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Autism is a complex bio-neurological developmental disability that is complicated even further by the various ways people exhibit its symptoms.
No two children with autism behave in the same way, so symptoms that are identifiable in one youngster will not necessarily be present in another. Learning the various ways that autism can manifest itself can be a good first step toward understanding the condition.
The National Autism Association notes that autism is a spectrum disorder, which means it can range from very mild to very severe cases. But the organization Autism Speaks notes that many people with autism have sensory issues that typically involve over- or under-sensitivities to sounds, lights, touch, tastes, smells, pain and other stimuli. Autism Speaks also indicates that people with autism may experience social communication challenges and exhibit restricted and repetitive behaviors.
Social Communication Challenges
Difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication affects both children and adults with autism. Treatment, especially when it begins in early childhood, can help people with autism overcome some of these difficulties, which include:
—Understanding spoken language.
—Using spoken language appropriately.
—Understanding or appropriately using gestures.
—Making eye contact.
—Understanding or appropriately using facial expressions.
—Understanding or appropriately using tone of voice.
People with autism also may not understand that certain expressions are not meant to be taken literally.
Autism Speaks also notes that additional social challenges may indicate the presence of autism.
Such challenges can include difficulty with:
—Recognizing emotions and intentions in others.
—Recognizing one’s own emotions.
—Expressing emotions.
—Seeking emotional comfort from others.
—Feeling overwhelmed in social situations.
—Taking turns in conversation.
—Gauging personal space.
Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors
Behaviors associated with autism vary greatly across the spectrum. Someone with mild autism may not exhibit any such behaviors, while they may be instantly recognizable in others elsewhere on the spectrum.
Autism Speaks notes that these behaviors may include:
—Repetitive body movements, such as rocking, flapping, spinning, or running back and forth.
—Repetitive motions with objects, such as spinning wheels, shaking sticks and flipping levers.
—Staring at lights or spinning objects.
—Ritualistic behavior, such as lining up objects or repeatedly touching objects in a set order.
—Narrow or extreme interests in specific topics.
—A need for unvarying routine and a resistance to change. For example, someone with autism may need the same daily schedule and may need to eat the same meal menu and wear the clothes each day.
Autism is a complicated disorder that is often recognizable in young children by the time they reach their third birthdays. Parents who suspect their child might have autism can discuss their concerns with their child’s pediatricians.
For autism information in the Tri-City area visit the local autism chapter’s website bayouautism.org.
April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day and April is World Autism Awareness Month.

Elizabeth Hawkins Richardson, 81, a resident of New Orleans, La. and native of Franklin, La., passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 10, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. at the University Medical Center in New Orleans, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday March 20, 2021 at the Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church 1424 South Dilton Metairie, La. from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 10 a.m., with the Reverend Dale Sanders Sr., Officiating. (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing.)
Memories of Elizabeth will forever remain in the hearts of her two daughters Ursala R. Richardson and Carmen (Walter) Narcisse; three grandchildren, Brittany, Megan, Dyamond Richardson all of New Orleans, La.; god-given grandchildren, Lachell, Aijae, Russian, & Latin; two sisters, First Lady Donna (Supt. Donald Sr.) Lanceslin of Baldwin, La. and Sylvina “Dot” Jenkins of Centerville, La.; brother-in-law, Melvin Griffin; sisters-in-law, Cordelia Richardson, Annie Mae Anderson, Orelean Bias, Mardenia Richardson, Phyllis Lewis and Rosa Lee Hawkins; and a host of nieces, nephews other loved ones and dear friends.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Wilford Richardson; parents, Louis and Elizabeth Hawkins; brothers, Louis Hawkins, Leroy Hawkins, and James Hawkins; sister, Essie Hawkins, Lou Ethel Hawkins, Clara Hunt, Catherine Griffin and Maggie Batiste.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma and Morgan City.

Local leaders said they knew of no widespread business closings of COVID-19 or the measures imposed to fight the virus. But that doesn’t mean that businesses have not been affected.
The businesses local leaders said were hurt the most were bars and restaurants.
“Of course a number of businesses have closed, but as far as if they’re gone for good?” said Parish President David Hanagriff. “No, I don’t think we’ve had many at all that I know of that have been gone for good, but … that’s a delayed process,” Hanagriff said, wondering if some of the businesses can survive even with restrictions beginning to be lifted.
According to preliminary U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for St. Mary Parish in December, the unemployment rate was 7.9%. That’s the lowest it’s been since March 2020 when it was 7.7%. In February 2020, it was 7.7%.
Since then, the rate skyrocketed to 14.4% in April 2020 and reached a peak of 14.8% in the last year in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, before beginning to improve monthly except for a bump of over one point to 10.4% in October 2020.
“As far as COVID is concerned, clearly there are some winners and losers here,” Hanagriff said. “The Big Box stores, the Walmarts of the world, they’ve actually done pretty decent and weathered pretty well with overall sales tax increase and everything else showing that they’ve actually done pretty well compared to the small mom and pop businesses. And of course the bars and restaurants have been hurt and continue to be hurt.
One area that has been impacted for the past year that has been given some relief with Gov. John Bel Edwards’ recent easing of restrictions is live music.
Local musician Cliff Hillebran said before the pandemic, he had 8-10 bookings per month. But since the pandemic began, he had zero either in his solo work or as part of The Anytime Band.
“Last week I started booking again, finally getting gigs back since they allow bands in bars again,” he said.
During the past year, he said, he has recorded some music for the radio from his home. While it feeds his passion, Hillebran said there isn’t a lot of money to be made there.
While he works in the oil and gas service industry and music is a side business, Hillebran said he has invested a lot financially in it.
Although the thought of giving it up may have popped up in his mind, “but if it’s something you love with a passion like that, it’s hard to do that.”
It remains to be seen what positive impacts locally are recognized in municipalities from the $1.9 trillion stimulus package signed into law last week.
“If you supported it or not, it’s coming,” Hanagriff said. “So we’re looking to see what advantages we can get and what opportunities are there for St. Mary Parish in the stimulus package.”
Morgan City Mayor Lee Dragna said those funds could make an impact on infrastructure rather than a municipality’s economy.
In Morgan City, Dragna said that he has seen sales taxes up about 5% so far this year over what was budgeted, which he attributes to the Paycheck Protection Program for businesses and stimulus checks for consumers.
He noted that sales taxes in the city were about what they were anticipated in 2019 and they were higher than anticipated in 2020.
He said right now, the economy is “holding its own” in Morgan City.
“I’m not saying that the economy is good by any means, but it’s been in a slump for the last few years, right? So if it’s kind of maintaining its own right now and not keep slumping.
“I think we’re about as good as you can get right this second with what we have to work with,” Dragna said. “But do I believe that it’s going to get better as the year goes on? I don’t think so. I think it’s kind of like a bump.”
In Berwick, Mayor Duval Arthur said the economy is doing “very well.”
He noted that the town has added a few businesses last year, even with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m sure it’s affected a lot of businesses,” Arthur said of the pandemic. “The ones that it’s affected most were restaurants and bars. We have one bar, and it’s still open, and one restaurant, and it’s still open. So it really hadn’t affected us.”

The bicycle rider injured Tuesday morning in a collision with an SUV in Bayou Vista sustained moderate injuries, a Louisiana State Police spokesman said.
The collision happened just before 6:30 a.m. on La. 182 near Gray Construction.
The bicycle rider was headed east and was in violation by not being at the utmost right of the roadway, said LSP spokesman Thomas Gossen.
No citation has been issued yet because of the rider’s injuries, Gossen said.
The bicycle rider was taken to a local trauma center by AirMed, he said.
The driver of the Jeep Patriot involved in the accident voluntarily submitted a breath sample that indicated no alcohol, and the driver showed no signs of impairment, Gossen said.