Autism Articles

Keep Autism at Bay - Precautions That Pregnant Women Must Take

2013-10-20T10:47:00.001-07:00

Pregnancy is one of the most overwhelming feeling for the parents expecting a child. It is during this phase that all the hopes and dreams of the parents are woven together for their little bundle of joy and their life seems well crafted during this time. Now that mentioning the dreamy and fairy tale part is over let me put some light to the aspect that deals with the complications. Well, not that pregnancy is all about complications but there are unfortunately few instances when cases get a tad little complicated, blame it on the gradual change in lifestyles with late marriages and even late family planning that complicates situations all the more. But once you seal the decision of having a baby and the plan is under progress it is important for women during this time to take some necessary precautions.
Pregnancy and the necessary precautions during that time
It is during the time of pregnancy that women must choose to stay extra cautious to take care of the baby, that is of course a given fact. This obviously comes as no breaking news that autism is on the rise and this news is enough for expecting mothers to take all the necessary precautions to keep that ill-fated neurological disorder away from your expecting child's life so that they can have a beautiful future. There are several factors bit we'll focus on two of the most critical and powerful ones because of which pregnant women might end up giving birth to an autistic child. To save them from doing so, this article attempts to highlight those major points. Take a look:

Epigenetic - A lot of recent medical research has proved that epigenetic is responsible if a new-born baby is down with autism, the latest one vouching for this is the study conducted in Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Interested in knowing how it works? Epigenetic control of genes allow same cells clubbed together to grow in the womb and often is the reason for the child being born as autistic. Yes, the process is extremely delicate and as a would-be mother it is important that she must make sure to keep this cause as far away as possible. Epigenetic does not necessarily imply that it will appear during birth or early childhood days, there are certain cases that it shows up during the later years. Consulting your doctor at regular intervals is a must to keep this at bay.
Air pollution - Air pollution is also one of the major factors that increases chances that a pregnant woman might give birth to a child with autism problems. The air that an expecting mother is breathing demands purity and free from any kind of pollution because the baby is growing in the womb everyday and the baby's exposure to air pollution during their developing years is not a good sign. So it is time that people are extra cautious about these things because neglecting them now often impacts later with autism and if that disorder strikes it stays life long. You sure would not want that for your baby, so do what it takes to keep autism afar from your child.

It is important that as parents these things are given priority, after all, it's all about choosing the best life for your kid. So the extra zeal of cautiousness works wonders for a better future of your child. If you are someone planning to give life to a little bundle of joy make sure you take the extra steps as mentioned here.

Allen Wood focus on two of the most critical and powerful ones because of which pregnant women might end up giving birth to an autistic child.

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Children, Autism, and Violence: Inception of Monstrous Behaviors

2013-10-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

Parents of violent and autistic children have the patience of steel. The monstrous behavior of their children - verbal threats, physical aggression, frequent loss of temper, and extreme impulsiveness - desolate their lives and enforce them to experience serious injuries and unpredictable repercussions.
Numerous researches tell us the numerous roots of children's violent behaviors. According to a research by Dr. Rebecca J. Scharf, University of Virginia, "Short nighttime sleep duration can raise monstrous behaviors in children." In addition, the Journal of Pediatrics uncovers, "Aggressive behaviors of children are related to soft drink ingestion." Also, a Case Western Reserve University study indicates that children who witness violence between their parents usually embrace violent behaviors.
Psychiatrist, Dr. Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, tells us, "Planned violence is not the trait of an autistic child." Something and anything can immediately ignite the feelings of severe outbursts inside him and coerce him to perform pernicious acts. Therefore, it's significant to realize that sometimes autistic children's violent actions are not under their own control. Their eyes stop seeing and ears stop listening, and they just act without thinking anything. Few studies reveal that the limited verbal skill is the cause of violent behaviors too. Because, limited verbal skill forces autistic children to show physical aggression instead of using words.
It's probably not possible to cure autism in the near future. But, right now we have the full capability to identify and treat violent behaviors. Autism itself is not dangerous. However, when violence merges with autism, the situation becomes lethal. All we need to do is to separate violent behaviors from autism and cut the roots of the actual problem. The right support and right treatment can improve the quality of your child's life and invite heavenly happiness in the home. Therefore, I've put together 12 methods that can help you to turn a violent, autistic child into calm and cooperative.
1 - Don't interrogate your kids, because words are like a second language to them. Words ruffle their hearts and puzzle their minds. The more you interrogate them with your leading questions, the more you ignite irritability inside them and intimidate them to convey their feelings through violent behaviors.
2 - Children with ASD make indirect requests, and that lead to all kinds of problems. Parents often perceive the actual desire of the child from the wrong context, and this thing leads to more distressful situation. If your child is asking questions regarding Christmas repeatedly, in the middle of the June, then it doesn't mean he wants to know about Christmas. He possibly wants you to bring the Christmas tree right now.
3 - In the autistic kids with antisocial personality, the risk of violence is the highest. Kids with antisocial personality are more apt to violence than those who have anxiety disorders. Furthermore, there is one alarmed fact that indicates that kids with antisocial personality are also at the probability of dying from suicide. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be effective in helping kids to alter their violent thought patterns.
4 - Dr. Thomas N. Robinson, a professor of pediatrics at Stanford, tells us, "Exposing kids to less aggression on television will have a positive influence on behaviors." Also, Dr. Dimitri A. Christakis, lead author of the study, and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, said, "The take-home message for parents is, it's not just about turning off the TV; it's about changing the channel." These situations demonstrate that watching educational television with children can actually improve the behaviors.
5 - Just change the details; don't change the entire picture. Details are the main culprits that either water down or intensify the aggressive mode of the kid. So, concentrate on changing the details rather than changing the entire picture in order to control your child's behavior.
6 - Autistic children learn best through action, and their behavioral nature can be changed by introducing new, positive activities into their lives.
7 - Feelings of being valueless can also intensify violent behaviors in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). If children with ASD are not good at social skills, it doesn't mean they don't understand what is exactly happening around them. The weird treatment of society and lack of love makes it difficult for these children to subdue the core feelings of low self-esteem. Consequently, their fight with a feeling of being impaired turns them into a hurtful, violent creature.
8 - Violence can also be a way of seeking attention. Give him the comprehensive, positive response and have frequent, thorough communication with him as much as you can, in case you constantly ignore the core feelings of your child, or don't understand his indirect messages. This will gradually stop him from seeking negative attention through violence, and he will begin to learn proper ways to convey his feelings.
9 - Autistic children also use violence for having a sense of control over their environment - when they are unable to deal with immediate change and flooding sensory information. We already know that most of these kids are born without filtering system. Their minds digest every bit of information in the paramount detail and don't easily allow them to experience unpredictable change. So, it's better to keep their lives as much predictable as you can, because an unpredictable change can invite a monstrous behavior inside them.
10 - Some non-verbal autistic kids comfortably express their emotions through written words and drawings. It's very possible for you too to teach your kid this way for expressing emotions. This will not only ease the environment at home but also help you to understand his exact feelings. In addition, this method will help you to turn violent situations into healthy, playful games.
11 - If your kid is violent, then there is a 90% chance that the presence of negativity in his routines is responsible for his behavior. In order to resolve this problem, all you need to do is to make his routines as happy as you can, because happy routines develop happy children.
12 - Reward his good behavior, because rewards motivate him to act more positively in future. Just catch him doing something good, give him a compliment, hug him, kiss him, and let him do his favorite activity. Rewarding system keeps the child motivated and force him emotionally and psychologically to change his bad behaviors and adopt the good ones.
Remember, every child has a little natural self-control; don't expect your child to take mature steps or understand the situation automatically. Almost every child sometimes acts violently in order to achieve his needs. Just use the above strategies and act with love; you have the ability to teach him how to exhibit feelings through appropriate ways.

Isaac Smith has worked with children with autism for over 8 years. His company accommodates workshops and training materials regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - which is a common childhood behavioral disorder. You can get more insightful and specific information regarding "Autism in Children" through his website at: http://www.pleasedparents.com
Isaac teaches simple psychological and emotional tactics that connect parents with their autistic child, emotionally and psychologically. His effective strategies solve the obsessive issues of an autistic child easily and bring peace and harmony in the home... For more valuable information, visit his blog: http://www.pleasedparents.com/blog.html

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Children's Repetitive Questions in Autism - Discover 3 Solutions

2013-09-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

Thousands of parents feel anxiety upon hearing restricted & repetitive questions from their autistic children. They don't get how to give their children satisfactory answers and stop them from asking same sets of questions again & again.
Why Autistic Children Ask Same Sets of Questions?
There can be numerous reasons. But, today I will represent three major reasons that compel an autistic child to become obsessed with certain sets of questions. In addition, I will reveal the solutions so that you can control the repetitive questioning behavior of your child easily.
Demand Predictability
We all know that children with autism demand predictability. Predictability can be in any form. For example, when autistic children demand predictability, they flap their hands, twist their fingers, bang their heads, or use complex body movements; these things not only bring predictability but also help them to relax and feel happy.
Now, I ask you a question, what do most of the parents do when their children ask same sets of questions again and again?
Well, they give the same sets of answers again & again too.
And, as a result, their children associate their predictable answers with relaxation and happiness. So, whenever an autistic child feels anxious, he showers his parents with the same sets of questions in order to water down his anxious feelings.
Your same sets of answers become his sources of enjoyment and relaxation. In a way, your answers become medicines. And, whenever he needs the medicines, he asks the questions - same sets of questions - over and over again.
Now, what can you do? And, how can you stop your autistic child if you feel your answers are actually the main cause of this problem?
The simplest thing you can do is to change your answers a little every time. Or, you can add additional information in your answers too... Play this move gradually, but carefully, because if you change your answers instantly & completely, you can upset your child's feelings... If the additional information compels your child to ask additional questions for clarity, then it's a very good sign. In a couple of shakes, he will realize that your answers aren't the exact source of relaxation and enjoyment.
Soon, he will stop asking you the same questions and concentrate on something else.
Wrong Answers
Sometimes parents don't understand the true source of their child's anxiety. Consequently, they give wrong answers and make their child even more anxious.
If your child is asking consistent questions consistently, then it also means that you are probably not giving him the right answers; you're focusing on those answers which are utterly useless for him.
Now, what is the right answer for an autistic child?
Well, the right answer is the answer in which you talk about "Consequences".
Yes! Answers which reveal the consequences are the desired answers for autistic children. Once you give them the desired answers, they stop asking the same questions over and over again.
Actually, children with ASD find it difficult to talk about their feelings. They don't get how to talk about certain issues that can cripple their predictable routines through the consequences. Therefore, they want you to talk about the consequences. They want you to tell them that everything will stay the same, and there won't be any appalling change in the impending circumstances.
Let me give you an example. When an autistic child talks about someone's death, he is actually not worry about the actual person; he is in fact worry about the replacement, routines, and future. He is anxious about the after effects of death on his lifestyle and family.
So, if you want to stop your child from asking the same questions several times, talk about the consequences in your answers. This won't only satisfy him completely but also connect him with you on a deeper emotional level.
OCD and Autism
With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a person is compelled to produce repetitive behaviors. OCD causes a drastic level of anxiety and leads to uneasiness, distress, and worry.
The rate of existence of OCD in children is almost 2 percent. It affects the thoughts, and actions, of a child and makes him intensely obsessive... If your child is asking same questions non-stop, over and over, then it doesn't mean that it's only because of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); it can happen because of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) too.
Now, what exactly you need to do if OCD is the main factor behind his obsessive questioning?
Well, first, consult a qualified behavioral therapist, because behavior therapy is the most common and successful treatment these days for OCD. It helps the child to manage the compulsion and anxiety through different strategies. Apart from this, there are many other ways that can help you to deal with your child's OCD.
For example, when he starts asking you questions, you can give him a task immediately according to his interest. You can ask for his help in giving the dog a bath, or you can tell him to ask you questions through pictures - this will make the moments playful for both of you; you can even teach him how to paint. This will divert his mind and keep him busy with interesting things.
So, if you're tired of your child's obsessive questioning, change your answers a little, talk about consequences, or assign him an interesting task. These strategies will certainly help you to deal with his obsessive questioning comfortably.

Isaac Smith has worked with children with autism for over 8 years. His company accommodates workshops and training materials regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - which is a common childhood behavioral disorder.
You can get more insightful and specific information regarding "Autism in Children" through his website at: http://www.pleasedparents.com
Isaac teaches simple psychological and emotional tactics that connect parents with their autistic child, emotionally and psychologically. His effective strategies solve the obsessive issues of an autistic child easily and bring peace and harmony in the home...
For more valuable information, visit his blog: http://www.pleasedparents.com/blog.html

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How Do Autistic Children Think? Discover Their Secrets

2013-09-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

Yes! Autistic children think differently. They have different perceptions, different paradigms, and different ideology. The super abilities of their minds compel them to think about this world in a whole new perspective.
In order to perceive how autistic children think, first we need to dive deeper inside their minds and discover their secrets. We need to discover what they are actually seeing which we are not believing.
Absence of Verbal Language
Autistic children don't rely on verbal language. Because, verbal language takes them away from the reality and distract their concentration. That's why, we often find that autistic children are usually not cordial, and they like to live their lives as loners.
For autistic children, language is like a hurdle. It straitens their mind and subdues their feelings... In a way, it's true too. Researchers have already concluded that, verbal language breaks our connection with the natural world. Because, verbal language is formed by our limited thinking. And, our limited thinking divests 90 percent meanings of the reality.
Now, here one question definitely arises.
· Why is our thinking responsible for the loss of 90 percent of the reality?
Well, when you get the authentic answer of this question, you automatically understand the way autistic children think. It gets easier for you to read autistic children's minds and connect with them emotionally & psychologically...
90 Percent Reality
Our reality is our belief. And, our belief is what our society has taught us. For example, according to us, chair is just a chair, painting is just a painting, and a thunderstorm is just a thunderstorm. That's it.
However, this is just the 10 percent of the reality. This is just our belief.
If you ask an autistic child, who is obsessed with chairs, he can tell you 100 percent of the reality. He can tell you what he is exactly seeing. Because, his mind doesn't filter the information. He doesn't think in the terms of society. When he sees some chair, he notices the quality of the wood, beautiful textures, amazing patterns, shades of lighting, artistic structure, and the class of smoothness. He in fact notices the background of the chair too. All these things, which exist in the reality, always appear inside his mind whenever he looks at the chair.
On the other hand, when we look at some chair, we just notice its overall beauty. We shun 90 percent of the detail.
In a way, we completely miss 90 percent of the reality. Our minds filter the information and allow us to absorb only that information which is necessary. But, this is not the case with autistic children. Autistic children's minds don't have filters. Their minds absorb each and every detail. In other words, they see the whole reality.
A few years back, I met with an autistic kid who was obsessed with thunderstorms. Thunderstorms were exciting and thrilling for him. He used to record the sounds of thunderstorms. He showed me the collection of his obsession and amazed me too with the sound and visual variety of thunderstorms... The things which he told me about thunderstorms were quite astonishing and new for me too.
After hearing his description, and after gaining new knowledge about thunderstorms, I realized that there are hundreds of things which we never notice when we talk about thunderstorms.
The same thing happens when we visit some art gallery. We adore the artistic side of painting-artists, because painting-artists help us to see those things which stay hidden from us. In a way, they introduce a new world in front of us.
It feels like their minds' filters are also absent like autistic children.
So, if your child is able to see 100 percent of the reality, how can you expect him to reveal his feelings through verbal language? Because, verbal language only translates 10 percent of the feelings, or reality.
Autistic children see and hear what is actually there. They experience 100 percent of the reality. That's why, they look different to us.
If you want to know, how autistic children think, then you need to look at the world through their perspective. You can do this by focusing, and giving importance, to the details. Notice the colors of the grass. Hear every chirp of the birds. Feel the softness of your towel with your hands, every time, after taking shower. The more you notice the details, the more you understand how autistic children think.
When you drink water after staying thirsty for an entire day, the taste of water becomes heavenly. An autistic child experiences this same heavenly taste every time whenever he drinks water. The intensity of the taste stays the same for him. It never dilutes.

Isaac Smith has worked with children with autism for over 8 years. His company accommodates workshops and training materials regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - which is a common childhood behavioral disorder.
You can get more insightful and specific information regarding "Autism in Children" through his website at: http://www.pleasedparents.com
Isaac teaches simple psychological and emotional tactics that connect parents with their autistic child, emotionally and psychologically. His effective strategies solve the obsessive issues of an autistic child easily and bring peace and harmony in the home...
For more valuable information, visit his blog: http://www.pleasedparents.com/blog.html

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Autism Symptoms in Children - Sensory Issues

2013-09-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

What are some of the most common autism symptoms in children? Sensory issues. What are sensory issues? Sensory issues are when your child has all his senses turned to high. In other words, he is overly sensitive to noise, smells, lights, crowds, touch, and so on.
How does this autism symptom in children present itself? A child with autism who is sensitive to noise may scream in a crowd, cover his ears, or generally look agitated. He may not be able to concentrate in the classroom because of all the noise. He may get especially agitated at unexpected noises, such as fire alarms, fire trucks, sirens, and so on. The noise from a coffee grinder may even be enough to cause a meltdown (yelling and screaming.)
How to Minimize the Effect of These Autism Symptoms in Children
In these situations, you might try to only bring your child with autism to environments that will be reasonably quiet...when possible...and prepare him for the noise when this is not. iPods or earplugs, or both, can work wonders in this situation to minimize the effects of these autism symptoms.
Shopping Can Be Difficult
Sensitivity to crowds, bright lights or other visual information will become all too apparent when you try to shop in your local supermarket. Most children with autism have an awfully hard time with grocery stores. There is too much activity going on around them and it is hard for them to process it all. People chattering every which way, the noise of shopping carts squeaking, music and announcements over the PA system - these issues all trigger autism symptoms in children
Colors and shapes and so much visual information to take in can be over stimulating. Smells from the meat or fish departments, of perfume on others, or from cleaning materials can cause adverse reactions in some children with autism. If you have to bring your child to a grocery store, try to have something to distract them so that they don't get as overwhelmed.
Identifying these Autism Symptoms in Children
What are some other ways that you can tell if your child has sensory issues, which could be a symptom of autism? A lot of kids with autism have trouble with touch. They won't wear tight, restricting clothes, or clothes that are at all itchy. A lot of times they complain that the fabric just doesn't feel right. They often will need loose cotton clothes to be able to tolerate wearing clothes at all. If you find something that works, you should buy many different colors, because it may be hard to repeat in the future.
Avoidance of Physical Contact is one of the Common Autism Symptoms in Children
Many kids with autism will resist hugs and touching other people. They stiffen and avoid touch of any kind. Their skin is hypersensitive to what it encounters. Often, they will avoid getting dirty or playing outside because they don't like the feel of the dirt and ground on them. Many hate the beach because of the feel of the sand. Sensory integration therapy can help with this.
Sensory issues can be key autism symptoms in children to look out for, so you should take note if you notice any of the above.

Hopefully, with early identification and early treatment, life can be a little easier for those with autism and the people who love them. For additional tips and suggestions that can help your loved one live a fulfilling and happy life visit the AmericanAutismSociety.org. There you can sign up for their FREE newsletter with tips and info on autism.

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Handling Self-Injurious Behavior in Children With Autism

2013-09-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

I have read recently and understand that some parents are desperately seeking advice for handling their child's self-injurious behavior. Self-injurious behavior, also known as SIBs, are classified as any aggression towards oneself. The most common forms of self-injurious aggression is hitting or biting but some older children may also be involved with cutting. Other forms of SIBs may also include head butting, body slamming, picking or scratching, and using other objects to hit. Before talking about strategies that help to replace these SIBs and decrease the severity of the injury, let's discuss how critical SIBs are.
If your child is demonstrating SIB, then it is time to get a behavior consultant involved if there is not one already. The reason for this is because it is crucial to get to the root of the problem and find out exactly why your child is acting out in an aggressive way. He may be desperate with communicating his needs and incredibly frustrated. She may be seeking out deep sensory input. He may be trying to gain access to some tangible that he can't have. Unless a functional behavior assessment is done, you will not be able to truly address the SIB because you won't know exactly what is causing it. I will focus another few posts on functions of behavior but it is important to note that when you know the function of the behavior, you can act proactively to help prevent and/or at least decrease the behavior that is inappropriate. So seeking out the help of a professional behavior consultant may be your first step. Now, this may take some time to get set up. In fact, just getting an agency, evaluation, behavior consultant, and/or services in place, (if you do not have already) can take a tremendous amount of time. So, here are some tips that you can try now to handle the everyday occurrences until you have more help in place.
I know it must be SO incredibly frustrating and disheartening to see your child hurting himself. You're willing to try anything because you know your child may end up causing himself severe injury, if not hospitalization. You also may be very puzzled as to why your child is acting this way. Some children will casually bite their hand and stop biting because it hurts. This is a natural consequence. They will stop biting because they feel pain. However, many children with Autism Spectrum Disorders do not feel pain like typical children do. Many of them have an extremely high tolerance for pain and may not even cry when they get hurt. Many of them also seek out deep sensory input. They crave, not only deep pressure, but some kind of impact to their bodies in order to help feel more regulated. These are children with sensory processing disorders known as the "sensory seekers." Biting can be due to an oral fixation, the need for sensory input to the mouth. As odd as it may sound, children who are orally fixed and may be biting, may continue to bite because it brings them a sense of joy and regulation, NOT pain. Don't forget that most SIBS are caused by some level of frustration in the child, not just sensory needs. A biter may be seeking input but may also be acting out of frustration for another need or want. That is why a behavior assessment needs to be done to truly understand the cause.
Let' also discuss the issue of restraint. When a child is acting out against himself or someone else, retraining him/her can be an option. HOWEVER, it is very important to note 3 things. 1. Restraining a child should only be done to help prevent further injury to the child or someone else, especially in extreme measures. 2. There is a protocol, a heirarchy, and training involved with restraining a child appropriately so that you and the child do not continue to get hurt in the process. If you are not trained properly, nor understand the protocol, then I would not recommend restraint in any way. 3. If restraining the child makes matters worse, i.e. causes your child to completely lose control, fight back, and increase rage, frustration, SIBS, and/or aggression, then restraint should not be used. I will discuss the methodology of restraint in other posts but please keep these tips in mind if considering it as a reactive measure to SIBs.
BITING
Biting can be very harmful as bite marks and bruises can occur without too much force. If you have a child that bites, you should invest in some kind of a chew object. There are companies that sell chew tubes that help children who need to chew or bite due to lower oral motor function or who may need sensory input to the mouth because of a sensory disorder. Chew tubes also work great for children who bite because you may be able to replace the biting of one's arm to biting this rubbery object and still give your child the oral input that they may be craving. If the biting is done out of frustration, it is still done in a safer way. One company, The Sensory University, offers a pack of chew toys called CHEWY RETRACTABLE BITE BUDDIES that can be attached and retractable to a belt loop so they are on hand immediately whenever they are needed. There are also CHEWY TUBES as well as a TRI CHEW toy that looks like a triangle.
HITTING
Hitting can be a little trickier, depending on where the child is hitting himself. Some times, hitting can be prevented by holding down the child's arms. You want to do this only with enough force to prevent the child from lifting his arms to hit. You can also place your hand between your child's hand and the place your child is hitting. For example, if your child is hitting his forehead, you may be able to place your hand on the child's forehead to block the hit. This has worked with some children. I had a student who stopped hitting once he felt another hand there, blocking his face. He may hit one to two more times but then stopped. Another idea is to have the child wear a helmet if he engages in repetitive and severe hits or blows to his head. The best type of helmet to use is a soft foam helmet that is easy to put on and does not harm the head further if pounded on. It simply creates a soft space between the hand and the head to protect the head. One such helmet would be Playmaker Headgear. Be sure to get a helmet that fits your child's head properly. The helmet should only be put on while head hitting is occurring and then it can be removed.
Remember that these are measures that can be taken to help reduce the severity and/or harm that can happen as a result of SIBs. They are only tips that can be tried as a reactive strategy. They are not to be considered solutions. The best way to handle SIBS is to assess what is causing the SIB and address the specific function of the behavior. In this way, you can learn to be proactive and help prevent SIBs from happening at all.

Read more special education resources, especially tips for children with autism, on my blog, http://www.tips4specialkids.com

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Gluten And Casein Free Diets For Autistic Kids

2013-09-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

It's the parents of children with autism but not the doctors and researchers who found out the dietary treatment for autism firstly. These parents discovered that, after eating specific food, the autism of their kids got worse. So, they began to watch out which food is bad for autism. Since the effecting food for every child is different, but there's something in common. These common food include wheat, rye, barley, and most oat products, milk products, eggs and chocolate,etc.
In fact, children with autism may have trouble digesting proteins like gluten and casein which are widely found in oat and milk products. The gluten and casein can leak into the gut and attach to the opiate receptors of the autistic's brain, affecting brain functions. So, in the 1999 DAN (Defeat Autism Now) conference, there were many companies that have provided gluten-free and casein-free diet for parents.
Some now may ask what are gluten and casein exactly. Well, gluten is a protein fraction found in all wheat, rye, barley, and most oat products, but not in rice and potatoes. After having gluten-free diet for 6-12 months, most of the autistic children get a obvious improvement; Casein is a protein fraction found in all dairy products, such as milk, butter, cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, etc. Researchers had found that casein free diet is doing very well for autistic kids between 2-4 yr old.
The gluten-free, casein-free diet is challenging, but it can make a big difference for children with autism. It is important not to withdraw gluten/casein food products at once from a child's diet, as there can be withdrawal symptoms.

http://www.autism-world.com/index.php/2007/12/02/gluten-and-casein-free-diets-for-autistic-kids/
http://www.autism-world.com

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Choose the Best School for Your Autistic Kid

2013-09-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

We all want the very best for our children and having autistic kids increases our want of getting the best for them all the more. Like for all kids their journey begins from school but getting the best school for your autistic child can be a little difficult at times. The competition for an autistic kid to be at par with any other regular kid to make it to the best school is a tough call indeed. But is this tough call giving you sleepless nights as parents? You can say goodbye to these thoughts once and for all because schools are changing to favour the autistic as well. So when you choose your desired school make sure that you keep in mind the basic qualities that they must have to make a brilliant star out of your son.
The traits schools should have to deal with autism
It is a difficult task to look for a school that would bring out the best in your child and will be the right motivation to help your child fight the odds of autism and let them be at par if not better than any regular kid on the block. So without any further ado let me show you some of the fundamental points that you must keep in mind when zeroing in on the best school for your child:

Leadership and School Culture - any school should always strive to bring out the leadership qualities in every child because today's kids are the leaders of tomorrow. The school culture plays a crucial role in controlling the situations of anti-bullying of the autistic kids. It is the role of the teachers in schools to instil upon the kids to treat everyone as equals and not to make fun of anybody and that could be an autistic kid or anyone for that matter.

Technology - technology is everywhere and no matter how much we criticize it clearly it is here to stay so schools should not be far off to use it to their advantage. Technology helps tremendously in improving an autistic kid's condition. The reason for technology being an instant hit is because autistic kids find it easier to deal with machines than with humans.

Lunch - lunch is one noisy affair because that is the time kids can break free from the mundane studies and keeping quiet in class. But the problem during lunch break is that kids get to choose where they will sit and in most cases parents and teachers fear that they will not prefer to sit with an autistic kid. To stay clear from this fear teachers have fashioned the kids in a way that they don't get to differentiate between autistic kids and focus on the fact that everybody is equal. A little further to this were the small initiatives that teachers take in ensuring that kids get a turn to sit beside everyone in a cycle and share their tiffin so that there is no differentiation.

Friendship groups - different groups are established to make the bonds among class friends a lot stronger. Some of the most popular groups were game/movie night where all the kids would come together to play a game or watch a movie together, another popular group is the friendship group where the kids come together to cherish their friendship. These groups help in bringing the kids of the class together so that they get to enjoy their childhood without being burdened only with books.

Engage in extra-curricular activities - kids go to school not just to study but it is important that they have an all round development and to ensure that parents and teachers must encourage the kids to join the school chorus band or the dance or theatre group. All this encourages the kids to have an all round development which is important in shaping a good personality of the kid.

All these points must be given a lot of importance when choosing the school that you think will be best suited for your child. The best school is the first stepping stone towards designing a good future for your child so you deserve time and take the best call.

Kevin Halls is a doctor working at Wisconsin Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center. In this article, he discussed the points that must be given a lot of importance when choosing the school that you think will be best suited for your child

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Is Your Baby Autistic - Factors Which Are Responsible

2013-09-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

"But the Beast was a good person... the Prince looked on the outside the way the Beast was on the inside. Sometimes people couldn't see the inside of the person unless they like the outside of a person. Because they hadn't learned to hear the music yet" this quote could be synonymous with the current condition of any autistic child. They are beautiful souls but they fail to become likeable in mainstream society because of the way they are on the outside. But there has been a steady wind of change flowing smoothly that prompts people to change their perspective towards these autistic bunch of people. And needless to say that this change has been very welcoming specially for parents who have autistic kids.
Autism a disease?
Gone are the days when autism was considered a disease, all thanks to the advancement that medical science has made in the last couple of years autism is no longer a disease today that has no clinical treatment. Today autism is considered to be a disorder that happens due to some neurological disbalance which has a cure in the field of medical science. Autism affected people find it difficult to fit into any social gathering because the nerves that allows to interact, communicate and socialize with people gets affected the most. But is it really the fault of the children that they were autistic? They did not choose to be autistic they were born that way. So let them not face the brunt of it any longer because they deserve a lifestyle and a childhood as normal and fun-filled like ours.
Tracing the roots of autism
It is important that we try to trace back the factors that lead to autism. Parents need to be aware that autism is a neurological disorder and must do their bit in trying to protect their child from factors that are responsible for autism as early as when they have already conceived the baby and it's growing in their womb. So here is a quick look at some of the most critical factors that results in kids born as autistic:

Air pollution has grown up to be one of the rising factors that are responsible for autism. The air that a mother expecting a baby breathes in is obviously shared with the child in the womb and if that air is polluted then the chances of the baby having autism becomes 50% more.
Autism as a disorder is also genetic in nature. In this case you cannot really blame anybody but your own genes if your child suffers from autism. This is the most unfortunate case because the situation is not in your hand and you cannot control it.
Parents also play a crucial factor and contribute to a large extent if the child is born autistic. Parents keeping good health is a must while planning a baby because any health disorder affects the child resulting in autism. This kind of ill-health could be diabetes or even a bad immunity system. The major health contribution comes from the mother and it is extremely important for her to maintain a strong immunity system with no severe health issue that might have an adverse impact on the child.
The trending lifestyle of today's parents can also be responsible for a child to be born autistic. In today's time and age young couples give a lot of priority to their careers having little or no time to plan for a baby and when they do they are already late in terms of age. Planning for a baby at quite a late age is also an important factor that increases your chances of having an autistic baby. So to secure the future of your child it is important that you keep your career as a back burner and do the needful to give a better life to your child.

You must keep these things in mind because your child is your biggest asset and you would not want anything to go wrong for your baby. So do what it takes to see the twinkle in your child's eye that would lit up your life more than a thousand twinkling stars.
All it takes is to widen our perspective and think these special children are autistic-ally beautiful. It is time for people to realize that autism awareness is not important but autism acceptance is.

Allen Wood share his views at some of the most critical autism factors that are responsible for a baby born as autistic. He want to raise awareness among peoples realise that autism awareness is not important but autism acceptance is.

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Medical Testing for Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD

2013-07-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

It is generally accepted within the autism community - by parents and professionals alike - that autism is a behaviorally-based disorder, that is, diagnosis is based on observation of behavior and treatment focuses on alleviating challenging behaviors. However, a growing number of individuals within this expanding community also acknowledge that there exists an equally relevant biomedical component to the disorder that should not be overlooked in planning treatment programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. While recognizing the need for biomedical testing, both parents and medical professionals can be at a loss in understanding the array of tests available and how to determine which test(s) are most appropriate for a child or adult with an ASD.
The recommendations for testing that follow are based on my 10 years experience as a Laboratory Director of The Great Plains Laboratory, a medical laboratory which has performed more testing for people on the autism spectrum than any other place in the world. My recommendations are now also based on experience with my own 14-year-old stepdaughter, Paulina, who has severe autism.
Food Allergy Testing
The single most useful test for people on the autism spectrum is the comprehensive IgG food allergy test. The most common foods that are abnormal in children and adults on the spectrum are cow's milk, cheese, yogurt, wheat, barley, rye, spelt, and soy. We have documented these allergies at The Great Plains Laboratory by testing thousands of blood samples from people on the spectrum throughout the world. Multiple articles in the medical journals report similar abnormalities.
The incidence of high IgG antibodies to wheat and milk is approximately 90% in people on the autistic spectrum. Most individuals with IgG allergy or sensitivity to cow's milk are also allergic to goat's milk. Other common allergies include peanuts, eggs, citrus fruit, corn, sugar, and baking yeast. There are various allergy tests available, so it is very important to check which type of allergy test is being offered. Although helpful in some cases, I have not seen IgE food allergy testing to be as valuable for individuals with ASD. Unfortunately, this is the only kind of food allergy test that most laboratories offer.
Determining whether or not IgG food allergies are present is important. These allergies or sensitivites are associated with the reaction of foods with certain white blood cells that release powerful cytokines, protein substances like gamma-interferon that can cause profound behavioral changes and even psychosis. IgG allergies are found in children and adults on the entire autistic spectrum including autism, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), and in Asperger's syndrome. These abnormalities are also very common in attention deficit disorder as well.
Wheat and milk restriction has been one of the most successful treatments for individuals on the spectrum. Prior to initiation of the gluten and casein free diet, Paulina spent most of the day screaming, crying, throwing tantrums and pulling things off the shelves. She could not go to dinner at a restaurant because she was so hyperactive that she would squirm out of her seat and wander around the restaurant. All of these difficult behaviors ceased after implementation of the gluten free and casein free diet (as well as an antifungal treatment).
Testing for Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is another common disorder of wheat intolerance with an incidence of about 1:150 among people of European descent. The incidence of this disorder does not appear to be higher in those on the autism spectrum than in the general population, although people on the spectrum occasionally have celiac disease also. Celiac disease can be confirmed by the presence of antibodies to the intestinal enzyme transglutaminase, which is involved in the biochemical processing of gluten.
Inhalant Allergy Testing
Allergies to things in the air is termed inhalant allergies. These allergies, in contrast to food allergies, do need to be tested with IgE tests. Some of the most common allergies are mold, mildew, pollen, cats, dogs, birds, and dust. One child with autism had a severe behavioral reaction whenever a certain special teacher entered the classroom. After testing for inhalant allergies, we found that the child had severe cat allergies. The teacher was a cat lover and had several at home. The cat hair would get on the teacher's clothes and trigger allergic reactions in the child. The child was transferred to another teacher and the severe behavioral reactions ceased.
Testing for Yeast
Another very common abnormality in autism is a gastrointestinal overgrowth of Candida. Candida is a member of the yeast family - a type of fungus. Drugs that kill yeast or fungus are called antifungal drugs. The greatest bulk of Candida is present in the intestinal tract, although it may occasionally enter the bloodstream and has been detected in the blood of children with autism by a highly sensitive test called PCR that measures the Candida DNA. There are about a dozen species of Candida but three of the most common are Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida krusei.
There are many reasons for controlling Candida overgrowth. Excessive Candida can inhibit normal digestion and absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, as well as prevent the production of important vitamins needed for optimal health. Candida produces many toxic byproducts including gliotoxins, which can cause impairment to the immune system. In addition, large portions of a Candida cell wall protein (HWP1) have a structure which is virtually identical to the wheat protein gluten. Because of this similarity, Candida binds to the enzyme transglutaminase, which is present in the intestinal lining. This binding to transglutaminase anchors long strands of the yeast cells to the intestine like ivy vines climbing a brick wall. This anchoring inhibits the yeast from being mechanically dislodged as digested food passes by. The binding of Candida to transglutaminase also interferes with the normal function of this enzyme in the digestion of gluten. If pieces of the Candida cell wall protein (which is similar to gluten) enter the bloodstream, they may react with one of the blood clotting factors that also has transglutaminase activity, leading to interference in the blood clotting mechanism. These modified proteins may not be recognized by the immune system, which as a result, can lead to autoimmune diseases. Lastly, the Candida cells can also produce digestive enzymes like proteases and phospholipase that actually eat away the intestinal lining, allowing undigested food molecules to pass through into the bloodstream, and as a result, cause more food allergies.
Candida can be detected by culturing the stool on Petri dishes or by measuring the amount of chemicals produced in the intestinal tract. These byproducts can be measured in the urine organic acid test (OAT), which also checks for inborn errors of metabolism, nutritional deficiencies, and other factors. These chemicals or fermentation products are absorbed from the intestinal tract by the blood vessels called the portal veins. These blood vessels carry these fermentation products to the liver where they are distributed throughout the bloodstream. The blood containing these fermentation products is filtered through the kidney and is excreted in the urine.
It is important to know that Stool testing can frequently miss the presence of Candida when there are high amounts of antibodies called IgA in the intestine. These IgA antibodies may coat the yeast cells and inhibit their growth enough to prevent them from growing in the Petri dish even though they may still be able to grow enough in the intestine to cause problems. Such a situation can lead to a false negative result.
By testing the yeast fermentation products in urine, this problem can usually be overcome. However, about 10% of yeast do not produce the common fermentation products. We have resolved this problem by offering a COMBO test for both the yeast fermentation products - the urine organic acid test (OAT) - as well as the yeast culture from stool. If the yeast can be cultured, there is the added advantage that the sensitivity of the yeast to various drugs or natural agents can be determined. Many yeast have developed resistance to various antifungal drugs because of the widespread use of these drugs in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Like people with HIV, many people on the autism spectrum have a serious lack of immunity to Candida. One possible reason that people with autism have this problem is that the measles vaccine virus can severely impair the ability of the cellular immune system (Vaccine Jan 8, 2001) to control Candida. We have found this same lack of cellular immunity in people with autism. The Great Plains Laboratory expects to have a test for this defect available shortly and a possible treatment as well.
Alongside the GF/CF diet, reducing or eliminating yeast overgrowth has been one of the more effective methods of reducing autistic symptoms. Paulina had been on antifungal treatment (Nystatin) for several years but her behavior began to deteriorate markedly. Testing showed that her yeast had developed resistance to Nystatin. With this change, she had become extremely hyperactive and uncooperative. She spent much of the time crying and whining, had difficulty sleeping, and pulled things off the table. Within six hours of starting the antifungal drug Diflucan, her normal smiling behavior returned. Unfortunately, with prolonged use, Diflucan can sometimes cause liver damage so we implemented a limited carbohydrate diet to help control the yeast after we discontinued the Diflucan. With successful antifungal treatment, parents have reported reduced aggressive and self-hurtful behaviors, improved learning at school, improved focus and concentration, better sleep and reduced hyperactivity. Many parents don't realize that antifungal treatment is a long-term issue in autism; others treat with antifungal drugs that are ineffective. It's important that antifungal treatment be done under the supervision of a qualified medical professional. A less expensive microbial organic acid test can be done regularly to make sure that the yeast or harmful bacteria have not returned.
Testing for Clostridia
Several years ago, I began a collaborative study with Dr. Walter Gattaz, a research psychiatrist at the Central Mental Health Institute of Germany in Mannheim to evaluate urine samples of patients with schizophrenia. These samples were very valuable since they were obtained from patients who were drug-free. Thus, any biochemical abnormalities would be due to their disease and not a drug effect. Five of the twelve samples contained a very high concentration of a compound identified as a derivative of the amino acid tyrosine, which is very similar to but not identical to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid. I have since identified this compound as 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropionic acid or HPHPA. This particular compound has been linked to colonization of the intestinal tract with Clostridia bacteria.
How is this important to autism? HPHPA is found to be much higher in the urine of autistic children than in normal children. People with autism who have high values of this compound may have extremely abnormal or even psychotic behavior. One child with high amounts of HPHPA in urine kicked out the windows of the family car while being transported to school. Clostridia can be treated with the antibiotics Vancomycin or Flagyl. The first patient in a medical study improved after Flagyl treatment but then regressed when the drug was discontinued. The same child was retreated with a six-week course of Vancomycin. A developmental specialist estimated that the child had gained six months of development after the six weeks of therapy. Again, the child regressed after discontinuation of therapy. The use of beneficial bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus GG, whose brand name is Culturelle, is very useful in controlling Clostridia species in most cases and can be safely used for years if necessary. This product has about a millionth of a gram of the milk protein casein in each capsule but such a small amount is unlikely to have a significant effect in most milk-sensitive people.
Testing for HPHPA is also included on the full organic acid test or microbial organic acid test of the Great Plains Laboratory. It is important to be aware that some laboratories incorrectly measure DHPPA as a marker for Clostridia.DHPPA is a byproduct of chlorogenic acid, a common substance found in beverages and in many fruits and vegetables including apples, pears, tea, coffee, sunflower seeds, carrots, blueberries, cherries, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, sweet potatoes, and peaches. In addition, it is also a chemical byproduct of the good bacteria, E-coli and Lactobacillus.
The Toxicity of Mercury
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal found throughout the environment. Mercury can enter the environment from deposits of ore containing mercury due to wind or rain or from the actions of humans. In addition to mercury from the vaccine preservative Thimerisol, other major sources of mercury that contaminate humans are dental fillings, which are about 50% mercury and large fish such as tuna and swordfish.
Mercury exists in two major forms, inorganic and organic. Inorganic mercury consists of metallic mercury and inorganic mercury compounds called salts. Metallic mercury is a liquid at room temperature. It is the shiny silver material in thermometers and is commonly combined with silver as an alloy for dental fillings. Liquid mercury from thermometers can give off vapor if a thermometer breaks which could then be absorbed through the lungs. Mercury is also used in alkaline batteries. Organic mercury compounds include methylmercury, ethylmercury, and phenylmercury. Methylmercury is produced from inorganic mercury by microorganisms in the environment and perhaps by the microorganisms in the intestinal tract. Methylmercury is extremely toxic. Exposure to three drops of methylmercury to the gloved hands of a researcher was fatal. Mercury exposure should be avoided at all costs.
It is important to note that the symptoms of mercury toxicity closely mirror the clinical symptoms of autism.. Parents of a child who had developmental delays and a muscle disorder contacted me because the child's tests had revealed high levels of mercury in the hair and blood. They reported that their child ate salmon or tuna five or six times a week. Although fish are an excellent source of essential fatty acids, most large fish have significant amounts of methylmercury. The FDA has recommended that pregnant women abstain from certain fish high in mercury. Since methylmercury is fat soluble, it might also contaminate supplements derived from fish oils. In addition, mercury was used as an antifungal agent in paint prior to 1992. Therefore, anyone in an older house needs to be aware that peeling paint or sanding off existing paint could lead to mercury exposure. Mercury in the fillings of pregnant women may be a significant source of exposure to developing infants in utero. Ethyl mercury, the most common preservative found in vaccines, has been present as a preservative in other products as well: contact lens solutions, nasal sprays, and in ear and eye drops.
Testing for Heavy Metals
Heavy metals may often have combined effects so that exposure to multiple heavy metals at low levels might be just as toxic as exposure to one metal at a high level. Heavy metals found to be elevated in children and adults with autism and PDD include uranium, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, lead, aluminum, and antimony. Hair is the easiest sample to collect in most cases and is generally considered one of the best samples for screening for heavy metals since the heavy metals, such as mercury, may be 250 times higher in the hair than in the blood. However, the use of hair metal testing is controversial. The State of New York bans hair testing for heavy metals while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the US Government promotes hair screening for mercury as a very useful method. In New York State tests for heavy metals in blood or urine may have to be used instead of hair. Chelation treatment with the chelating agent DMSA is probably the most effective treatment at this time for those people with abnormal values.
Multiple tests can be very useful to pinpoint the most significant biochemical abnormalities so that treatment can be focused on the most important issues. Although each autistic child will experience varying levels of success with biomedical testing and treatments, I would like to share one success story that outlines what can happen in some cases. Three years ago, a family came to visit from Turkey with their four-year-old son with severe autism. They insisted that they wanted every single test offered by the laboratory. I tried to convince them to reduce the financial burden by suggesting which tests might be delayed to a later time. They would not listen and insisted firmly that they get every test available. Two years later I received a letter from the parents who had implemented all the therapies indicated by the testing. Their son had completely recovered and was successfully attending a regular school classroom without an aide.
The tests emphasized in this article have been useful to people with autism of every degree of severity. Parents and treating professionals who want to embark on biomedical testing should first start with this group. Many other tests may be useful to people with autism of every age; they are indicated in Table 1. Most tests are covered by insurance but HMO's generally do not pay unless the physician gets advance approval from a review committee.
As concerned parents and professionals, it is vitally important that we be holistic in our approach to treatment and investigate whether or not biomedical/biochemical agents are contributing to autistic symptoms. Only then will we be best able to successfully reduce or eliminate the behavioral challenges associated with autism spectrum disorders.

BIO
William Shaw Ph.D. is the Director of The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc., which specializes in metabolic and nutritional testing, especially in autism. Dr. Shaw received a Ph.D. in biochemistry, genetics, and human physiology from the Medical University of South Carolina and is board certified in the fields of clinical chemistry and toxicology by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry. He has supervised large endocrinology, nutritional biochemistry, toxicology, and immunology departments in positions at the Center for Disease Control and Smith Kline Clinical Laboratories in Atlanta, Georgia. He was Director of Clinical Chemistry, Endocrinology, and Toxicology at Children's Mercy Hospital, the teaching hospital of the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Medicine. For more information telephone 913.341.8949; email: GPL4U@aol.com; website: http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com.
The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc. is the world leader in providing testing for nutritional factors in chronic illnesses such as autism, fibromyalgia, and ADD.
We offer a variety of metabolic tests such as immune deficiency evaluation, amino acid tests, essential fatty acid tests, glutathione levels, metal toxicity and food allergies tests. To find a specialist or to obtain a physician referral, our customer service department is available to assist you. Free 30 minute phone consultations to assist in the interpretation of our test results are also available.
The Great Plains Laboratory is located in Lenexa, Kansas, in the Greater Kansas City area. You don't need to travel to Kansas City to have a test done in our laboratory; you or your doctor may order test kits by phone, fax, or over the Internet. You can count on our experienced team of biochemists and lab technicians, as well as first-class customer service staff. We help patients from all over the world to reach their potential, and to live a healthier life. Read testimonials from people who have used our services.
Please contact one of our representatives if you need assistance ordering a test kit. When we complete the test, we will send copies of the test results to you and your doctor with the interpretation. For a more detailed interpretation, please call to schedule a consultation with our nutrition specialist.
For more information visit our website at http://www.gpl4u.com

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Applied Behavioral Analysis and Autism

2013-07-24T08:34:00.001-07:00

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is the leading scientific method that helps patients with Autism to overcome their condition. In order to improve their condition, ABA specialists focus on a system of reward, which encourages positive actions like speech, social activity and life skill improvements. This works mostly with children as they are more likely to absorb and accept new challenges; this is commonly referred to as "positive reinforcement" in the literature and has become one of the leading directions for treatment. ABA therapy was devised and implemented by Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas at UCLA in 1987. Since then, ABA therapy has become a leading branch of psychology - behaviorism.
How does ABA work?
Since autistic children have low capacity of absorption, tasks are broken down into different areas, and then children focus on each of them separately through an approach known as discrete trial training (DTT). This method allows autistic children to learn tasks like persistent eye contact, fine and gross motor skills, academics, conversation ability, self help and others. The process usually starts with the most basic skills and moves on towards more complicated ones as the child develops.
New Advancements
In recent years, there has been a new approach to DTT, which focuses on a reward system. Basically, the child is always awarded, no matter how small a progress he/she made. If a child does not complete a task, the therapist will then guide him/her towards the correct answer. After a while, this makes the child learn on his/her own, without the help from a therapist. This is referred to as "errorless learning" in the literature and is widely accepted as one of the best methods for teaching autistic children.
Applied Verbal Behavior (VB) is a recent development within applied behavioral science. As the name implies, it focuses mainly of speech reinforcement, but some other skills are involved as well. This branch of behavioral science bases its efforts on the work of Dr. F. Skinner, who devised a division of speech in 1957. According to Dr. F. Skinner, there are several forms of verbal behavior - mands (requests), echoes (verbal imitations), tacts (labels) and intraverbals (conversational responses). Each of these forms has a specific nature, and VB tries to convey this to autistic children. The aim of VB is to teach autistic children the value of speech, and instruct them how to use it properly. Instead of simply labeling things ("this is a car") they are taught how to integrate their knowledge into everyday communication and social interaction. This type of therapy allows them integrate into society.

Working With Autism is the leader in autism therapy and treatment services for children in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and Ventura County. Since 1997, they're happily assisted families in the area with professional treatment services. Please visit their website to learn more: http://www.workingwithautism.com/

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Medical ID Bracelets Can Provide Autism Awareness

2013-06-11T07:39:00.003-07:00

There are times when it is necessary to have medical id bracelets, in order to smoothly resolve situations and in many cases, save lives. Having the proper information about a person's condition, can soothe or avert a catastrophe. Well, in the case of autism, the wearing of autism awareness bracelets can bring a lot of understanding to what is, or what could become an overwhelming situation for all involved.
People who have loved ones, who live their lives through the unique and varied viewpoint of autism, may or may not have considered having them wear autism id bracelets. Now, there is no blanket set of instructions for how to interact with a lost, distressed or even injured person with autism. Still, knowing that a person has this diagnosis can alert those who are attempting to assist, that special care needs to be taken. Understanding that a person's reactions or interactions are likely to be quite unusual, will ease much of the confusion before it even gets under way.
Medical id bracelets are common place these days. Rarely is anyone taken aback about a diabetes bracelet, or even the use of medical alert bracelets. It is just that most people do not necessarily consider the use of this form of identification, for a condition like autism. Unfortunately, there can be a stigma associated with autism, but autism awareness bracelets are simply a way to deliver important information in emergency situations. These types of autism bracelets can even keep situations from escalating into emergencies.
With autism id bracelets, new social situations can become less of a challenge. There will be less of a need to have to launch into detailed medical discourses and more of an avenue to just uniquely experience new social outings. Life has plenty of challenges. When people have an altered view of the world at large, there can be a few more bumps in the road. Frustration can become the dominating state of mind for those affected by autism. It may be tough to fathom that something as small as autism awareness bracelets, could help to ease this issue. Still, think of how helpful the words "allergic to penicillin" have been. If a person with autism is wandering or ends up unescorted at a hospital, the people who are trying to help will at least be on alert for potentially different reactions to situations.
Knowledge is power. Autism id bracelets can help empower people in crisis situations. Autism awareness bracelets can help avert crisis situations. Misunderstandings and misdiagnosis have been at the root of many an unfortunate event. It is often best to present the situation as clearly as possible. There is no one size fits all interaction with those who have autism, but just grasping that the way the world is processed through their minds, means making adjustments in expectations and approaches. Any experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. The more that people interact with those who have different viewpoints, the broader their horizons will become. Autism bracelets can help people better understand and therefore, accept one another.

Autism Awareness Bracelets
Medical Identification Jewelry
Paul S, 29 year old writer from USA provides fascinating insights on his love for Health. He is action-oriented and has a strong work ethic. He enjoys reading, writing, socializing, meeting people, and traveling.

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Autism, Head Banging and Ear Slapping - Two Behavior Characteristics

2013-05-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

As a researcher and autism survivor, I can state that children with autism can hear sounds above the average person hearing range. Although high pitch sounds cannot be heard normally, to an autistic child these sounds can cause intense inner ear pain.
Knocking The Pain Out
In an effort to stop this inner ear pain, the autistic child will cover or slap their ears or in severe cases bang their head against a wall to knock out the pain.
This inner ear pain was virtually unknown to my parents.
Being isolated in my own world where this pain existed, I saw the world from the inside out. I was not able to cross over to a proper reality.
This self isolation was caused by the inability for my brain to ground to its physical body.
My brain's inability to ground to its physical body didn't allow me to complete the pathway or circuit into a normal reality. In the world I lived in, I spoke properly, maintained mental focus, emotional balance and occasionally felt this inner ear pain.
This lack of grounding prevented me from traveling back and forth between a normal reality and the reality that I functioned in.
Also without this grounding I was unable to create any mental, physical or emotional environmental filters that would protect me from these high pitch sounds. In a normal reality, people can filter out these sounds, protecting them from this intense inner ear pain. I could not.
I have since discovered that there are two causes why my brain could not ground to its physical body:
1) The chemical reaction caused by vaccination preservative's that seem to distort the brain's ability to form proper brain wave frequencies needed for this grounding to occur.
2) The electro magnetic fields of energy in the home that interferes with the brain's circuitry. These fields of energy are generated by the use of fluorescent lighting, microwave ovens, TV's, computers, electronic equipment, flying in airplanes, and driving in a car.
The Take Away
When your child starts slapping their ears or banging their head, they are not being defiant, they are in terrible pain.

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Coming to Grips With Autism

2013-05-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

When children are diagnosed with a condition that falls on the autism spectrum, parents might be a bit frightened about what the future holds. With the right care and a tremendous amount of support, however, kids can go on to much success in life. The key for the parents will be developing some intervention strategies that they can use to help their children learn. There are a broad away of techniques that can ultimately be used to manage the disease and give young boys and girls the best chance of reaching their potential in life.
Special Education
One-on-one tutoring will be essential to eventual success. If young children are severely affected by autism, then they will need to attend special education classes. In such classes, they can learn at their own pace. Even further, they will be matched with a licensed speech pathologist. Such pathologists can ensure that their students learn how to communicate verbally with others. Most professional pathologists will teach youngsters how to properly enunciate their vowels and consonants.
Social Skills and Building Friendships
Alongside academic progress, children with autism will also need to learn how to engage with other people. Teaching these individuals some basic social skills might be the hardest part of the process. Many boys and girls have trouble focusing on exterior stimuli, and they will often need to be shown how to respond to guidance from others. Once kids develop a few friends who they can trust, the road ahead will be considerably smoother. Still, many of the social skills that come naturally to most people will have to be reinforced with autism sufferers again and again.
Medication
Though autism cannot be eliminated through doses of psychiatric medication, there are some indications that the condition can at least be controlled. Most often, nurse practitioners will prescribe antidepressants and antipsychotics. These medications are designed to help people deal with some of the negative thoughts that are running through their heads. Kids who are suffering from seizures might likewise be given anticonvulsants. A full examination should be performed before any of these are tried.
Regular Clinical Examinations
When it comes to autism, regular visits to a clinical specialist will also be needed. If some of the symptoms have been growing worse through time, then doctors must reassess the treatment plan that was originally set out for the patient. In some cases, the medications themselves will need to be tweaked. In other cases, a new special education professional will be brought in to boost the learning capacity of the child.
Guidance from an Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist can also help people deal with the routine tasks of everyday life. This is especially true for individuals who are approaching adulthood. With the right network of professionals supporting them, most people can become somewhat independent.
In the end, there is no panacea for autism. The cause of the condition is not well understood, and those who suffer from the disease will have obstacles to overcome. Though a cure is not possible at the present time, effective management strategies can certainly be found and used.

CBI Monarch House Autism Centre 3185 Willingdon Green Burnaby, BC V5G 4P3? (604) 205-9204

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How Massage Can Help You and Your Child With Autism

2013-05-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

The recent CDC statistics that were released show that 1 in 50 children have Autism Spectrum disorder! This is an alarming increase from the last CDC statistics that estimated closer to 1 in 80. he CDC found more children above the age of 7 (above the age of normal diagnosis) which may account for the higher statistics. With the upcoming combination of what historically been several types of Autism into one encompassing Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD it creates a need for possibilities of treatment for the wide range of ages and symptoms with children diagnosed with ASD.
Massage is a great treatment option as it is not only low cost but helps facilitate and nurture a stronger bond between child and parent. The many benefits that may come from using massage are: improvements were seen in sleep patterns, on-task behavior, parent and child communication, increased positive responses to being touched, positive social interaction, motor skills, sensory function, language function, and general health. There are a lot of scientific data that backs up all of the benefits but results can still vary on each individual child..
Sleeping is a monumental issue with children of all ages, and something that parents can attest to after a long night of walking their child back to their room! A study done introduced the use of Touch to several families with ASD children, not only did the parents feel more in control and closer after the Touch training was done but also gained the perception by parents of the children as having improved sleep patterns, children were more relaxed after receiving the massage and appeared more open to touch1.
Children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) can often have trouble with attention behaviors which impact development of social interactions and relationships with others. In a study aimed at exploring how aromatherapy massage could increase shared attention behaviors, Steve Solomons, assistant head teacher at Rectory Paddock School and Research Unit in London set out to explore these issues. The children's responses were observed through the introduction of Aromatherapy. The results indicate that the children's shared attention behaviors increased during aromatherapy massage and other positive behavioral changes2.
Alternatively, standardized tests showed a decrease in common autistic behaviors, improvement in motor skills, sensory function, general health and language development in children. Using medical Qigong massage twice weekly from the physician and adding in daily massage from parents for a five week period created these results.
Multiple studies have shown that through the use of massage, children with ASD have seen improvements in wandering, more time showing on-task behavior, less time showing negative responses to being touched, and less time resisting the teacher than those in the control group4. Others reaffirm the use of massage as a way to improve social relatedness behavior during play observations at school, and fewer sleep problems at home5.
With all of the documented reasons why to start massaging there are some considerations to keep in mind. Similar to any medical treatment, consultation and guidance of a healthcare provider is a necessity! Important things to remember when massing your child is to always ask the permission, keeping the child involved is key, additionally adjusting and adapting your massage strokes for your child taking care and caution, making eye contact and continually using verbal and visual ques during the massage.
Copyright (c) 2013 Liddle Kidz Foundation Infant and Children's Pediatric Massage

Looking for tips and techniques to improve your child's health? Find answers to all your questions about autism massage, children's and pediatric massage at http://www.liddlekidz.com.

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Organizations for Autism and Their Motto

2013-05-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

Autistic children and adults face constant barriers in experiencing the joys of regular activities that individuals normally enjoy. It has been observed that such barriers are more of a societal imposition rather than personal decision. Organizations for autism function with the intent of integrating such children and adults with special abilities with the larger society by way of successful inclusion.
Numerous testimonies have certified the fact that the inclusion of autistic individuals in group activities is a rewarding experience indeed. For instance, organizers of summer camps have attested that even though there was skepticism in the initial stages of organization, the subsequent stages of interaction with autistic individuals changed everybody for the better. These individuals offer a different world view, and are an inspiration to many for their power of perseverance, and determination to overcome obstacles.
Organizations for autism strive to help autistic individuals to find a place for themselves in society. The process demands both patience and preparation. The primary demons that need to be exhumed are the fear of unknown, and negative attitudes. Fear is the natural reaction to things that defy knowledge and logic, and so is the case with autism. Many a times, it is seen that care-takers and teachers are plagued by doubt about the effectiveness of developing a different curriculum for children with special needs. On the other hand, autistic individuals feel compromised by their inability to adjust and learn quickly. Collective organizations for autism are primarily formed with the intent of spreading knowledge and awareness among the larger society, so that both the society and the autistic person can overcome personal fear and make an attempt to accommodate each other.
Let us look at the ways in which various organizations attempt to fulfill their promise of societal integration.

The mission statement: This is the most important part of the campaign. The mission statement defines the organization's philosophy, and clearly expresses the desire for all-inclusive, productive growth. People looking for autism organizations read the mission statement and debate whether the statement claims to be all-inclusive, or aims at catering to individuals with particular needs only. The most successful organizations are those that cater to every single child, in an attempt to integrate autistic children with the larger society.

Admission policies: Stringent admission policies are often a deterrent. Therefore, autism organizations frame their policies in such a way that exceptions can be made for children with special needs. For instance, autistic children benefit greatly by attempting to undertake swimming lessons, as the exercise is helpful for improving their motor capabilities. Yet, a lot of them will not be able to participate in the activity in the absence of life vests. If the admission policies are lenient and pliant, then life vests will be made permissible and available for children who need them. Organizations that are willing to be accommodating attract greater crowds compared to those that are very strict with their admission policies.

Organizations for autism aim at helping autistic children to grow and develop their mental and societal skills so that they can become self-reliant and productive individuals. The only way to achieve this is to attempt and achieve mutual understanding and cooperation between the autistic individuals and the larger society as a whole. These organizations not only spread awareness, but also thrive towards a larger societal integration.

Is a doctor working with an autism organization in California. In this article, she provides important information regarding the benefits and motto of Organizations For Autism.

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Dog Therapy: The Latest Addition To The List Of Therapies For Autism

2013-05-15T08:11:00.001-07:00

Animals, over the years, have proven their inestimable importance in the treatment procedures of individuals with special needs. For instance, persons with visual impairments are accompanied by trained Seeing-Eye dogs to adequately negotiate their physical environment and avoid any accidents. A growing number of researchers and doctors have propounded the theory that dogs can be used in the treatment of autistic individuals, for not only do they provide physical protection, but also emotional support.
"Autism dogs" are trained to provide assistance to individuals with autism spectrum disorder. These dogs are physically connected to the autistic individual by means of chains or ropes for either of the two following reasons.

Firstly, these "service dogs" ensure the safety of the autistic individual. For instance, they will prevent a child with autism from darting across a busy street. If the child has a tendency to walk wayward and get lost, then the dog can prevent the child from straying off by virtue of its own weight. These service dogs are also trained to follow instructions from parents. They are trained to notify the parents if they sense any danger. Such instances may involve the moments when the autistic child is unhappy and has a propensity towards causing harm to himself/herself. The presence of a dog is like an additional source of security, as it is not always possible for a parent/care-taker/relative to accompany the autistic child.

Secondly, proponents of this method also state that the child tends to develop an emotional relation with the "service dog". Moreover, the presence of the animal can help to minimize, and gradually eliminate the frequency of emotional outbursts that are common among autistic children. The dog can also function as the focal point for conversing with other children. In this way, the autistic child will also develop his/her language and communication skills.

There are numerous testimonials that attest the effectiveness of "Dog Therapy" in the treatment of autism. Two primary outcomes have been observed:

Enhanced physical security and safety.

Enhanced emotional, retentive and social skills.

Parents and family members need to submit applications for obtaining a "service dog" to the organizations where they are available, like 4 Paws For Ability, National Service Dogs, Autism Service Dogs Of America etc. The cost incurred is approximately around 20,000 dollars. The basis of procurement of a service dog does not, in any way, depend on the severity of the debilitating condition, or the age of the autistic child. The application does not focus on the autistic child's level of functionality.
Once the application has been granted, then the parents of the autistic child can work in unison with the trainer and condition the dog to get habituated to the particular conditions of the autistic child. Moreover, the dog is also trained to follow instructions given by the parents.
The definite causes of autism, and the particular chemicals that can improve the condition are still much debated, just as the several complementary non-invasive therapies that are aimed at the overall cognitive, linguistic and emotional development of the autistic child. "Dog Therapy" is yet another addition to the list of contested therapies for autism treatment. Yet, it has already proven its success, as children who undergo this therapy are safe from accidents, and can develop their emotional skills.

Donald Kevin is a researcher working at an autism clinic in California. In this article, he provides important information regarding methods for Autistic Treatment.

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Autism Medication - What is Head Banging?

2013-05-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

Head Banging is an activity that some children with Autism engage in. There are also children without disabilities that head bang but is it easier to talk to them. Because it is easier to communicate with typical children it is easier to convince them not to do it.
This activity seems to be particularly disturbing to the parent of a child with a disability. I certainly found it to be one of the most troublesome behaviors that my child developed. If for no other reason than the parent's peace of mind, it is important to find a solution to this problem Of course there is another reason to find a solution.
Doctors are not positive why some children with Autism do this. Some doctors believe the child at one point is sick with something like an ear ache or some other pain. They bump their heads on something hard and get relief. Unfortunately, after the ear ache or other pain is gone they continue to bump their heads
It is believe, again by some doctors, that children continue to bump their heads because it feels good. The problem is those bumps can become harder and harder. To the point parents are afraid that their child will permanently damage themselves and further add to their disability.
Luckily there are a variety of medications which may help with this behavior. Although you may have to search for a doctor with experience in this area, it is available. Some parents use a helmet with their child. One of the disadvantages is the obvious difference between your child and another child. One of the advantages is not introducing more medication into our children's system.

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Mylinda Elliott is the parent of five children. The third of the five has Autism which was diagnosed early on. The fourth of the five children has Aspergers. She is a self taught expert on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Mylinda Elliott has also worked professionally in the disability world for the past fifteen years. She is considered the "Go To" woman for advice or resources on disabilities.

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Should Suspected Autistic Infants Be Given Iron Supplements?

2013-05-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

You may not realize it but one in 88 children which are born in the United States now have autism. One mother told me that if this were any other medical issue or a disease, people would be outraged, and demand more research trying to figure out how to stop it, what causes it, or how to prevent it. Yes, I agree with her. Further, there are so many theories as to what causes it, or if it is just another evolutionary step for humankind, as our biological system works out the details as our brains are required to do more to survive, and to ensure that humans procreate in the future.
If there are smarter people having more babies because they can afford to, and people who are less intelligent having fewer babies because they cannot economically afford them, then we have a dynamic shift in who gets born to which families. If those families which have intelligent mothers and fathers have more complex brain biological features, then perhaps this could be an evolutionary issue, one that can be disrupted by other problems such as environmental issues, or maybe those brains need more in the way of certain types of nourishments as they are forming.
Of course, there are enough theories behind all of this speculation that it could drive someone nuts just plotting and all, but when you chart out all the different theories, it seems they do have at least some common themes. Recently there was a meeting of international researchers in Spain, a conference on autism.
After which, there was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal recently titled; "Autism Linked to Environmental Factors - New Studies of Air Pollution, Pesticides and Iron Bolster Evidence Tying Developmental Does Order to Influence His in Womb," by Shirley S Wang. The article stated amongst other things that;" one presentation suggested that iron supplements before an early in pregnancy may lower the risk, and a third suggested some association between use of various household insecticides and a higher risk of autism."
Sure, all of this does make sense because autism is caused by a change in brain formation and development. Of course, after the child is born the brain is still developing, so is there a way to make up for it, or some of it, and if so what if we gave on iron supplements to those children after they were born if they were suspected to have autism? Do our baby foods lack iron? Does mother's milk lack it due to diets? What causes a lack of iron?
These are questions I dare to ask, and I think we need more studying here. Since the US government is funding more brain research, how about it? How much would cost to do the study?
There are some mothers who are already giving supplements to their children, including iron supplements, or have them on specific diets which may contain more iron than other types of diets. It's just a matter of looking at statistics. Well, I hate to add more speculation and theories to all those already presented, but I wonder if anyone knows the answers to the questions I proposed this article. Please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Future Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net

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Early Intervention Helps In Better Treatment Of Autism

2013-05-06T11:26:00.003-07:00

Each autistic individual has a unique set of problems and deficiencies that cannot be grouped under a broader category. Therefore, the treatment chart for every autistic child, or adult needs to be planned creatively and intuitively in such a way that the individual can participate in the activities and not have adverse reactions to them. Autism treatment varies according to the individual case and hence, they must be planned keeping the specific needs of the patient in mind.
Intervention can be made by adopting medicines, or behavioral therapies, or even both in some cases. Autistic individuals often have accompanying disorders like sleep deficiency, gastrointestinal distress, and seizures. Treating these conditions will help to improve focus, attentiveness and capability of data retention.
Behavioral therapy, in its early stages involves co-operation between the family members and the group of professionals. In some cases, therapists often conduct the sessions at the home of the autistic individual. These programs include parent training, as the parents conduct the sessions under the supervision and guidance of the trained professional. In case of other programs, the sessions are conducted in classrooms, preschool or specialized centers.
Methods of intervention and therapy need to be open-ended and flexible so that they can be tweaked slightly to suit the specific needs as the patients condition improves. For instance, when autistic children are enrolled into school, then they would benefit greatly from specialized teaching approaches and targeted training of social skills. Autistic adolescents, on the other hand are inclined to benefit and learn greatly from vocational skills that train them to become independent, and also helps them to find a suitable mode of employment.
Types Of Early Intervention Remedial Procedures That Are Available
Scientific studies and research have confirmed two early intervention methods to be beneficial for the treatment of autism. The first procedure is the Early Start Denver Model, while the second is Lovass Model which is based on ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis. Other behavioral therapies like Floortime, Verbal Behavior Therapy and Pivotal Response Therapy have also yielded positive results.
Options For Treating Preschool Children And Toddlers
For an autistic child, the sooner the treatment starts, the better are the results. Early intervention with intensive behavioral therapies help to improve social skills, communication and learning. Although the results vary from one child to another, every child certainly benefits. Extensive observation and research has helped doctors and therapists to chalk out a number of therapeutic and activity-based methods that will benefit autistic children and help them to develop their social, vocal and cognitive skills. Some of them are as follows:
The autistic child is made to participate in well-structured therapeutic activities for a minimum of 25 hours every week.
Only extremely well-trained teachers and therapists conduct these intervention sessions. Paraprofessionals may also conduct these sessions, but strictly under the guidance of their superiors.
Each session has a well-planned objective. The session administrators carefully record and evaluate the child's ability to complete the task and meet the set objectives.
The activities are planned in such a way that specific problem areas are addressed. The main areas of concentration are the child's social skills, linguistic and communication skills, imitation, motor skills and play skills.
These activities are conducted in such a way that an autistic child has the opportunity to interact and communicate with similarly developing peers.
Parents are actively engaged, as they play an important role in the decision-making process.
A multi-disciplinary team of therapists generally conduct these sessions. The team includes a physician, occupational therapist and linguistic pathologist.
A very minor percentage of autistic children have recorded complete recovery. Such cases, as is often speculated, may be a result of initial misdiagnoses, the effectiveness of medicines and therapy, or the ability of the body's immune system to fight the specific debilitations and overcome them. In other cases, the specific symptoms of autism can be controlled with regular treatment, and thereby help the child to develop faculties, traits and skills that make him/her more socially acceptable, and adept to find a suitable employment opportunity.

Milan Zones is a researcher working in a center that is devoted to the training of autistic children. In this article, he provides important information about early intervention and Autism Treatment California.

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An Overview of Autism Information and Symptoms

2013-05-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

Autism is often described as a sort of neuro-developmental crisis. The classical autism symptoms often are related with an assortment of other symptoms and are together called autism spectrum disorder or (ASD). Autistic disorder is the most severe of these disorders. According to a survey, around 1 to 2 persons in every 1000 are reported to be autistic. In addition to this, it has been found out that males are four times more prone to develop the symptoms than females. According to estimation, there are 500000 people with ASD in the most developed countries like the United Kingdom.
The causes of autistic spectrum disorder are not clearly understood. However, experts believe that genetics play a prominent role. For example, if one sibling of a twin has autism, the other has more than 90% chance of developing the disorder. In some cases, brain injury during birth has also been identified as the cause of autism.
Recent research suggests that disruption of the brain during the early stages of foetal developmental is probably the main cause of autism. This disorder is not related in any way with parental practices.
It is diagnosed by the presence of three different classes of symptoms. These include low levels of social interaction, low levels of development of communication skills and repetitive or restricted behaviour patterns. Self injury is also not uncommon.
The early symptoms of autism are generally noticed by parents at about the time a child reaches two years of age, though the symptoms can begin to manifest as early as six months. Sometimes, the child develops normally for the first few months and then begins to regress and show signs. Even as a baby, an autistic child will display marked lack of social interaction. Normal pointing and babbling at the age of 1 year fails to develop. The child does not respond to names and does not respond to smiling or social contact. Instead, the child exhibits poor eye contact and may show obsessive behaviour with toys or other objects.
As the child grows up, the symptoms become more and more pronounced. They fail to socialize normally or to make friends. Instead, they seem obsessively occupied with certain objects. They fail to initiate or to hold up conversations and their pattern of language use is either repetitive or unusual. They become extremely pre-occupied with the routine while there is very little imaginative or social play.
Once these symptoms begin to appear, it is necessary to take the child to specialized health care professionals to diagnose if he is autistic. A multidisciplinary team is required to conduct a number of tests including neurological tests, cognitive tests and language tests to confirm whether the child has autism or not.
Last, but not the least, there are professionals engaged in providing specialised treatment. Hence, it would be advised to conduct a thorough research in order to select a right practitioner in this sphere. Make sure the medical practitioner you choose, can help you with the right advice and results.

Hima Bindu is a web enthusiast and a writer. She has afforded her articles and write-ups autonomously and through various online forums.
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Autism and Communication Difficulties

2013-05-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a very wide-ranging developmental disorder that defies easy description and explanation. It is most broadly defined as a condition where children have some delay in developing the skills that allow them to be social and communicate with others, or can even not noticeably present these skills at all.
Currently, there aren't any medical tests that can diagnose autism. Usually a specially trained physician or psychologists administer autism-specific behavioural evaluations.
Often parents are the first to notice that their child is showing unusual behaviours such as failing to make eye contact, not responding to his or her name or playing with toys in unusual, repetitive ways.
Autism is not only found in children and sometimes the disorder is diagnosed later in life. This again is often in relation to learning, social or emotional difficulties. Like with young children, the diagnosis of adolescents and adults involves observation and sometimes an interview by a trained specialist. A diagnosis in an older person can bring relief to those who have struggled with difficulties with social interaction while not understanding the source of these difficulties. Once diagnosed with the disorder, it can also open access to therapies that can improve function in areas of difficulty and in turn improve the quality of relations and life.
One of the ways that many people have actively sought treatment for their child or adolescent is through a Speech Pathologist.
When a Speech Pathologist is assisting a patient with Autism Spectrum Disorder, it's their job to evaluate how well the child can communicate and socialise in every aspect. This analysis can take place at a clinic, as well as at home and other informal settings. It's not a quick process, as Autism Spectrum Disorder can have such varying degrees of intensity and presentation in a patient. A well-trained and experienced Speech Pathologist can gauge communicative and language skills effectively and will work to have a diagnosis as quickly as they can.
A Speech Pathologist can also pick up on social cues that suggest the presence of Autism Spectrum Disorder but could be misdiagnosed as a variety of other conditions. The prevalence of language and communication-based difficulties in the condition means that a good Speech Pathologist is well-equipped to 'connect the dots' and draw conclusions based on their required professional expertise.
The amount of sessions that one may need will vary, and it is always important to find the right person for treatment.

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The Different Kinds of Autism

2013-04-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Contrary to what some people may believe, autism is not a type of mental retardation, but rather a complex neurobehavorial disorder that affects a person's development, language, communication skills and social skills. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that there are several classifications of the disorder. It can range from the very mild, allowing a person to lead a very normal life, all the way to very severe cases which necessitate institutional care.
Here's a look at the different types of autism spectrum disorders:
Autistic Disorder- This is what people commonly think of when they hear the term "autism." This diagnosis refers to problems with communication, social interaction and imaginative play in kids younger than three. It's usually diagnosed during a child's toddler years and symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Asperger's Syndrome- People with this type tend to have excellent language skills and average or above-average intelligence and do well on standardized tests. However, they lack social skills and aren't able to interact with their peers in a usual manner. It's a mild form of autism and children are able to do well in school, but have troubles with classmates due to the diagnosed child's awkward, sometimes odd, behaviors. Sometimes people aren't diagnosed with Asperger's until they're teens or adults. With specialized training, these people can lead typical lives and be active members of society.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)- Also called atypical autism, this type is a miscellaneous category for people who don't clearly fit into one of the other, more defined, categories. People who fit this category have one or more traits of a few autistic categories but don't meet the criteria for any one diagnosis.
Rett Syndrome- This is found only in girls, but quite rare. Children with this type of autism develop normally for several years, and then their communication skills and social skills begin to regress. Between the ages of 1 and 4, they discontinue using their hands purposefully, and begin to make repetitive hand movements instead.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)- This is a rare type of autism. Children with this disorder develop normally for the first two years of life and then start to lose most of their motor, language, social, communication and potty skills.
Autism tends to run in families, and is found in people of all nationalities, races and socioeconomic levels. Researchers believe that certain types of genes predispose a child to the disorder. It's very rare that the disorder can be diagnosed at birth, but one is typically made before the child enters school.

MyReviewsNow.net offers information regarding autism awareness. For more on supporting research for autism, please visit us at MyReviewsNow.net.

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Gluten Free And Autism

2013-04-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Do you have a child or know someone with autism? Does that person eat high amounts of wheat, barley, oats or rye proteins? Did you know that these proteins linked also with casein (the protein found in milk products) can trigger behavioral issues? To someone with autism these proteins can act as an addictive drug. Wow, mind blowing right? Some experts have even referred to gluten as "poison" for someone who is autistic.
Researchers have found that people with autism who eat gluten products regularly have a hard time breaking down the protein and found high levels of peptides with opiate in the urine. Opiates are similar to the drug known as morphine and affect the brain function. The two main problems have been linked as gluten (which is the protein found in wheat, barley, oats and rye) and casein (the protein found in milk.) Would you knowingly give your child morphine? Allowing a child who has autism to eat gluten products could be doing as much harm.
Now that you know the facts, where should you start? How can you possibly remove gluten from the diet? It will not be easy at first but will be beneficial in the end. It will take perseverance and research. At first it will take a lot of time because you will need to read labels and rule out all foods with gluten ingredients. You may even want to consult a dietician to work with you the first few weeks. They can come up with healthy meal plans based on the person's likes and dislikes. There are also many online resources to help. There are even" Gluten Free Bibles" which are guides to a full gluten free life. There are even gluten free cookbooks and foods you can purchase online.
You are probably saying right now, "This seems like too much work, I don't have the time for this." That may be the case first but once you understand and start shopping gluten free it is quite easy. Also, you must look at the long term benefits of the gluten free diet. You must realize that for many who have autism, foods with gluten are toxic to their brain and avoiding them is necessary. It will be challenging at first but with a little effort and a few good gluten free cookbooks your autistic child/friend will see improvements in behavior. I have read reports that after three months of gluten free living autistic children have been able to make eye contact and actually play calmly with other children. Now, doesn't that sound worth giving it a try?
There are so many resources and online products to help you with your new journey. It will require sacrifices and endurance. Remember this adjustment will take time but the results are so valuable. Start today and begin to live free!

For more information or to shop for protein powders go to http://livefreeproducts.com. Gluten free foods and an assortment of organic products.

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Assessment of Autism Symptoms: When to Seek a Professional

2013-04-10T06:50:00.000-07:00

Perhaps one of the most frustrating things with autism is that there is not one diagnostic test or system which diagnoses this spectrum disorder. Much of the diagnostic process relies first on the parents monitoring and observing the behavior patterns in their children, tracking how they communicate with others and observing their social skills with peers. Since many of these abilities and skills are not evident at birth and develop over time, it is not uncommon for autism to be diagnosed once children become of age where these skills are more evident; usually about toddler age.
Parents may find diagnosing their children with autism very challenging as many of the symptoms closely relate to those seen in non-autistic children as well. For example one of the most notable symptoms is difficulty or lacking the desire to socialize with others. In non-autistic children this is not necessarily something to worry about in the beginning. It could be that your child is simply shy and has caution and fear about mingling with other children or that they prefer to play alone with their active imaginations.
Other symptoms include a delay in learning how to speak or having difficulty in starting conversations with others. Again, all children develop these skills differently. While some children begin speaking and communicating at a very early age, others struggle with them and it is not always an indication that your child is autistic. Various other biological and neurological issues can also contribute to skills slowly developing.
It is also common for autistic children to have difficulty or the inability to make eye contact or have difficulty in understanding directives given to them. While these things could be caused by a child's age and development happening at a slower pace, they also could be indicators that the child has autism.
Diagnosing Autism
Historically this disorder is diagnosed when the child reaches the age of three and a bit older. This is the time when most physicians and parents truly begin to see that their child is not developing normally because by this age socialization, interactive and communication skills should become evident. In some cases a child will be diagnosed at age two particularly if the parents are diligent with the recommended, ongoing check-ups. Still, at that young of an age diagnosing can be challenging because vital skills are not apparent yet.
The diagnosis process begins with watching and observing the child's behaviors and patterns as well as a psychologist or specialist thoroughly interviewing the parents while reviewing the child's developmental history. The interviewing process will investigate both the child's past development as well as current developments.
The therapist will defer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders frequently in order to assess which spectrum your child falls into with Autism and go through the symptoms and characteristics with a fine tooth comb as understanding which spectrum your child falls into is important when it comes to treatment, therapies and supportive services.
Diagnostic Tools
Because there is not one sure way to diagnose this disorder, once a parent or physician feels that the child could be a candidate for the disorder, they may use one or several diagnostic tools to diagnose. These include but are not limited to:
• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
• Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI)
• Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT)
• Developmental Behavior Checklist (DBC)
• Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ)
When Is the Right Time to Assess?
It is important that parents get their children assessed and tested as early as possible as this greatly increases the chances of their child receiving the therapies they need and bettering their quality of life sooner.
If you notice that your child is not developing at a normal pace when they are younger than two you can and should certainly have them examined by a physician. However, it is likely that since not all of the skills have yet to develop, that your child may not be diagnosed until they are of toddler age (between 3-6) and in some cases even later in life based on their future development and progression.
If relevant skills such as socialization, communication, eye contact and comprehension are seen as aptly lacking in younger years, it can only help in future diagnosing to have your child examined and tested. At the very least, you will have a record of the testing to utilize later when they are at a more appropriate age to be concretely diagnosed.

Working With Autism provides treatment and therapy services for autism and other spectrum disorders. They have a team of licensed professionals that can assist you in conventional treatment, including speech therapy and behavioral services. For more information on their services, please visit their website: http://www.workingwithautism.com/

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