All Things CLASS

I have noticed that we are seeing many of our students diagnosed with Autism. 

This is my own opinion based off a lot of observations, coaching experiences, reading a lot of research articles, and taking part in meetings between special service providers and parents...........SCREEENS and BABY GEAR. Just this year, I took part in a conversation between a specialist and a parent of a 4-year old in a class I was coaching. The child had very little ability to self regulate and was consistently putting himself and other children in danger. The specialist had worked with this child since the child had entered the B-3 program. This specialist, who has a PhD in an area of special needs, said she made the decision to "pull the child's specialized services" last school year, b/c the child was doing so well. She continued, "Something has happened from the end of last school year to the start of this year." The father indicated that he bought the child his "own phone" over the Summer. I asked how often the child was on the phone, and he said, "Sometimes he's on his phone all day." He further revealed that the child also has a tv in his bedroom, which is left on at bed time. I'll quote this sentence that came from his mouth, "Sometimes, I'll get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom at 2-3 in the morning.....I'll peak into his room, and he'll still be up watching tv." The kid was in front of a screen the majority of his waking hours outside of school, and the Dad admitted to using the screens so he didn't have to deal with the child's behavior.

In addition to the overuse of screens, the overuse of baby gear is also contributing to this. I am an independent consultant who has provided coaching experiences in multiple states. Whenever I enter a new classroom for coaching purposes, the first thing I look at is the shape of children's heads. At least 7-8 times out of 10, the children who are consistently providing problematic behavior have mis-shaped heads. Although it can happen quicker in babies who are born prematurely, this is usually a sign the child spent too much time on their back and not enough time on their tummy during critical windows of development early in life. 

In my opinion, the focus needs to turn from "vaccinations causing autism" to baby gear and screens. I believe autism rates are going to continue to increase in this country until this type of information is made main stream. This is a country in which parents are more concerned with "keeping up with the Jones's" and being on social media. Parents think the latest/greatest baby gear is "good" for their child and believe the child is actually learning something, like the ABC's or counting sequence, by watching a mindless video. I was 37 and 40 years old when I had my two children. I didn't get a phone until I was 20 years old. Most "new parents" have had a phone since they were very young, and see no problem giving it to their phone......b/c it's seen as a "normal" thing to do.

All that being said, I truly believe the majority, not all, of children we are seeing in the classroom having the diagnosis of being "somewhere on the spectrum" is COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE. It's going to take at least several years or another decade before awareness for this gets to where it needs to be with all of this. Having a 6 year old and 3 year old myself.......it scares the heck out of me.  

Original Message:
Sent: 03-19-2025 14:18
From: Leitica Lipsey
Subject: Why are we seeing more Autistic children in our classes?

I have noticed that we are seeing many of our students diagnosed with Autism. 

------------------------------
Leitica Lipsey
------------------------------

This is my own opinion based off a lot of observations, coaching experiences, reading a lot of research articles, and taking part in meetings between special service providers and parents...........SCREEENS and BABY GEAR. Just this year, I took part in a conversation between a specialist and a parent of a 4-year old in a class I was coaching. The child had very little ability to self regulate and was consistently putting himself and other children in danger. The specialist had worked with this child since the child had entered the B-3 program. This specialist, who has a PhD in an area of special needs, said she made the decision to "pull the child's specialized services" last school year, b/c the child was doing so well. She continued, "Something has happened from the end of last school year to the start of this year." The father indicated that he bought the child his "own phone" over the Summer. I asked how often the child was on the phone, and he said, "Sometimes he's on his phone all day." He further revealed that the child also has a tv in his bedroom, which is left on at bed time. I'll quote this sentence that came from his mouth, "Sometimes, I'll get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom at 2-3 in the morning.....I'll peak into his room, and he'll still be up watching tv." The kid was in front of a screen the majority of his waking hours outside of school, and the Dad admitted to using the screens so he didn't have to deal with the child's behavior.

In addition to the overuse of screens, the overuse of baby gear is also contributing to this. I am an independent consultant who has provided coaching experiences in multiple states. Whenever I enter a new classroom for coaching purposes, the first thing I look at is the shape of children's heads. At least 7-8 times out of 10, the children who are consistently providing problematic behavior have mis-shaped heads. Although it can happen quicker in babies who are born prematurely, this is usually a sign the child spent too much time on their back and not enough time on their tummy during critical windows of development early in life. 

In my opinion, the focus needs to turn from "vaccinations causing autism" to baby gear and screens. I believe autism rates are going to continue to increase in this country until this type of information is made main stream. This is a country in which parents are more concerned with "keeping up with the Jones's" and being on social media. Parents think the latest/greatest baby gear is "good" for their child and believe the child is actually learning something, like the ABC's or counting sequence, by watching a mindless video. I was 37 and 40 years old when I had my two children. I didn't get a phone until I was 20 years old. Most "new parents" have had a phone since they were very young, and see no problem giving it to their phone......b/c it's seen as a "normal" thing to do.

All that being said, I truly believe the majority, not all, of children we are seeing in the classroom having the diagnosis of being "somewhere on the spectrum" is COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE. It's going to take at least several years or another decade before awareness for this gets to where it needs to be with all of this. Having a 6 year old and 3 year old myself.......it scares the heck out of me.  

I have noticed that we are seeing many of our students diagnosed with Autism. 

I have noticed that we are seeing many of our students diagnosed with Autism.