Autism in the DR

Sooz

New member
Nov 11, 2005
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Hi,
I am new to the forum and want to ask a question. I was told by a friend who lives in PP that there is no autism in the DR. Can anyone tell me if this is true?
Thanks,
Sooz
 

drloca

Silver
Oct 26, 2004
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Sounds like a sweeping statement. I know of one case personally....now having said that, dont know that that was the "diagnosis" per say that was made there, but sadly the child does meet all the criteria to make that diagnosis. The family certainly doesnt have access to any of the therapies/support available to their childs NA counterparts but amazingly, I think they do a pretty good job handling the situation from what I have observed.
 

LaTeacher

Bronze
May 2, 2008
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autism does exist here, but in much smaller numbers than in the US.
that said - it's quite possible that the reason the number is smaller is because the children aren't diagnosed as autistic. and it's always important to remember that autism isn't NEW to the US either, but it seems that every day the "spectrum" of autism is increased, therefore causing more children to fall into an "autism" diagnosis.

there is also a lot of misunderstanding about autism - both in the states and here in the DR. but even medical professionals are often unclear in the DR. we have a neighbor whose maid's child is supposedly autistic. i watched him one day and with my little experience in autism can tell you he's probably not. brain damaged, perhaps, but not autistic. my little doubt was more confirmed by the mother who told me he was diagnosed autistic because he fell from his crib and was oxigen-deprived for 2-3 minutes. oxigen deprivation doesn't cause autism, neither does falling from a crib.

so, yes,i think there are some cases here. but not nearly as prevalent as in the states.
 

Sooz

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Nov 11, 2005
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I would think that just because they are not diagnosed, doesn't mean there isn't any here.
Especially when there is 1 in 150 kids diagnosed in America. I also read that Hurricane Mitch flattened a school here for Autistic children and that was 10 years ago.
 

suarezn

Gold
Feb 3, 2002
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Well this comes down to the definition of autism and all the different spectrums and levels that exist. Severe autism I would say is rare in The DR or probably often misdiagnosed. Understand that in The DR anyone who's not "normal" is considered "loco" so that label covers pretty much anything from real schizophrenia to probably autism.

The 1 in 150 children figure In the US IMO is extremely exaggerated by the expansion of the definition of autism. In the DR there are plenty of kids who'd be considered Hyperactive, ADD, Aspbergers, etc in The US, yet they are not on Zoloft or some other drug and seem to do fine in society. I have very mixed feelings about this as I myself have a son whose been diagnosed as Aspbergers and a couple of his friends as ADD, etc...yet they seem normal kids to me. He's on medication, but I'm always wondering if we're doing him more harm than good with it...
 

Matilda

RIP Lindsay
Sep 13, 2006
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There is an excellent school in Santo Domingo for autistic children and friends of mine from israel with an autistic daughter said it was the best they knew from having travelled around the world.
 

Chirimoya

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2002
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I would think that just because they are not diagnosed, doesn't mean there isn't any here.
Especially when there is 1 in 150 kids diagnosed in America. I also read that Hurricane Mitch flattened a school here for Autistic children and that was 10 years ago.
Hurricane Mitch did not affect the DR, maybe you meant Georges (also in 1998).

I know several families in the DR with autistic children.
 

DOMINCAN JOE

Bronze
Aug 15, 2006
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In the DR there are plenty of kids who'd be considered Hyperactive, I have very mixed feelings about this


Hyperactive,Sodium Benzoate is also one of the cause of hyperactive behaviour in children.


We use to buy Robinson's fruit squash but we were not comfortable with some of the additives they put in the squash, namely Sodium Benzoate. Sodium Benzoate is a preservative, a colouring and it is commonly use in carbonated drinks. Sodium Benzoate is the same as E211.The combination of ascorbic acid (vitamin C, E300), sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate may form benzene[7], a known carcinogen. Sodium Benzoate is also one of the cause of hyperactive behaviour in children. We discover Rock's organic orange squash. It contains only natural ingredient such as water, organically grown sugar, organic whole oranges (15%), citric acid, organic orange oil. Rock ... Read the complete review Rock Organic Orange Squash - Review - As natural as it can be.
 

Xiomara

New member
Jan 13, 2011
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Resources for the treatment of the Autism

I live with my 18-year-old son who is Autistic in the United States and I have planned to move to Santo Domingo, but it worries me not to find there the resources necessary for his treatment and improvement of his quality of life.

Here my son is provided with free many therapeutic benefits, specialists and care and the idea is to continue they being offered in our new life.

Somebady can say to me with that medical resources, educaionales and social it have the country for autistic children, please?

Thank you
 

casgirl3

New member
Feb 4, 2011
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Schools & Therapists for Children on Autism Spectrum

Hi! Someone mentioned that there's a great school for children on the spectrum. Can someone share that information with me? Also, does anyone know if there are behaviour therapists, centers, etc. in Santo Domingo?

Thanks!