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Posts Tagged ‘Neurological Disorder’

21
Nov

Discovering the Characteristics of Autism

The research and data compiled by leading institutions have shown that autism, or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 in 165 children in America. Based on those numbers, that would indicate that an alarming 1.5 million Americans have autism to various degrees. It should be noted that many of these cases of autism have not been diagnosed. The annual growth rate of autism is greater than 14%, meaning it has become a major developmental disability for todays children.

The instance of autism is not relegated to just children, nor does it seem to afflict any particular person based on race or social structure. It also does not appear to be a result of any injury or accident that may have involved trauma. One thing that is known, however, is that males are about 4 times more likely to have autism than females.

So that you can understand how to work with a patient afflicted with autism, it is necessary to understand some background about what autism is and what signs an afflicted person shows. In a core sense, autism is just one of several things known as a cognitive disability or cognitive disorder. Such a disorder has a negative impact on the childs ability to learn and develop normally, particularly from the aspect of social interaction. Typically, autism can be diagnosed as early as age 3 in most children, and impairs how the brain reacts to certain stimuli. In that sense, autism is thought to be a neurological disorder. The most prominent signs of autism are difficulty in both verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Difficult with verbal communication is self-explanatory, but in the non-verbal sense, this deals with the difficulty in having social interactions with other people.

Since there are varying degrees of autism, it is critical that a child who is suspected of being afflicted with autism be diagnosed as early in life as possible. By doing this, the child can benefit from schools that specialize in children with special needs, which are becoming increasing prominent in almost all school districts. Professionals at these schools have been trained to understand autism and to take into account the specialized learning techniques that can reach these children.

One of the common myths about autism is that children afflicted with this disorder are lacking in intelligence. This is not necessarily the case, and in fact in terms of intelligence, the autistic child can rank right up there with their peers. The movie Rain Man with Dustin Hoffman illustrated this, where Dustin Hoffman played an autistic adult with many social interaction problems, but yet was a genius in the casino and with numbers in general.

There are several characteristics that autistic people will display that can be a clue to the potential presence of autism. Unfortunately, there are no conclusive laboratory tests that can definitively state whether or not a person has autism, simply because it really is a neurological disorder. Such characteristics include, as discussed above, difficulty in verbal and non-verbal communication, distinct resistance to change in schedule or routine, an abnormally low threshold for pain, difficulty or discomfort in making eye contact, and a tendency to fixate on a particular object for very long periods of time.

Understanding the characteristics of autistic spectrum disorder or ASD so that it can be accurately diagnosed is the first step towards creating an effective course of action to working with that child during their developmental years.

Jon is a computer engineer who maintains web sites on a variety of topics based on his knowledge and experience. You can read more about Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorder at his web site Autism Explained.
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4
Nov

What Are The Treating Mercury Poisoning Autism Links?

Even with a significant amount of research and studies being conducted examining the connection between mercury and autism, many people still do not fully understand this connection, or whether a connection even exists at all. This is due to the highly conflicting nature of these studies and published information. This article will attempt to clarify the treating mercury poisoning autism link.
Before we can truly understand the connection between mercury and autistic children, it is important to clarify what exactly autism is. Without delving into too much detail, let’s just classify autism. In that case we’ll say that, like ADD and ADHD, autism is a neurological disorder, or ND. Essentially this means that autism is a disorder affecting the nervous system. This becomes important when we learn that one of the main causes of neurological disorders is believed to be heavy metal poisoning, such as that from mercury and aluminum.
In recent years, the number of children being diagnosed with autism and other neurological disorders has rapidly increased. And while the reason for this is hotly debated in academic circles, one theory claims that the increase is due to significantly more exposure to heavy metals such as mercury for today’s children. The claim is that there are increased levels of mercury in our food, water, and air.
But can mercury really be targeted as a cause for autism? To many people, the answer is an unequivocal yes. They believe that an increased exposure to such heavy metals at a very young age is what is causing this recent spike in the diagnosis of children with neurological diseases like autism.
Is there a Treatment?
There is a new form of autism treatment that is currently gaining a lot of momentum. Known as biomedical treatment, this method attempts to solve autism by rectifying the root of the problem – the physical condition of the nervous system. This is contrary to the common opinion of experts that autism is a psychological disorder, because the outwardly visible symptoms all indicate as much. However, the theorists in support of biomedical treatment argue that these symptoms are simply a by-product of an unhealthy nervous system, making autism a physical disorder.
The ultimate goal of biomedical treatment, then, is to rid a child’s body of toxic substances, and to begin to mend already-existing harm done by toxins. However, this method of treatment is not universally considered an effective medical treatment. Despite this, there are many popular treatment programs based upon the biomedical treatment school of thought. And while slightly different in their approach, the goal of each is to rid the body of unwanted toxins, and to increase levels of healthy nutrients.
Once again, this treatment method is not universally accepted in medical circles. But, it is gaining momentum, and a good chunk of the supporters are parents who claim to have seen positive results in their child as a result of treatment. Because of this, the treating mercury poisoning autism link may very well be worth looking into.

26
Oct

Effects of an Autism Diagnosis

Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder. For families to realize that the member with autism won’t be the child that they envisioned can be a devastating discovery. Like many other disabilities, autism takes a period of time to get used to. Parents also have to adjust their aspirations for their children with autism. Realizing that your child may never go into the profession you had hoped for, or not even be able to go to college can be very difficult.

This is not to portray a hopeless portrait of life with autism, but rather the worries and uncertainties that face families upon diagnosis. Later we will cover some of the exciting outcomes available through treatments and research. Due to the pervasive nature of autism, most aspects of a family’s life are touched. For instance, a person with autism is almost oblivious to social nuances such as waiting in line patiently, talking at an appropriate volume, or respecting others personal space. Public excursions can be stressful and embarrassing due to the lack of knowledge people have about autism, combined with the seemingly unexplainable behaviors associated with it.

Hand flapping, screaming, and tantrums are all examples of behaviors that can draw unwanted attention at the supermarket, doctor’s office, library, etc. The stress of rude comments combined with the energy it takes to go on trips such as these often result in the individual with autism being left alone at home with a relative or sitter. The little stresses such as these are also a source of frustration and depression for families.

With all of the therapies, appointments, and social situation restrictions, the family’s routines and schedules will most likely alter to fit the needs of the individual with autism. This can cause resentment as well as additional stress. Considering all this, neurotypical siblings will have trouble adjusting to their new roles within the family, often feeling left out, and resentful. Parents need to find ways to include their other children in activities to help them understand why the child with autism receives more attention. At the same time, parents need to make time to spend on non-autism related activities with their other children.

Personal relationships are also apt to be neglected in the pursuit of treating autism. Fighting over chores, money, childcare, housekeeping, etc. will wear heavily on a relationship. Clearly finding a sustainable balance of time, money, and other resources is necessary to maintain a healthy family. Social supports, such as government funding, parent support groups, sibling support groups, and care services are all great ways to balance responsibilities. It should be noted that relying on others for help can also be a point of contention. Self reliant families may take more time to adjust to accepting and benefiting from these programs.

23
Oct

What Do You Know About Asperger Autism?

Going back a number of years, it had been observed that children who were autistic could also border on genius. They had an unusual grasp on math, science or music. It was also noted that this type of autism affected more boys than girls; though the exact reason why this happens still remains a mystery.
The syndrome of extreme grasping power and the affinity for numbers and science in this particular is also called in common terms “the little professor syndrome”. This syndrome also has another name known as asperger autism. This malady was discovered back in 1944 by Hans Asperger, when the medical fraternity took notice and accepted this disorder as a special branch of autism.
Proof that Autism Is Not a Mental Retardation Disorder
Back then, autism was considered to be a mental retardation disease. However, following a number of symptoms described by Hans Asperger, doctors all over the world came to accept that autism is rather a neurological disorder instead of a mental disorder. To recognize the value of the work done by Hans Asperger, the high functioning autism was named asperger autism.
Asperger observed through his research that asperger autism and autism in general was a result of faulty genes and that this defect in the genes were a direct outcome of past generations of inbreeding. For the longest of time, parents were feeling miserable believing that somehow their behavior has brought on the autism effect on their child. However, nothing can be further from the truth as the cause was thought to be genetic.

Medical research has now have shown that autism cannot be caused by outside factors. There’s also a trigger for asperger autism or autism in general. In layperson’s language, autism happens when the loose ends of neurons in the body connect to the wrong sides and hence end up misreading the body’s signals, and in turn prompt wrong action. It is like having a wiring mix-up that sooner or later will result in a short circuit.
A child with this disorder will be non-responsive to anything the outside world says or does. These children will not show pain, will not laugh or smile even at something funny, etc. There is a deterioration of all human interactive aspects, such as speaking, a friendly touch and appetite. The child may not even noticed your arrival and rarely smile at you. However, when they feel like it, they can perform a task that three ordinary people would balk at.
It’s a good idea to provide these people with a broad scope of activities. They seem to have a hunger for learning and a ferocious appetite for reading. Put them in front of a computer, and they would master it in no time at all.

Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Autism Info Blog. For more great helpful information about autism visit The Autism info Blog

9
Sep

Coping With Autism and OCD

After yet another display of lining up toys or endlessly performing the same behavior over and over it’s not unusual for parents to wonder if their child may have not one but two disorders – autism and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
OCD is a neurological disorder that causes obsessive thoughts and behaviors and can greatly disrupt a person’s life. There are two main elements to OCD, thoughts or obsessions and compulsions or behaviors.
The obsessions are experienced as thoughts, images or impulses and can be persistent. Whereas compulsions are repetitive behaviors that the sufferer feels compelled to carry out whether they want to or not. The performance of the repetitive behaviors is usually done to reduce distress or to stop a particular event.
It is common for people with an autism spectrum disorder to also display repetitive behaviors and have repetitive thoughts, comparable to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is a condition that generally makes sufferers feel uncomfortable with their symptoms, and wish that they could get rid of them. On the other hand children with autism are usually unconcerned with their various obsessions or behaviors and may even see them as comforting, increasing the frequency during stressful situations as a calming mechanism.
There are two possible treatments for autism and OCD-like behaviors: behavioral therapy, and medication. Frequently, these two forms of therapy are prescribed together.
The most common kind of medication prescribed for treating OCD behaviors in autistic individuals are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). SSRIs are antidepressant medications that have also shown to be helpful in reducing OCD behaviors. However, they can come with some serious side effects including an increased risk of suicide. Parents’ whose children are on SSRIs should monitor behaviors closely and report anything out of the ordinary to a medical professional.

Behavioral therapy can be another way to reduce repetitive behaviors, however there is not one treatment that has been found to be consistently effective for all cases of autism. This is due to the fact that no two cases of autism are exactly the same.
Therefore, before a behavioral therapy is selected to deal with autism and OCD symptoms, an IQ test and/or functional cognitive level test will usually be administered. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) works well for lower functioning children or younger children, and Cognitive Behavioral therapy can show good results for higher functioning, more verbal children with autism.
To ensure best results it is often recommended that behavioral treatments and medication be combined. The medication is usually prescribed to help the child become more open to the behavioral therapy. Since behavioral therapy can be challenging – especially as most children don’t see their OCD behaviors as undesirable – medication can make the difference in encouraging children to be open to the suggested changes.
While autism and OCD can occur in the same individual, it is much more common for children with autism to simply display behaviors that are similar to those of OCD, but that are in fact a part of their autism symptoms and not a separate case of obsessive compulsive disorder. Nonetheless, it is believed that autism and OCD based repetitive thoughts and behaviors are quite similar in the early stages of development, but become dissimilar over time as they often serve different functions within the two disorders.
Dealing with autism and OCD at an early age should be prioritized to ensure that regular childhood and life experiences such as early education occurs more smoothly. The fewer obsessive-compulsive symptoms a child with autism has generally, the more positive their educational and life experiences will be.
If you believe your child is suffering from OCD contact your doctor to discuss diagnosis and treatment options.

8
Sep

Autism Statistics are on a Rise

 

According to Autism statistics given by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Autism Spectrum Disorder is on a rise and is now the sixth most commonly classified disability in the United States.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex developmental disability and neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain in areas of social interaction, communication, and causes development of unusual behaviors and interests that begins at birth or within the first two-and-a-half years of life and affects the way a child sees and interacts with the rest of the world. Autism Spectrum Disorder was also added as a special education exceptionality in 1991 and autism statistics indicate that more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined.

Statistically 1 in 150 children will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder with an estimate that 1 in 104 of those children will be males. With that being stated, males are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder than females, as well as an estimate of 67 children are diagnosed a day.

There is not a complete population count of all the individuals diagnosed with autism in the United States. However, using the autism statistics given above, we can estimate that if 4 million children are born in the United States every year, approximately 24,000 of these children will eventually be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

By evaluating these autism statistics it can be concluded that autism is currently the fastest growing developmental disability, with a 10% to 17% annual growth. Assuming the occurrence rate has been constant over the past two decades, we can estimate that up to 500,000 individuals younger than 21 have autism. However, many of these individuals may not be classified as having autism until school-age or later. Because behaviors related to autism are usually present before the age of 3, it is important to make sure the individuals are being identified and are receiving appropriate intervention services as early as possible. The earlier treatment can be started the better for the child. Not only is it better for the child, but cost of lifelong care can also be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention.

 

Since Autism statistics show that 1 in 150 children will be diagnosed with autism. It is important that a parent or soon to be parent understands the signs of Autism. If you would like more information on Autism, please visit yourautismfacts.com.
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7
Sep

The signs of autism spectrun disorders must be spotted in time

Autism Spectrum Disorders are neurological conditions that affect the mental, physical development and the behaviors, communication skills and social interactions of people who suffer from such a disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorders range from milder forms of neurological disturbances to serious conditions, such as autism. Lots of children are diagnosed with forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders at birth, while others reveal the symptoms of such disorders in their first years of life.

The incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders with children is so great, that it exceeds other conditions like diabetes, meningitis and Down syndrome. Due to the large numbers of children that develop forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders, it is very important to quickly spot the signs of such conditions. Children with neurological disorders need special attention and sometimes they require permanent monitoring, as in the case of children with severe autism. Also, speed is vital, as children with Autism Spectrum Disorders need specific medical treatment in order to minimize undesirable effects.

A disturbing fact is the lack of attention paid to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Poor information and lack of experience determine most parents, caretakers, teachers, physicians and even pediatricians to ignore the first symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders. They sometimes believe that children with such disorders only experience difficulties in growth and therefore fail to correctly diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders at early ages. Despite the fact that prompt intervention greatly minimizes the symptoms and the malign effects of Autism Spectrum Disorders, increasing the child’s chances to grow normally, more than 50% of children aren’t properly diagnosed with a neurological disorder until they reach ages of three to five years.

Children diagnosed with a form of Autism Spectrum Disorders have poor social interaction skills, deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication and stereotype, routine oriented behaviors. Furthermore, children with such disorders experience difficulties in the way they perceive external stimuli. According to the gravity of the disorder, the child will tend to be more or less affected by certain symptoms. People that suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorders have several common traits. However, each individual experiences the disorder in a different way and it is a mistake to try to generalize the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders to all patients.

Children with forms of Autism spectrum Disorders develop differently from normal children. Sometimes, the first signs of neurological disorders are revealed right after birth. In other cases, behavioral abnormalities are revealed later, at different stages in childhood. Sometimes, autistic children seem to grow normally and have good communication and social interaction skills until they reach a certain age. Then, they suddenly begin to show the signs of the disorder, as their behaviors tend to change and their skills considerably deteriorate. This disorder is called regressive autism and it is considered to be a very serious form of Autism Spectrum Disorders, determining dramatic changes at behavioral levels.

Although the actual causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders haven’t yet been clarified, many severe, malign effects of neurological disorders can be kept under control and if they are discovered in time.

If you are looking for a great autism symptoms checklist then visit this site. It’s one of the best autism related sites on the net where you can find useful information on autism symptoms, autism causes and learn how to spot the early signs of autism.
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5
Sep

Hypotheses on Autism Causes

Autism Spectrum Disorders are neurological conditions that affect the mental, physical development and the behaviors, communication skills and social interactions of people who suffer from such a disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorders range from milder forms of neurological disturbances to serious conditions, such as autism. Lots of children are diagnosed with forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders at birth, while others reveal the symptoms of such disorders in their first years of life.

The incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders with children is so great, that it exceeds other conditions like diabetes, meningitis and Down syndrome. Due to the large numbers of children that develop forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders, it is very important to quickly spot the signs of such conditions. Children with neurological disorders need special attention and sometimes they require permanent monitoring, as in the case of children with severe autism. Also, speed is vital, as children with Autism Spectrum Disorders need specific medical treatment in order to minimize undesirable effects.

A disturbing fact is the lack of attention paid to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Poor information and lack of experience determine most parents, caretakers, teachers, physicians and even pediatricians to ignore the first symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders. They sometimes believe that children with such disorders only experience difficulties in growth and therefore fail to correctly diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders at early ages. Despite the fact that prompt intervention greatly minimizes the symptoms and the malign effects of Autism Spectrum Disorders, increasing the child’s chances to grow normally, more than 50% of children aren’t properly diagnosed with a neurological disorder until they reach ages of three to five years.

Children diagnosed with a form of Autism Spectrum Disorders have poor social interaction skills, deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication and stereotype, routine oriented behaviors. Furthermore, children with such disorders experience difficulties in the way they perceive external stimuli. According to the gravity of the disorder, the child will tend to be more or less affected by certain symptoms. People that suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorders have several common traits. However, each individual experiences the disorder in a different way and it is a mistake to try to generalize the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders to all patients.

Children with forms of Autism spectrum Disorders develop differently from normal children. Sometimes, the first signs of neurological disorders are revealed right after birth. In other cases, behavioral abnormalities are revealed later, at different stages in childhood. Sometimes, autistic children seem to grow normally and have good communication and social interaction skills until they reach a certain age. Then, they suddenly begin to show the signs of the disorder, as their behaviors tend to change and their skills considerably deteriorate. This disorder is called regressive autism and it is considered to be a very serious form of Autism Spectrum Disorders, determining dramatic changes at behavioral levels.

Although the actual causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders haven’t yet been clarified, many severe, malign effects of neurological disorders can be kept under control and if they are discovered in time.

If you are looking for a great autism symptoms checklist then visit this site. It’s one of the best autism related sites on the net where you can find useful information on autism symptoms, autism causes and learn how to spot the early signs of autism.
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25
Aug

What is Autism

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears within the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication, and cognitive function.Primary characteristicsThe primary characteristics of autism include impaired reciprocal social interactions, impaired communication, and restricted behaviours. The impaired social interactions are among the most conspicuous of the autistic deficits and were the reason leo kanner used the term “autism” to describe the syndrome in 1943. Social difficulties of autism include impaired social play, a general preference for isolation in the presence of others, failure to seek comfort at times of distress, indifference to others and an inability to understand social rules and conventions. What Causes Autism?Autism affects about 1 in every 150 kids, but no one knows what causes it. Some scientists think that some kids might be more likely to get autism because it or similar disorders run in their families. Knowing the exact cause of autism is hard because the human brain is very complicated.Difficulties are caused by a variety of conditions that occur either before, during, or after birth affecting brain development. This interferes with an individual’s ability to interpret and interact with the world. Some scientists tie the communication problems to a “theory of mind” or impaired ability to think about thoughts or imagine another individual’s state of mind. Along with this is an impaired ability to symbolize, both when trying to communicate and in play.Current research has identified various possible causes of autism – brain dysfunction, genetic factors and allergic reactions. There does not seem to be one clear cause that affects all the people diagnosed with autism – the research continues. Poor parenting does NOT cause autism. The diagnosis of autism is made by observation from a qualified consultant (contact us if you need further information on this or refer to our Diagnosis factsheet).Autism – SymptomsSignificant problems developing nonverbal communication skills, such as eye-to-eye gazing, facial expressions, and body posture.Failure to establish friendships with children the same age. Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand-flappingDevelops specific routines or ritualsLack of slang or “kidspeak”Difficulty understanding tone of voice and body language as a way of expressing sarcasm, humor, irony, etc. Does not respond to name Loses language or social skillsInappropriate laughter Marked physical overactivity or extreme passivityTreatments for Autism – - Treatments and Therapies for Autism Spectrum DisordersThere is no cure for autism. Treatments are aimed at reducing specific symptoms. Because the symptoms vary so widely from one person to the next, there is not a single approach that works for every person. A spectrum of interventions include training in music, listening, vision, speech and language, and senses. Special diets and medications may also be prescribed.Parents should be educated in behavioral techniques so they can participate in all aspects of the child’s care and treatment. The more specialized instruction and behavior therapy the child receives, the more likely it is that the condition will improve.Many different biomedical treatments are used in autism. The most widely used are medications to treat seizures and behavioral and emotional problems associated with autism.

17
Aug

The Importance of Keeping an Autism Symptoms Checklist

Autism is a neurological disorder that may lead to serious damage at behavioral, communication and social interactions level. Usually confirmed during the first periods of life, autism is considered to be a serious condition that determines abnormalities in the development of children. The first autism symptoms can sometimes be observed at birth. However, the presence of such a disorder is usually confirmed later, at ages around one or two years. Children with autism may experience milder forms of the disorder, or, on the contrary, they may be affected by more severe forms of autism.

Autism is a disorder that affects the way people relate to others, perceive and express feelings, communicate with other people, behave and adapt to new situations. At the first sight, a person who suffers from autism appears to be normal and in fact, autistic people aren’t very different from people not affected by the disorder. Some autistic people have average and above average IQ’s, and the disorder affects people regardless of their intelligence level. People with autism usually focus their intelligence towards working with numbers, excelling in areas like mathematics. Despite the fact that many autistic people are very intelligent, they are unable to express themselves or to properly relate to other people. They usually have low emotional intelligence and behaviors targeted towards the self.

Parents suspecting that their children might be affected by autism should pay careful attention to autism symptoms. If autism symptoms are spotted soon, the damage done by the disorder can be controlled. Autistic children that receive the appropriate treatment, special care and attention, are less likely to develop severe forms of the disorder. Therefore, speed is vital in detecting the first autism symptoms. Parents that notice abnormalities in the behavior of their children should consider keeping track of autism symptoms with the help an autism symptoms checklist. It is best to keep an autism symptom checklist and to verify the responsiveness of children earlier than the age of two years, in order to be able to intervene in the development of the disorder.

Here is an autism symptoms checklist presenting the most common autism symptoms to small children and babies:

inappropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills;

strong resistance to environmental and behavioral change (autistic children don’t let people interfere with their routine, engaging in repetitive, stereotype behaviors and activities; they also have low adaptability to new situations);

hyper-activity or hypo-activity (autistic children usually have extreme behaviors; they are either very active, being difficult to calm down, or passive, avoiding any interactions and showing little responsiveness to stimuli);

inability to understand and act in the presence of danger (autistic children usually don’t seem to be aware of potential dangers);

poor imitational skills (inability of imitating simple gestures or facial expressions);

low responsiveness to the hearing of their own name;

difficulties in social interactions, avoidance of making eye contact with people;

the tendency of engaging in activities and behaviors that may result in self-harm (banging their heads against their cribs, excessively scratching their skin);

poor emphatic skills (children with autism experience difficulties in relating with other people; they also can’t express their compassion or understanding to people in distress).

These autism symptoms presented above are the most common signs of abnormalities that children with the disorder might present and it is very important to spot them as soon as possible. This autism symptoms checklist should guide you in revealing the presence of autism during children’s first years of life.

If you are looking for a great <a href="http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-symptoms-checklist.htm” rel=”nofollow”>autism symptoms checklist then visit this site which is one of the best autism related sites on the net.
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28
Jul

Autism – Causes and Treatments

Autism is one condition that requires speech therapy treatment. However, autism is often misunderstood and thought of to be something that can be left untreated. However, that should not be how things work. Autism presents a lot of problems, but the intensity of these problems could be decreased if given the correct treatment.
A lot of terms are commonly heard in relation to autism, such as: classic autism, infantile autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Atypical PDD, Autistic like, PDD-NOS, Asperger’s Syndrome and high functioning Autistic.
What Is Autism
Basically, Autism is a neurological disorder. It is classified to be a Pervasive Developmental Disorder. The main characteristic of Autism is that it affects three major areas in relation to speech and language. This triad is the impairment of the child’s: social interaction, communication and imaginative play.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder is actually an umbrella term for Autistic Spectrum Disorders. With the use of the term pervasive, it is emphasized that the disability’s range of deficits is beyond psychological development. On the other hand, the term developmental puts emphasis that the occurrence of the condition is during the child’s development rather than later in life.
Autism is actually only one condition under this umbrella. Other conditions include Rett’s Disorder, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins to show its symptoms during early childhood or infancy.
Another is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder; it somewhat resembles Autism but the difference is the first two to four years of the child’s life is rather normal, then the symptoms start to show.
Asperger’s syndrome is also in this umbrella. It is sometimes called high functioning autism. Lastly, PDD-NOS or Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not otherwise specified is also related to Autism. These are children that present symptoms similar to but don’t quite match the other conditions.
What Causes Autism
Even though a lot of research has been done, there is no identified single factor that causes Autism. Several factors are said to play a part in the occurrence of Autism. One of these is brain disorder. Recent studies show that there is a difference in the brains of people with Autism. Their cerebellum seems to be smaller than normal, and their limbic system is impaired.
Chemical imbalances are also said to play a part here. It was found that in some cases, symptoms came from food allergies, chemical deficiencies, hormonal imbalances or elevated brain chemical levels.
Heredity is also an important factor. A lot of genetic disorders have Autism as a symptom. An example would be the fragile-X syndrome. Other factors include pre-, peri-, post-natal trauma, brain damage complications and MMR immunization.
Whatever the cause may be, the child with Autism should be given the same structured training in able to stimulate his learning, language and social skills.
Diagnosis
For a child to be diagnosed of having Autism, he should first qualify for the Diagnostic Criteria for Autistic Disorders according to the DSM-IV.
Treatment
Due to the triad of Autism effects on the child, speech therapy becomes a vital part of Autism management. However, other members of the team are also needed such as pediatrician, pediatric neurologist, child psychiatrist, psychologist, occupational therapist, behavior therapist, and educators like schoolteachers or Special Education teachers.
Role Of Speech Therapist In Autism Rehabilitation
The Speech Therapist assesses hearing. He also evaluates whether the speech and language difficulties of the child is really due to Autism or another disorder. This can be taken from analyzing the child’s expressive language, receptive language, oral-motor functions, voice quality, articulation and fluency, auditory processing and pragmatic skills.

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25
Jul

Autism Development – Why & How to Cure

Autism is a neurological disorder & needs special care for treatment. This disorder results from combinations of certain traits. This disorder ranges from low functioning autism to high function autism.

This disorder is considered to be a pervasive developmental disorder. This means that it interrupts with usual developmental abilities including speech & communication.

Autism has many effects on different parts of body.

Autism mainly affects the brain. A child is unable to excel is communication, social interactions & certain activities or interests.

A child with autism is unable to keep eye contact, indulge in facial expression & gestures. The child fails to establish friendship with people of his age. He or she does not enjoy or share interests & achievements with others. They are also unable to understand emotions.

Most children are unable to speak & don’t initiate or continue a conversation. They have a tendency to repeat a phrase over & over again that they have heard once before. Children with autism do not indulge in ‘pretend’ play. They focus on pieces rather than the whole object.

Most people don´t to know whether autism can be cured. Unfortunately, the answer is ‘no’. There is no cure for autism. In case, an advertisement, product or medication promises that it can cure autism, you are being misled.

You need to understand the fact that autism has no cure. However, the good news is that a lot of treatments are available to make people live with autism an easier task.

Autism can be treated with the following therapies:

a) Alternative treatments

These days, natural & alternative treatments for autism are very popular. These include the use of herbs in contrast to prescribed medications. Use of herbs does not have any side effects. Usually, vitamin & mineral supplements are found helpful in treating Autism. You should inform the doctor about any of the natural products that you are using for your child. Some herbs can interact with prescription medication. Remember that herbs & vitamins are used to help with certain symptoms of autism.

b) Nutritional Methods

Some people prefer taking a special diet when treating Autism. They stay away from certain type of foods that may cause sensitivities. Gluten, dairy & artificial dyes are some of the foods that are eliminated from the diet. You can also ask your doctor for allergy testing. This will let you know whether your child has allergy from a certain type of food. This way, you can easily eliminate a food from his or her diet.

It is true that there is no cure for Autism. However, there are several treatments that can help the child overcome some symptoms. You need to understand that going for one treatment at a time will only help. You should not expect any miracle treatment.

You should not waste your money or time on products that claim to cure autism. You must continue helping your child by continuing the treatment for symptoms of Autism. This will definitely help you child enjoy a better life.

Don’t shirk away from asking a lot of questions to your doctor. Try to monitor your child’s progress on a regular basis.

Handle your child with lot of love, care, presence & appreciation.

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