Resources for parents of autistic children -The NWT Autism Society advocates for parents, offers library service, and is starting a social group for parents. Check out the Web site at www.autismnwt.com -NWT Council for Persons with Disabilities advocates for parents, runs program that provides six hours of support each week for twelve autistic children in day cares and playchools. -Both school districts have a team of counsellors and classroom assistants who work with children. Both districts create individual learning programs for autistic children. -The Yellowknife Association of Community Living is forming a group to research gaps in the system.

She was in Yellowknife to meet with educators, health professionals and parents to help them better understand the disorder.

Every child with autistic spectrum disorder is different, said Wheeler, they bring their own unique personalities to the table.

And while many suffer from mild to severe mental retardation, others have extremely high IQs (think Rain Man).

But Wheeler tells the crowd that regardless of where children sit on the spectrum, they all have communication, sensory and social limitations.

Limitations are less obvious in higher functioning children.

Wheeler explained that if someone is scolding an autistic child, they might focus on some minor detail -- such as that your nose bobs up and down while you talk -- and completely miss your point.

Autistic children don't recognize body language, and can't tell, for example, if two jostling kids are fighting or playing.

"They miss social cues that other kids pick up automatically," said Wheeler. "It doesn't mean they can't learn it, they just learn it a different way."

Sensory overload

When a child with ASD has a learning and behaviourial problem, said Wheeler, one of two things is happening.

Either the child is confused about expectations or is in "sensory overload." Typically, they show it by screaming, covering ears, hiding or completely withdrawing.

"Everything is too overwhelming, too noisy," said Wheeler. "Their emotions are so intense they are terrifying.

"It's the same with anxiety. It's terrifying anxiety. It's not just a little nervousness."

These repetitive behaviours help them calm down. They are also trying to tell you, the only way they can, that they are overwhelmed, said Wheeler.

In many cases, visual communication strategies help clarify things, said Wheeler. That's why teachers use pictures that give children step-by-step directions.

Do vaccines cause autism?

One parent in the crowd asked about the theory that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine causes autism.

Wheeler said some research suggests it's not the vaccine that causes autism, but the mercury preservative in the vaccine.

"The evidence is not conclusive, but it is compelling," said Wheeler.

This research found, often, those who administer the vaccine don't shake it enough, said Wheeler.

"Some children were getting just the preservative, not the vaccine," she said.

But Wheeler doubts the vaccine causes all autism.

"I really think we're going to find there isn't one cause."

She added some research shows a genetic basis for autism, but only in a small subset of all children with the disorder.

No matter what the cause, the number of people with autism is growing.

"The numbers have increased substantially over past years," said Liz Baile district coordinator of student services for YK Catholic Schools. "We used to have one or two, now we have more than 10."

The NWT Autism Society is aware of about 20 cases of autism in the NWT. "But there are quite possibly more," said Lynn Elkin, the society's president.

"This is a growing disability. It's reaching epidemic proportions in the States and Canada. It used to be one in every 10,000 people had this. Now, we're up to one in every 250 in areas where they are doing screening and diagnosis. We expect it's the same here.

"Part of it is better diagnosis," she said. "But the other part is -- why on earth is this happening? We have no answers."