESS

What's Up Doc? Class valedictorian shows many with autism can do amazing things

Dr. Jeff Hersh
Daily News Correspondent

Q: I saw a news story about someone with non-speaking autism graduating college.  What is this condition?

A: I also saw the story of Elizabeth Bonker, the incredible young lady who was a valedictorian of her graduating class at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She communicates by typing on a text-to-speech devices. Her message “God gave you a voice. Use it.” and her insightful "And no, the irony of a non-speaking autistic encouraging you to use your voice is not lost on me. Because if you can see the worth in me, then you can see the worth in everyone you meet," is inspiring.

Elizabeth Bonker

The website Autism Speaks (https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism) notes “Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.” Key aspects of this neurodevelopmental disorder include that there is “a broad range” of conditions (hence the terminology "autism spectrum disorder" to include Asperger’s Syndrome and many other forms of autism), as well as a broad range of how it affects an individual person (for example, from subtle communication aspects to someone being non-speaking as is Ms. Bonker). Although there are many theories as to what causes autism, the underlying pathophysiology is not understood.

The Valedictorian:'God gave you a voice. Use it': Nonspeaking autistic valedictorian delivers powerful speech

It is estimated that about 1 in 50 children are affected by autism to some extent.  Although the producers of the TV show "The Big Bang Theory" say the character Sheldon on the show was not intended to be on the autism spectrum, many of his behaviors seem to overlap those of some people with autism.

Aspects of someone with autism may (as already noted, there is huge variability) include:

  • Social skills impact: this may include many aspects of social interactions from specifics of socializing behaviors to building/maintaining friendships to limitations of social/emotional reciprocity to others.
  • Communication impact: this may include limitations in identifying and understanding linguistic/non-linguistic communications (e.g. sarcasm, body language, facial expressions, eye contact, nuances of voice intonation, others) to someone being non-speaking (e.g. Elizabeth Bonker types to communicate, as she did with her valedictorian speech) to other communication issues.
  • Repetitive/restrictive behaviors: these may range from repeating routines to difficulty accepting change to atypical responses to stimuli to others.
Elizabeth Bonker at Rollins College

Parents may notice certain issues/behaviors in their child that prompt them to have their child evaluated/screened. These may include delayed language development, poor eye contact, limited smiling/reactions to smiling, limited imitation of certain behaviors like handclapping/others, repetitive behaviors/mannerisms, atypical play, and/or many other behaviors.

Screening for this very common condition (especially since it has very broad possible presentations) is important, and should be done at as early an age as possible (although autism may be identified at different ages in different people).  Questionnaires for parents have been developed to aid in early age screening, and may include questions for the parents to identify things they may have observed such as:

  • how their child responds in certain circumstances: e.g. do they look at something across the room that the parent has pointed to or looked at, do they respond to verbal communication or have the parents wondered if they are having trouble hearing, do they point at things, ask for help, smile, walk, get upset by certain everyday noises, make eye contact, other behaviors.
  • how their child plays: e.g. do they play make-believe, do they climb on things, are they interested in playing with other children, other behaviors.
  • does their child perform certain repetitive behaviors?
  • other observations from parents.

There are many possible interventions that are beneficial for people with autism, including:

  • methods to support and improve communication options (for example, Bonker credits her being taught to type as a key factor enabling her to better learn and interact with others): noting that over a quarter of all autistic children have significant limitations of verbal communication demonstrates why this is so important.
  • many possible enhanced learning interventions.
  • family counseling for parents, family (and even friends) to better understand this condition and what can be done to support them.
  • others.
Elizabeth Bonker (left) at Rollins College's commencement.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of false information out there about autism. Vaccines do NOT cause autism (many studies have demonstrated this).  Although some autistic people may have intellectual challenges, others have significant intellectual gifts (for example, Bonker was one of her class valedictorians!).

Autism is very common, with very variable presentations from person to person. There are many people with autism who have done amazing things; for example, consider the huge impact Greta Thunberg has had increasing awareness about global warming (she has not only been recognized on the Forbes list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, she has already been nominated for a Nobel Prize!). And there are autistic people who have just begun changing the world for the better, and I believe Elizabeth Bonker is on that list!

Jeff Hersh, Ph.D., M.D., can be reached at DrHersh@juno.com.