Autism Soccer: Young-Onset Parkinson’s

Essential tremor is among the early signs of Parkinson's. If you ever experience it, make sure you go see a doctor and discard any possibility!

In this blog, there’s a tendency to focus on children who have any disability (ASD, most of the time), and advising their parents how to help them grow as individuals for their future. But it is also important to inform parents and members of the community regarding their own health so they can get support. This time, I’ll discuss a disease that can affect parents in their early years: Young-onset Parkinson.

Before anything, it’s necessary to clarify what Parkinson’s disease is. According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation: “Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. Nearly one million people in the US are living with Parkinson’s disease.”

It is widely believed that the primary risk factor for this disease is aging, showing a 2-4% risk for people among their sixties. This might sound reassuring for parents and people on their 40s or 50s, but Young-onset Parkinson’s disease is a potential disease for them too.

Those who are affected by this disease at a young age will find difficulties in dealing with their responsibilities: like parenting, daily routine activities, and work. Depending on how the disease advances, there will be a moment where they’ll have to do less than they normally did, creating a significant amount of distress.

A person with this disease needs to keep in mind that the younger the person is, the disease is more likely to have root on genes. Identifying a potential case of young-onset Parkinson could be determinant to slow it before it’s worse, meaning that the patient could get an early treatment and its brain could be more responsive to it.

Be cautious before dismissing the possibility of having this disease. The percentage of people who have it might be low (only 2% out of 1 million), but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen to you. Be sure to have regular checkouts and ask about this diagnosis if you feel you have symptoms that could lead to Parkinson’s.

Parents need to remember that they need to take care of themselves as much as they care for their children. Be responsible for your health, and you’ll be able to protect those you hold dear. If you ever get to face complications to help your children, you can contact the people of Autism Soccer. They will lend you a friendly and prepared hand. And if that’s not reason enough, they will also help your children develop soccer and communicational skills!