A Mum's Account of Coming to Terms With a Son's Autism!

Welcome to Holland -A mum's account of accepting a diagnosis of Autism

My son had only been attending part time nursery school for about a month when the nursery nurse asked our permission to have a member of the Early Years Support team observe him. Being my eldest child I had no reason to believe his behaviour was abnormal for a 3 yr old. After another 10 months of professional observations, meetings and analysis it was finally confirmed that he was autistic. It took at least another 6 months for me to be able to say to people "my son's autistic" rather than "my son has a diagnosis of autism". Obviously I love my son and want him to receive all the support he needs to thrive. Obviously I'm not ashamed of him. So why did I have problems verbalising his condition?

I think it was due to a combination of cultural and personal reasons.

Culturally I was aware that 'autism' is seem as a tag used to explain away naughty behaviour, to excuse bad parenting, an over-diagnosed middle class syndrome demanded by middle-class-umbrella parents determined that their child should get extra help in state schooling. Or alternatively something that's easy to pretend by some schools to receive funding. Some people believe it doesn't exist, some that it's not as prevalent as diagnosis' suggest. I know because I held some of these perceived facts before I was a parent.

On a personal level there was the hurdle that my son didn't fit my idea of autism. Like many others, I heard 'autism' and thought 'Rainman'. My son's not like that - he's verbal, outgoing, has eye contact, fun, active, funny, intelligent, loving etc.

Even after the professionals were involved I didn't use the word autism until the Educational Psychologist had - maybe it was because I didn't want to influence their decision (or come across as middle-class-umbrella-I-know-best-mum!), maybe it was because if I didn't say it, it wasn't real.

As I started to come round to the idea internally I still struggled to have the confidence to be loud and proud about it; concerned that I'd have to justify, explain, defend it was easier to keep quiet.

So what happened to change me? Well, time, knowledge and ultimately relaxing. Let me explain.

Knowledge was the first step. Initially I took out every book on autism in my city's libraries, flicked through them, cried, got scared, took them back. Then, slowly, I started looking up forums/website with parents in the same situations and from reading their articles and posts realised that I wasn't alone. Then I read the only book to date I've fully read on autism - "Stand Up for Autism" by G Derbyshire. I laughed with her, and empathised, smiled and understood. Here was a normal mum recounting life with autism with a sense of humour and perspective. Nodding along with her anecdotes helped me realise our children's similarities and accept his condition. It was this shared knowledge, not the professional research and facts but the tears of joy and stress of millions of other mums that, over time, helped me learn to relax, accept and positively embrace my son's differences.

Now, when I tell people that he's autistic and they say something along the lines of "Oh dear, I am sorry" I'm happy to say "No, don't be. It's not bad, just different. He's a wonderful little boy who just sees the world in a slightly different way."

So, if you're in my position, or just starting to suspect your child has an Autistic Spectrum Condition - embrace it. Ok, so you never planned on having an ASC child (no-one does) but so what - who's to say what is 'normal' or 'right'. I have one ASC and one non-ASC child and I love and adore them both equally. They are both wonderful in their own ways. Yes, ASC makes life more difficult and stressful for me sometimes, but the joy is worth it and I wouldn't swap him for the world!

The title refers to my favourite metaphor about autism:

It's like you've planned to move to France - you've bought the guide books, planned the things you want to see, learnt the lingo. You board your plane thinking you're off to Paris only for the announcement to come on landing "You have arrived at Amsterdam, Welcome to Holland". It's not France, it's not what you planned, but it's not far off and Holland's not bad, just different.

Original article

More About Autistic Children

Unfortunately in today's society, difference is not looked upon as a positive thing. Children nowadays while subject to a wide variety of cultural change and innovative new ways of thinking, still fall back on old fears when it comes to differences, especially amongst themselves. Because of this, their peers who suffer from anything that places them outside the spectrum of norm, are often ostracized and bullied because of this.

Children who suffer from developmental and learning disorders such as Autism are especially prone to these negative efforts. It is of every importance that we begin to take note of what goes on inside as well as outside of the home and classroom. It is essential that we begin to teach our children the values of compassion and patience towards those who may be different than us. It is with this open mind attitude that we will not only be able to help our peers who are challenged with life, but also to help us live more peacefully and to grow as a human being.

Bullying has reached new heights in young children and adolescents these last few years. It is a danger to their well-being, not just the targets but the bullies as well. Everyone is a victim in these circumstances. Autistic children are more prone to these attacks as well, vis. they are socially awkward, they find it difficult to communicate on a normal basis because they do not react the same to the verbal, emotional and intuitive cues of their friends. This can lead to misunderstandings and tension amongst children and can also lead to teasing and alienation.

Depending on the severity of their symptoms, autistic children tend to thrive better in an environment created around their disorder. But this leaves them alienated from the rest of the world. So, while it is beneficial for them to spend some time in an environment geared towards their way of learning and comprehension, it isn't good for them to be secluded away from the rest of society. They will need to learn the skills and confidence to integrate into the rest of society in order to live a successful life. This doesn't mean they have to be exactly like the rest, in fact autistic children never will, but they need to be able to live as their selves comfortably out in the world.

In order to really do this, the world itself needs to learn some compassion and compromise for autistic children. The relational skills and the way of thinking and perception are not only for these children to work at changing. The world needs to change as well. We need to be more accepting of difference and individuality. We need to be more willing to help those who need it instead of pushing them aside and trampling all over them. And this doesn't mean we just need more specialists in the field. We, as human beings need to take a proactive approach towards making autistic children, adults and those with other disorders feel more like they have a place in the world. Because they do and they should, it is our own fault that we experience difficulties with these differences.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Original article

Can I Recognize Signs of Autism in Infants?

Early signs of autism can be detected in children under the age of 24 months, however this early it is an inexact science. Children develop at different rates. Of course, all children should still basically fall in and around the developmental milestones set up by specialists in child development. A child's pediatrician will ask you standard questions at each checkup regarding your child's development.

If he/she notices something that may be off, further tests and research may be needed. Also, if you notice what you think may be early signs of autism in your child, vis. no eye contact or smiles or reactions to stimuli around six months of age, no reciprocated feelings of happiness expressed towards you at nine months of age, the lack of babbling and interest in their surroundings by one year, slow communication development, if any of these signs persist well past the gray area of the developmental milestone, be sure to consult with your pediatrician.

While, a doctor is remit to diagnose any disorder within the autism spectrum before two years of age, if it is a possibility, then treatment of a sort can begin. Early recognition of developmental difficulties will make it much easier to help your child manage them as he/she grows older. Even if it isn't autism, activities involving social interaction, activities geared towards helping a child become familiar with their environment and to take active interest in it, and the setting of a basic schedule so as to give the child some structure and safety net in their life, will help with developmental delays. If detected during infancy this also gives the parent a good amount of time to come to terms with the changes their life is going to go through.

The biggest factor in dealing with Autism is patience. Children with developmental disorders need to feel the nurture and compassion from their caregivers as early on as infancy. They may not respond in ways that you feel are normal, but a loving patient attitude from the parent, caregivers, etc. will help the child to feel safe and confident in their world. This is a great ease on their mind and will actually help them to learn, grow, and develop. Fear is one of the biggest adversaries of personal growth-physical, mental, and emotional. It is the responsibility of the adults in any child's life to alleviate this debilitating emotion.

Remember, just because your child is experiencing some developmental delays does not mean that the final prognosis is Autism, or any other developmental disorder. Children develop at different rates, it can't be stressed enough. Some even learn to walk skipping the crawling milestone completely. And as long as your child is effectively communicating with you even if not in full sentences when he/she is supposed to, does not mean the child has a disorder.

Don't be afraid to talk this over with your child's pediatrician though. Any worries or fears should be discussed because it is the primary physician that will best be able to alleviate your fears. This in turn will help you to give your child a more stable, comfortable environment, whether or not the child has autism.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Original article

Autism Hallucinations Meets Musicophilia

Oliver Sacks' Musicophilia is an eye opener even if you do not have a daughter who has been troubled with schizophrenic like psychosis, a worsening of initial autism.

It is not too far of a reach that I considered autism while reading about some of the presentations brought to light by the good doctor.

One of Dr. Sacks' examples highlights the experience of an eight year old boy named Michael. This boy had music playing in his head pretty constantly, and could not find peace from it. He would ask that someone turn the music off.

Reading about Dr. Sacks' Michael took me back to an instance when my own autistic daughter articulated that I needed to turn it off while motioning toward our truck radio -- even as it the truck radio was not playing. She was dealing with internal noise. She was eleven and had been experiencing a presentation that was schizophrenic like for about a year.

During that particular 2004 winter truck ride, my daughter had started having conflict within herself. She became more and more worked up and when her internal conflict became too much she began to scream incessantly. She then kicked with her feet and slammed with her hands, the dashboard of the truck. She started hitting and throwing items. I gave her time to come down from her episode by parking in a secluded spot nearby the high school from which I was picking up my son.

Hiding for a while was a good bet because the uninformed judging that people engage upon when this sort of thing happens is like a nail in the coffin for parents like me. Ones who are trying to see things through in very difficult situations.

Eventually my daughter came down enough to remorsefully cry and tell me she was sorry and to hold her arms out for a hug. She again made a request that I turn it off. If I only could turn off her auditory hallucinations...

As it was -- for survival sake -- I and the rest of my family had learned to at first accommodate ourselves with learning the content of her hallucinations. After the initial process of learning her hallucinations, in order to suppose what part of her real world paradigms they came from, we could talk through them with her. Eventually she understood in her own terms that she was dreaming. At least, that is what the hallucinatory process began to represent for her -- even as she was awake while they transpired.

As for the why of my daughter's hallucinations, I and my family were able to eventually identify the many associative triggers which fueled and caused the flow of many of them.

Overall, Dr. Sacks' book really supports the idea that there can be incidental and odd triggers from thought associations that in turn cause internal noise or hallucinatory events. Since this is found in typically functioning individuals -- it is logical to realize that it is happening for some within the autism spectrum.

*****

Valerie chronicled events with regard to her family's experiences surrounding autism that turned to schizophrenic like psychosis, over a sixteen year period. In Hello, Dr. Wells she offers a diverse sample of information via the inclusion of surveys, assessment reports, journal entries, medication evaluations, educational reports and medical reports. These are woven throughout a poignant and sometimes heart wrenching account. Hello, Dr. Wells is available on the web at no cost. Just Google it.

Original article

Children With Autism - Recognizing the Signs

1. What is autism?

Autism is considered a spectrum disorder because symptoms and severity vary from individual to individual. Autistic children express differently from each other. Autism is characterized by failure of the child to develop communicative language or form proper social communication. But they show motor and other skills far beyond that of a mentally retarded child.

Autism is characterized by varying degrees of impairment to develop communicative language or form proper social communication. Some of them are obsessively pre occupied with inanimate objects such as lights, running water or spinning objects, and also by repetitive behaviors. Symptoms range from mild to severe. Some of them gradually develop extreme talents such as in mathematics and these are retained mostly throughout the life. Studies of people with autism have found abnormalities in several regions of the brain which suggest that autism results from a disruption of early fetal brain development

There is a milder form of the disorder known as Asperger's Syndrome. Other developmental disorders that fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorders are Rett's Syndrome, PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. If you have concerns about your child's development, don't wait: speak to your doctor about getting your child screened for autism.

2. What is meant by "On the spectrum"?
Autism is considered a spectrum disorder because symptoms and severity vary from individual to individual. Though the Autistic children show similar traits they are individual and express differently from each other. one child may have not developed speech and have difficulty in learning how to read and write, where as another child can easily read and write and can be attending normal school. Some children may display hypersensitivity to touch noise and other may have no sensory issues at all.

3. How common is autism?
According to the survey by Centers for Disease Control, autism affects as many as 1 in every 100 children and it is rising by 10-15% every year. It is the most prevalent developmental disorder in today's time. Boys are more susceptible than girls to develop Autism but it is seen that girls manifest a more severe form of the disorder that the boys.

4. How do I know my child is Autistic?
No two children with autism are alike, each one managing a different set of symptoms. But there are some signs and symptoms that are common and may be recognized as early as the toddler years, or even sooner. They usually do not have or do not sustain eye contact and have trouble communicating with other people or they may communicate in ways that others cannot easily understand. They may hardly speak and even if they speak it's just babbling and not coherent. They're also prone to repetitive behaviors like flapping their hands constantly or uttering the same phrase over and over again. They may also be over sensitive to sights, sounds and touch.

Criteria for Autism
A total Of 6 or more items of the following with at least 2 from [1], and one each from [2] and [3] are satisfied by the patient:

[1] Qualitative impairment in social interaction:

Marked impairment in facial expression
Failure to develop peer relationships
A lack of spontaneity in sharing interests
Lack of social or emotional reciprocity

[2] Qualitative impairment in communication:
Marked inability to initiate or sustain conversation with others.

[3] Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped pattern of behavior
Encompassing preoccupation with one stereotyped and restricted pattern.

5. How did my child develop autism?
No one is yet able to point to a probable cause. Though a disorder as common as autism would have a known cause, in many ways it's still quite mysteriously not known. Recent studies have suggested a strong genetic basis for autism. There are about 20 sets of genes that may play a part in the development of autism. Genes are not the only one responsible for all the cases; there are other triggers which are yet not discovered.

6. Does vaccination cause autism?
Many studies have been conducted to determine if a link exists between vaccination and increased prevalence of autism, with particular attention to the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and those containing thimerosal. These studies have not found a link between vaccines and autism It remains possible that, in cases, immunization might trigger the onset of autism symptoms in a child with an underlying medical or genetic condition.

As this is a sensitive topic it is best to discuss it with your healthcare provider who will guide you and ensure the optimal well-being of the child. Establishing open communication and trust with a physician who understands each child and his or her family is the best strategy for keeping a child healthy.

7. What help my child needs if He/She is Autistic?
Do not Panic first understand and learn about Autism from the right source that can be your doctor. You will need a good team of doctors, therapists, psychologists and teachers who understand and have experience with autism and can respond to his needs appropriately. Your healthcare provider can guide you toward various intervention programs and suggest complementary therapies. It also helps to associate with the existing network of parents facing the same challenges as you.

8. How to I deal with the diagnosis of Autism?
It is difficult to come to terms with the diagnosis that your child is having Autism but there is always a brighter side to every adversity. As we know the Autistic children have some special capabilities which the normal kids may not process. For e.g. some of the children we saw one was having an extraordinary power to memorize things only after reading once, one of them was brilliant in drawing and another in playing musical instrument. So do not blame your self or feel sad or hopeless. Take the right steps understand the disorder and if take care from your healthcare provider who will guide you with the exact nature of the disorder and how to deal with it. Keep the faith.

9. What therapies do I need for my child with Autism?
There are various therapies that are useful some of them are -
• Speech Language Therapy (SLT)
• Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Sensory Integration
• Physical Therapy (PT)
• Social Skills
• Picture Exchange Communication system
• Auditory Integration Therapy

10. What role Homeopathy plays in Autism?
Homeopathy is a holistic treatment and it plays a vital role in treatment of Autistic children. With the Constitutional Homeopathic treatment we can achieve increased level of concentration, decrease in hyperactivity and channeling of the energy in a constructive method. Homeopathic remedies act at the level of the Psycho Neuro endocrinal axis. Homeopathic treatment is safe and without side effects.

11. Can Autistic children become independent?
Yes Autistic children can become independent with the right intervention programs, therapy and proper care from the early stages once the child is detected with Autism. A sustained effort is needed to achieve the desired outcome from therapy and treatment. As Autistic children are having special capabilities which when nurtured properly can be a great asset in making the individual independent.

Dr Santosh Joshi graduated from the University of Pune India in the year 1999-2000.
With a firm grounding in classical homeopathy and the experience achieved by working with senior Homeopaths. He was an active participant in the seminars organized in Pune during his college years. He has also given case presentation on Homeopathy.He practices Homeopathy in the city of Mumbai India and he treats his global patients via the Online treatment procedure.

You can call him on: +919819155780
Email: tosh116@gmail.com

For more details visit us at: http://www.homeopathyclassical.blogspot.com/

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Helping Your ASD Child Survive A Sensory Sensitive Holiday

The holidays are a time of great joy, laughter, learning experiences, sensory awakenings, and fabulous opportunities. Unfortunately, maintaining a holiday atmosphere full of merriment and cheer is not possible to sustain twenty-four hours a day, every day of the week, especially when you have a child on the autism spectrum.

It's that time of year when candy, lights, sounds, new foods, family, and utter chaos can easily over stimulate your ASD child if you aren't paying attention. Keeping up with your child's sensory needs may seem difficult to do in the middle of holiday mayhem but it is the most important thing you can do to make the holiday season in your family more peaceful.

Sensory overload is very common during the holidays, for parents as well as children. It's a time of school field trips and parties, family visits, decorations galore and holiday shopping, when the stores are busier than ever. All of this activity makes it easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and more difficult to maintain the status quo.

Here are a few strategies and ideas to help the whole family get through this season with lots of pictures of smiling people and as many joyful memories as possible.

For the child who is sensitive to light:

Traveling sunglasses - If your child is sensitive to bright lights you should always be prepared with a set of sunglasses. Dropping in on Uncle Jim who is competing to have the best-lit house on his block may be too much for anyone's eyes to adjust to. Always have a supply of cheap yet fun sunglasses on hand to shade your child's eyes from glaring department store lights or the Christmas tree blinkers. You never know where you will find them.

For the child who is sensitive to touch:

Handling holiday huggers - This one is very difficult to address, especially with grandparents that just want to hug their grandchild to bits and pieces out of sheer love and joy. Some children love the deep pressure and will spend many happy times getting squeezes and cheek-pinches. Other children might flinch, back away or freak out or even hit, especially if startled by the touch.

Teach your child how to politely let people know they don't want to be touched. Either with a non-verbal signal, such as outstretched hand in STOP signal mode or with words, such as, "No, I don't want to be hugged, but I will shake your hand." This allows your child to experience a feeling of control and hopefully success in communicating.

Dressing for comfort - Many parents want their children to look their best for the holidays, especially for those photo sessions. But who can have fun and relax when they're uncomfortable? The most important thing for your child to be wearing during the holidays is a smile. Be willing to make compromises and respect your child's honesty when she says, "This itches too much."

Arguing with her statement will only risk a potential meltdown later in the day when she absolutely can't stand it anymore - if you were even able to get her to wear the itchy item in the first place. Feel free to cut off tags, turn clothing inside out so they don't feel the seams, or even wear a special pair of pj's. It's a holiday and kids are cute, you can get away with it!

For the child who is sensitive to sound:

Minimizing noise - Many children benefit from wearing earplugs or headphones during big family gatherings or at busy stores. They won't block out all the noise but will dull the noise enough to help. If you choose to use noise cancelling headphones just remember that you will have to work harder at trying to get their attention.

Scout out a place of respite - Wherever your travels take you during the holidays, be it grandma's house, the airport or shopping, find a nice quiet space away from everyone for a possible get-away. Bring your child's favorite snuggly, blanket or feel-good object for extra comfort. Don't be afraid to say to relatives, "His body needs some quiet time" and bring him to the previously identified place of respite so he can relax and regroup. Whether you stay with him or not, you or he will know when it is time to rejoin the group.

For the child with sensitive tastes or delicate tummies:

B.Y.O.F.- Bring Your own food - Holidays provide a great opportunity to try new foods. Taking a bite of cranberry for the first time can be a delight or a nightmare. If you know your child isn't going to eat what your host has served, be honest. Definitely let them know of any allergies ahead of time and if the list of your child's taste sensitivities is too long, bring an alternative food and don't apologize for it.

If the only thing your child will eat is a bologna sandwich for Thanksgiving dinner, so be it, as long as the reason for it is a legitimate sensory issue. Giving in to a child's minor dislikes too easily will develop an expectancy for future requests to be honored and you will be contributing to the picky eater syndrome.

For the child with a sensitive nose:

Develop scent awareness - Be cautious of scents that you place around the house during the holiday season. A child with a sensitive nose may not react well to different smells. Potpourri, air fresheners and scented candles in particular can carry very intense odors that could be responsible for contributing to an outburst. Consider purchasing unscented products and stick to natural aromas. Be careful though, even the wonderful smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree might be overwhelming to the senses of some children on the autism spectrum.

As parents, you know your child as well as anyone and most of these sensitivities are well known to you but as children develop, new sensitivities can arise. Paying attention to clues and noticing new reactions right from the start can go a long way towards preventing unnecessary meltdowns due to sensory overloads. Don't let something as avoidable as this put a damper on your holiday celebrations this season.

Connie Hammer, MSW, parent educator, consultant and coach, guides parents of young children recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder to uncover abilities and change possibilities. Visit her website http://www.parentcoachingforautism.com/ to get your FREE resources - a parenting e-course, Parenting a Child with Autism - 3 Secrets to Thrive and a weekly parenting tip newsletter, The Spectrum.

Original article

The Many Signs of Autism

If you are the parent of a newborn or young child and are worried about them being autistic, you will be interested in knowing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have concluded that as many as one child in every 100 may be suffering with Autism. It is recommended that you begin observing your child as early as possible. Research has proven that the earlier a child is professionally diagnosed with the disorder, the easier it will be to treat the disorder and have the prognosis for a good outcome.

So what are the signs of Autism that you should be looking for? According to the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), the following are the warning signs of the disorder that you should be looking for in order to determine the possibility of your child being affected:

- They are not babbling, making meaningful gestures, or pointing by the time they are a year old
- They do not interact joyfully with others or smile
- They do not respond to their name when called
- They do not seem to know or understand how to play with their toys
- They exhibit poor eye contact
- They get attached to one specific object or toy
- They haven't combined two words by the time they are 2 years old
- They haven't spoken one word by the time they have reached 16 months of age
- They line up objects or their toys
- They lose acquired language or social skills
- They oftentimes appear to be hearing impaired or ignoring you

Granted, there could be a number of other explanations besides Autism for any of the above behaviors. For instance, the fact that a child spends time lining up objects or toys or shows a significant attachment to a particular object or toy is not a definitive sign of the disorder being present. Conversely, a child with excellent language skills could still be diagnosed with Autism. In fact, it is known that children have extraordinary language and reading skills despite the fact that they have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

Currently, there are other possible indicators of the disorder which is typically diagnosed by a process of interviewing the parents about the child and observing the child at the same time. However, a number of researchers have found several correlations between Autism and certain physical issues. In some instances, signs of Autism could be apparent could be present at birth.

The most important thing to remember is that observation of one's child is critical. If you are suspicious of your child being affected with the disorder and you are seeing what you feel are signs of Autism, consult your child's pediatrician or family physician immediately. Remember that the best course of action is to have the child diagnosed as early in life as possible. The sooner the child is diagnosed, the sooner they can start treatment and possibly witness a better outcome.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Original article

Tips for Helping Your Child Become a Savvy Consumer

Every holiday from New Year's to Christmas and everything else in between provides opportunities for families and businesses to celebrate. It offers a time for families to gather and do something special and it gives business a chance to increase their revenues. As a result, the holidays and other occasions, such as back to school, are always accompanied by ample media messages in print and on the screen. We have come to know these as commercials and advertisements, and every holiday comes with new enticements to buy, buy, buy!

Commercials and advertisements have been around since the 1950's and every generation has been exposed to the shopping hype during the holiday season. Tis' the season for a constant barrage of media messages from various sources. Everyone that watches receives overt or subliminal messages from businesses that desperately want us to buy their wares - from a company trying to convince you that your child needs a particular item in order to reach his or her potential, to playing upon a parent's fear that their child's safety is at stake and a cell phone is what is needed to bring peace of mind.

As difficult as these messages may be for us adults to sort out and resolve, we are able to filter out what these cooperate conglomerates are attempting to do. We are able to think for ourselves and we have our values to guide us. Most of us are confident about our parenting identity and what we want for our children.

So where does that leave our children? Unfortunately, young children are very easily influenced by media messages, especially television commercials. Young children will use them to determine what is cool and what they think they need. The average child sees more than 40,000 commercials each year. Commercials are quick, fast-paced and entertaining. They are easy to remember with catchy phrases that try to convince your child they can't live without a certain product.

How many of you have experienced a constant request for certain toys, products, or clothing that your children have seen advertised on TV or on the internet? Once a commercial has enticed your child, the nag factor sets in. We have to expect that when kids are bombarded by ads telling them to buy certain products in order to be popular - that nagging will soon follow.

According to a national survey of youth commissioned by the Center for a New American Dream,

• the average American child aged 12-17 will ask their parents for products they've seen advertised on TV an average of nine times until their parents finally give in.

• for parents of so-called "tweens", 12-13 year olds, these children admit to asking their parents more than fifty times for products they've seen advertised.

Ask yourself if this is what you want to deal with when your child is that age?

We may not be able to control the images and enticements our children are bombarded with out there in the community at large but we certainly can maintain some control over which messages creep into our homes. How does a parent in today's media generated culture keep excessive commercialism from negatively impacting their child and the true spirit of the holidays? Here are some tips to help you get started.

Help Your Child Think Critically about TV

Whenever possible, talk to your child about what they see on television. If your child is very young she may not be able to tell the difference between a show, a commercial, a cartoon or real life and that characters on TV are make-believe and not real. For older children you can always turn a commercial or an advertisement into a learning experience by helping your child find the appropriate message. Always remember, if you do not want your child exposed to certain messages, you can either turn off the TV or explain why you object.

Help your child resist commercials

Do not expect your child to be able to resist ads for toys, candy, snacks, cereal, drinks or new programs without your help. When your child asks for products advertised on TV, explain that the purpose of commercials is to make people want things they may not need. Limit the number of commercials your child sees by watching public television stations (PBS) or other educational programing. You also can record programs and leave out the commercials or buy or rent children's videos or DVDs.

Make television viewing a team sport.

If your schedule prevents you from watching TV together as a family, try recording the programs so that you can watch them with your child at a later time. Watching TV with your children whenever you can allows you to mute the television during commercial breaks. This is a great time to discuss the life learning opportunities that can be derived from the television show you are viewing. Or, you can choose to watch the commercials together and help your children understand advertisers' marketing techniques.

Explore helpful resources.

Fortunately there is much that parents can do to protect their kids from the pressure to buy more and get more. The Center for a New American Dream http://www.newdream.org has a brochure called Tips for Parenting in a Commercial Culture , which can be downloaded for free.

Stay informed.

Find out what the experts are saying. The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a policy statement on commercialism and how constant exposure to advertising effects children - Children, Adolescents, and Advertising. These policy statements are always being revised and kept up to date so make sure you check in and see what they have to say.

When any child watches television you can be sure that he is receiving numerous media messages, which promote the notion that consumption is the pathway to happiness, acceptance, popularity and success. These messages are also creeping into the internet and the cell phones that now seem to be a normal part of life for most children. It is important to understand that any media, which advances a commercial culture may impact your holidays, your child and your wallet more than you realize BUT don't ever forget that you are in control.

If you say 'no' to television because of commercials, say 'yes' to something else - a board game, making a pie, or going on a bike ride together. Help your child find other things to do with his time, such as playing, reading, arts and crafts, exploring his natural environment, learning a hobby, a sport, an instrument or doing a community service. In doing so you can take pleasure in knowing that you are advancing a culture of creative thinkers and caring people.

Connie Hammer, MSW, parent educator, consultant and coach, guides parents of young children recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder to uncover abilities and change possibilities. Visit her website http://www.parentcoachingforautism.com/ to get your FREE resources - a parenting e-course, Parenting a Child with Autism - 3 Secrets to Thrive and a weekly parenting tip newsletter, The Spectrum.

Original article

An Enigma Called Autism - Its Causes and Cures

The human brain is so complex that man is incapable of deciphering the intricate way it is wired around. A minuscule disorder in the brain renders him incapable of normal behavior, leading scientists and researchers to give it several names like autism, the Asperger's syndrome, multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia etc., based on varying degrees of brain disorders.

Millions of dollars have been spent on research and diagnosis, but autism still remains a puzzle and an enigma because the autism spectrum covers diverse forms, ranging from acute behavioral, social and communication disorders to violent mood swings, hypertension coupled with precocious talents and high-functioning skills, on account of which it is hard to understand the root causes.

Cause for autism is mostly genetic and is sourced from the human brain, which scientists have been unable to conclusively prove otherwise. There is wide speculation about geeks who are brilliant tech people to be 'on the autistic spectrum' as they usually appear to lack social niceties, like Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, the stereotypical geek, who appears unmoved by his girlfriend's obvious frustration with his obsessive personality.

Heritability is another cause, when one of the parents is autistic, there is a risk of siring an autistic child though it is not clear which genes could be responsible. Complicated childbirths, like a messed up forceps delivery, is also considered responsible in rare cases. In recent studies, the MMR vaccine has been linked to the cause of autism though there has been no scientific evidence of the same, although it is a cause of great concern that autism in the US has increased to colossal proportions.

Whatever may be the case, if a child is diagnosed early with autism there are many proven physio, phycho and socio therapies that can be effectively applied, to help children lead fulfilling lives free of social stigma. Autistic children interact differently that may appear awkward, clumsy or even offensive. They avoid eye contact and appear lost in a world of their own.

Timely and appropriate therapies can do wonders to their disposition and behavior, as well as develop their motor skills. There are a range of treatments, to name a few are music, drama and art therapy, that is creative and fun-filled. Occupational, Speech-language and Behavior therapy to treat specific symptoms, Development therapies and the Tomatis Auditory therapy that uses an 'electronic ear' in order to stimulates the brain-ear-voice connecting sensors. These therapies help autistic children to follow social norms that are considered important in a regular world, as well as show them ways of expunging their feelings, whether violent or otherwise.

To know more about these therapies and select the best option for your child, visit my blog http://childmotorskills.blogspot.com/

Original article

Some Basic Facts About Autism and Related Developmental Delays

Autism disorders affect children as early as six months of age and are apparent by seven years of age. Children with autism experience the world differently than the rest of us. They see things differently. They learn things differently. They will even communicate differently. It is especially important to understand this. These children are often ostracized within the community because most people just don't understand what they are experiencing. These children are not sick, they are not less intelligent than the rest of us, but they are simply different.

These disorders involve trouble dealing with social situations and interacting on a social level. However, this is the main symptom of autism present themselves in pair or groups, this is the determinant for diagnosing the difference in most cases. Even children diagnosed with autism present the disorder differently. Children with developmental delays and autism related syndrome simply lack the ingrained intuition needed in social situations. They are unable to read body language, emotional cues, as well as environmental ones. They dislike changes in their routine and this can present them as stubborn and willful, argumentative and unmanageable. This is where patience from their parents and teacher becomes a mandatory part of their life.

If diagnosed young, children with autism can be taught the necessary skills needed in dealing with everyday life. Keep in mind that they are never going to handle it the way other people do and depending on the severity of their symptoms, they may always need a caregiver of some sort. Still, the goal is to help such children deal with their life, learning experiences. It is equally important for people surrounding them be as comfortably and well-adjusted as possible. Placing them in an educational environment specifically geared towards children with autism and other developmental disorders is the first step in this helpful therapy.

Children with these disorders need to feel that they are still loved. Even if they don't show affection in the normal way, compassion, nurturing, and love is still felt and the lack of such emotional contact can leave the child feeling even more anti-social, depressed, and lonely. This is dangerous to any child's well-being and especially that of a child with autism. Due to certain physical characteristics such as odd facial expressions, children with this disorder are often bullied and picked on by other kids their age. So, while it is necessary for such children to interaction with people and children in social situations, it may be beneficial for most of their time to be spent in an environment of understanding and acceptance.

The world needs to be taught a few things as well, not just these children. We need to begin to see them as a part of our society not as a stigma. Parents should be teaching their children the values of acceptance, patience, kindness and compassion for those different than themselves. It takes the cooperation of both sides to achieve peace.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Original article

Autism: New Teacher, New Life - How The Teacher Saved My Family From Destruction

Top Tip: With the right support network, things can change. This story is dedicated to a teacher who (like a set of braces) gave us our smiles back.

I am a father of a son Charlie, Charlie is now aged 11 and has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Charlie had moved from a mainstream class to an Autism Spectrum Disorder special needs unit, in a different school. It was felt that Charlie, while coping well in the mainstream environment would soon start to fall way behind. With the Characteristics of Autism becoming more noticeable; he started getting more frustrated and agitated in class. So, after loads of bustling with the Department of Education and some politicians, we eventually got Charlie into the special needs Autistic unit. He was to start in September at the age of seven. His new class was to have six new children, all different ages and all of different abilities. Charlie was to be the eldest and would be, by far the most vocal. So, after the summer holidays Charlie started in his new school; we were very apprehensive. Charlie started on a Thursday, two days ahead of everyone else, he absolutely loved it. He got to play on the PC on his own, he basically had free reign.

On the Monday after Charlie's first real full day we went to collect him. Charlie's teacher met us at the school door an explained that Charlie "had had an incident," he went to kick a Special Needs Assistant. This was quite out of character for Charlie and we found ourselves in a situation where we actually had no answers, it was new territory for us. Over the next few months Charlie's behaviour went downhill, we were called to the school regularly and our lives turned into hell. Charlie had become a hot tempered unreasonable child, he was not happy in school and he threw tables, hit adults and caused havoc in the class, it was just a nightmare. Jane hadn't wanted to send Charlie to the new school and she was being proved right, our relationship was straining, life was not good even poor Chris (Charlie's brother) was finding life tough. We were living life day to day, expecting a call from the Principal at anytime, making ourselves available to collect Charlie at the drop of a hat. We arranged meetings with the school Principal and the behavioural specialist. Jane had an argument with the Principal because she felt the Principal was being unreasonable (both Jane and the Principal are tough cookies), we were called to the school by the Principal three times to bring Charlie home because they couldn't handle him. By Christmas we were totally and utterly stressed and by the summer we were pulling our hair out, so much so that we were thinking of moving Charlie to a Higher Dependency Autism Unit. The children in this unit would have far greater educational needs than Charlie, however, they wouldn't have as bad a temper. My biggest problem with Charlie's change of character was, that Jane and I could only control his home environment and we felt helpless when it came to his schooling issues, however home life had also dramatically worsened.

In June we received a letter home from the school to say the current teacher (who had twenty five years experience teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorder) was retiring. Jane and I embraced this as we felt maybe a change in teacher might bring a fresh set of eyes to a difficult situation. I met with the new teacher (Mrs. Hannon) for a few brief minutes, she ran through her qualifications and explained to me about what she hoped to be able to achieve with Charlie. I explained where we were at the start of last year versus where we are now, and how traumatic the last year had been, both for us and Charlie. Mrs. Hannon said she has dealt with far worse than Charlie and she would expect him to reach the goals and targets that she sets out for him. I left the meeting delighted, at last we would have the support structure that Charlie needed and Mrs. Hannon seemed to know her stuff, she was like a breath of fresh air.

September arrived, I have to say Jane and I really weren't looking forward to Charlie going to school again. "What if he starts on Mrs. Hannon," Jane said "I don't know, let's just wait and see," I answered. For the first few months Mrs. Hannon had to get to know Charlie, his moods, his tantrums and his likes and dislikes. She had some difficult issues, one that sticks in my mind was where Charlie had been so violent that the whole class had to be moved to another room, however, things were changing and the teacher was getting a handle on the situation. By December of the first year with Mrs. Hannon, Charlie's tantrums had drastically reduced. By the summer he was only having tantrums a few times a month. Mrs. Hannon had set the boundaries and Charlie knew not to cross them, because he would receive dire consequences. Jane and I were delighted with the new teacher; we showed our appreciation by doing exactly as we were asked, and also being proactive with Charlie's educational and social needs. By September of the following year Mrs. Hannon suggested that Charlie be included in the mainstream class for two hours a day. This was a dream come true we had at last got our son back. There were a few sticky incidents with Charlie going to the mainstream environment but in general he did well and if he had an issue he was brought back down to the Autistic Special Needs Unit.

By the following September (which is this year) we were asked by Mrs. Hannon to allow Charlie to spend most of his time with the fifth class boys, and only go to the Autism Special Needs Unit for Math and English. Again we were ecstatic, Charlie has surpassed himself, he hasn't had one incident yet, our fingers and toes are crossed, we are hoping he keeps up the good work. We think he has turned a corner in his life. It seems as if Charlie's thought process has changed, he now thinks he is in a mainstream environment needing remedial help rather than being in a remedial environment needing mainstream help. We know from the past that things can go wrong at the blink of an eye but it does seem at this stage that Charlie will continue on this path to improvement.

If it is not obvious from this story, my family owe our entire happiness to Mrs. Hannon and her team, which include beech park services. Mrs. Hannon is without a doubt an unsung hero, it is people like her that make life worth living; she always has the child's interest at heart. Just seeing how dedicated she is, and how exhausted she looks at 14:30 hrs on a Friday evening, after putting all her strategies in place, is moving. We have been given our son again, the son that laugh's in the morning at seven o'clock, and laugh's when he goes to bed, the son that doesn't hurt daddy anymore and doesn't curse at his brother. The son that tells his mammy he loves her and she is the best in the world, the son that says he will tell his teacher if daddy gets angry and the son that picks up acorns for the fifth class nature table. We owe a great deal to Mrs. Hannon and maybe this story can be a small repayment for the immense work she has put in.

My Name is Peter Devlin, my website is AutismInIreland, Here is the URL http://www.autisminireland.com/. I have an 11 year son Charlie, he has Autism. I am now an expert on Autism. The journey has been tough, extremely tough. I have decided to write a series of short stories about how I managed to beat Autism and sometimes how Autism managed to beat me. Have a look at Charlie's pictures they are amazing. Send me your stories, and lets educate together. My website has a multitude of stories and helpful hints about Characteristics of autism and traits pertaining to Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Original article

Autism Healthcare

The United States has a fragmented healthcare system made of many private health care facilities that are largely owned by the private sector. Primary care doctors are usually the first point of entry when there are any health concerns before referrals to any other appropriate health establishment if necessary. There are thousands of insurance companies that cover private health insurance and up until fairly recently it has been very hard to get health insurance to cover autism because it is risky and treatment is very expensive. This has recently changed due to new legislation but availability can depend on whether a particular State has enacted autism insurance legislation or coverage for government funded health programs such as Medicaid.

The causes of autism are not readily known or available. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that autism and related disorders are more common than previously thought. There is an increase in those being diagnosed and 3-4 times as many boys than girls are affected. On average one in 110 children born in the U.S. have autism. One in 70 boys and one in 315 girls are affected. It is thought by professionals that the increase is due to a wider definition of the spectrum.

It is essential to get an expert diagnosis in order to access the different services and treatments that may be available as it is beneficial to begin an early intervention program. An evaluation and assessment of the child may be done by a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Doctors who specializes in autism will observe the child, ask parents questions about the child's development and behavior and do a variety of tests such as intelligence tests to evaluate the child's strengths and weaknesses.

The following are some examples of the types of people and places listed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of whom to go to that will make a referral to, or provide diagnostic and treatment services (NIMH):

Family doctors
Mental health specialists such as psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors
Community mental health centers
Health maintenance organizations
Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatients clinics
State hospital outpatient clinics
Local medical and/or psychiatric societies

Once diagnosed, the quest to find affordable health insurance coverage to cover autism can begin. Around half of states currently have enacted autism insurance legislation which makes healthcare insurance coverage for more available, though it can be expensive. Recent laws have increased coverage for government funded health programs such as Medicaid for those on low incomes and disability is covered if it comes within the disability guidelines, so more families now qualify for assistance.

There are all kinds of treatments and interventions available and a treatment plan can be devised and tailored towards the individual child. Different teams of specialists can evaluate such things as speech, communication and motor skills. The main ways of treating the child can be through:

Behaviour Therapies and other types of therapies

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be used to shape and modify behavior. Occupational Therapy is available to work on fine and gross motor skills, for example, and there are other therapies such as Speech Therapy.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for school age children

Parents are encouraged to be involved with teachers in setting targets or goals to be reached within the particular school year and describes any special support required in meeting them.

Medication

Currently, there are no medications available to treat autism, but there are supplements that can treat and manage some of the symptoms. Ritalin, for example, can be used to treat impulsivity and overactivity and there are other drugs that can be used to treat behaviors such as aggressive behaviors or repetitive behaviors.

Though healthcare is fragmented in the United States, there is a wide range of therapies and interventions available for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Accessing these can depend on the child having an expert diagnosis on autism and on what health insurance coverage the child has.

References:

CDC. Cdc.gov: How Many Children Have Autism? Retrieved 29 March, 2011, from
cdc.gov/ncbddd/features/counting-autism.html

NIMH. Nimh,nih.gov: How To Find Help
nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/getting-help-locate-services/index.shtml

Original article

Recognizing the Milder Symptoms of Autism

Most individuals tend to focus on Autism as the most severe disorder of all the Autism Spectrum disorders. It is typically triggered by dysfunctional neurological issues that oftentimes lead to dramatic and highly irreversible damage in behaviors, communication skills, physical development, and social interaction. The average age at which the disorder becomes detectable is three years old.

Despite the seriousness of the disorder, there are milder symptoms of Autism which are referred to as Asperger's Syndrome. Additionally, children suffering with Asperger's Syndrome usually have average to above-average IQ's. The following is information on the six most common yet milder symptoms of Autism:

Emotional concerns - individuals who suffer with milder Autism may oftentimes exhibit mood swings, even at an early stage in their lives. This is displayed when they get easily agitated because someone disrupts their "normal" routine.

Motor skill impairment - poor motor skills are usually a sign of mild Autism as well as the more severe cases. For instance, it may be difficult for them to catch a ball or there may be delays in learning handwriting skills.

Social skill impairment - another one of the skills that is usually impaired when a person exhibits the milder symptoms of Autism involves conversational difficulties, specifically starting and continuing a conversation with another individual. Additionally, the person finds it difficult to maintain eye contact with that person they are conversing with.

Obsessiveness - it is not uncommon for any child to focus on a single hobby or toy. However, when they are suffering with milder symptoms of Autism, they will not want to have anything to do with objects or toys that do not center around that favorite hobby or toy. They may talk incessantly about their obsession with that hobby or toy as well.

Repetition in speech - children with milder symptoms of Autism oftentimes repeat what they have heard from a book or on TV as well as what another person may have said to them. In many cases, this is due to the fact that the child's memorization skills are above-average compared to normal children.

Sensory issues - some children may also be suffering with sensory issue impairment. Certain things may aggravate or bother them such as bright lights, noises that are louder than normal, and the textures of certain foods.

As was mentioned above, the symptoms of Autism are usually spotted in the earlier years of a child's life. Although individuals suffering with the disorder do not always appear to be different from other individuals, their abnormalities are usually revealed in the way that they communicate, interact socially, and learn.

Finally, another aspect is that individuals who are suffering with Autism will share some common characteristics of the disorder. However, it is wrong to generalize these symptoms of Autism because of the fact that no two individuals, even those with Autism, are ever alike. Just like normal individuals, people with autism will develop distinctly unique personalities and will have different ways in which they relate to and understand the ways of the world.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Original article

Facts About Symptoms of Autism

The neural development disorder that are characterized by impaired communication, repetitive and restrictive behavior, and social interaction is known as Autism. Normally the symptoms of Autism or the disorder's warning signs begin before the child has reached three years of age. The disorder affects the processing of information in the brain because it changes how a person's nerve cells and their synapses connect with one another and then organize themselves. Unfortunately, the way in which this occurs is not understood.

In the Autism Spectrum, Autism is one of the three disorders that it covers. Asperger's Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) are the other two that are components of the spectrum. PDD-NOS is typically diagnosed when the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome or Autism are not present. Although the genetics involved in Autism are extremely complex in nature, it isn't clear as to whether or not Autism Spectrum Disorders are rare mutations or rare combinations of genetic variations.

In rare occurrences, the symptoms of Autism are strongly related to genetic agents that are responsible for birth defects. Additionally, there are numerous controversies that surround environmental issues including childhood vaccines, heavy metals, and pesticides. Interestingly enough, the hypothesis regarding the vaccine issue is biologically implausible and lacks any psychological or scientific evidence. In recent reports published by the CDC, they estimate that roughly 1 out of every 100 children have the symptoms of Autism.

Since the 1980's when Autism became a common concern of the medical and psychological communities, the increase in the number of diagnoses of the disorder have increased exponentially. Naturally, this is due in part to changes and updates where current diagnostic practices are concerned. However, whether or not it can be considered prevalent in US society is the source of numerous debates. What is known for sure is that parents typically notice the symptoms of Autism within the first two years of the child's life.

The symptoms of Autism will vary greatly from one individual to the next. However, there are specific core symptoms that every individual who is suffering with autism have in common. These include:

Limited interests in normal activities or the way in which they play - a need for an established routine, an unusual focus on certain objects or toys, and the preoccupation of specific topics or subject matter

Non-verbal and verbal communication - delay in or a lack of learning how to talk, difficulty understanding the perspective of those listening to them, problems engaging in meaningful conversation, and a repetitive or stereotyped use of language

Social interaction and relationships - failure to establish friendships or relationships with their peers; lack of empathy; lack of interest where sharing achievements, enjoyment, or interests with others is concerned

As a parent, you need to be compiling a list of any unusual behavior while observing your child on a regular basis if you are concerned that they are showing the symptoms of Autism mentioned above. In so doing, when you discuss these issues with your child's pediatrician, family physician, or are referred by either to a specialist to determine if Autism is present, this will help considerably.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Original article

Importance of Early Detection of Autism Signs

Autism signs manifest themselves by the ages of two and three. A significant degree of awkwardness in certain developmental stages is the first signs that a child may be suffering from a developmental disorder within the autism spectrum. The child may seem not affectionate, antisocial, stubborn, and obsessive-compulsive. Usually the child suffering from autism sees the world in a different way. This disorder, like others, affects brain growth and development. It affects it from the time of birth and onwards. There is no cure for this disorder, in fact some people see it as more a difference than a disease of any sort. There are, of course treatment and therapy options that will allow the child to build the necessary skills for coping with the life they will be facing.

Signs of autism include the inability to effectively communicate with other people. This includes parents, teachers and peers. The reason being is that a child with symptoms of autism does not react or understand otherwise intuitive cues from environmental, emotional, and social stimuli. These children see the world in black and white. They are very literal in their understanding of things. Unfortunately, with all of the nuances and gray areas of communication and feeling this will often lead to misunderstandings and confusion. Overstress such as these can cause an autistic child to seem irritable, willful, and stubborn. They may throw tantrums and otherwise act unmanageable. This simply stems from their fear and confusion over something. Thus, this factor and their need to have a stable routine that is unhindered with change.

High functioning autistic experience the same symptoms but to a lesser degree. These individuals can pretty much live their lives as normally as possible with only the need and guidance from outside sources in some cases. Individuals with high functioning autism often only seem a little different and can fit in well amongst the crowds. The more severe the symptoms of autism, the harder it will be for a child or even an adult to live a normal life. This is why detecting signs of autism early is so important. The sooner we know about a child's problem the sooner we can begin helping them to cope and live with it.

Treatment is available for people with autism and other disorders in that spectrum. There is not a cure, but therapy and special education classes can help a child learn skills and coping methods to handle his/her disorder throughout life. Acceptance of a child's difference, patience and understanding with his difficulties, and an open mind at his/her view on life is essential for helping these children feel comfortable with the world around them. Feeling safe and comfortable with who they are and confident in how they can interact with other people is one of the most important aspects of dealing with these developmental disorders. And because autism signs present themselves early, it means that someone with this disorder will have quite a long time to develop these skills. Living with autism is difficult for everyone involved, but it is manageable.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Original article

Tips To Help Children With Autism

Caring for children with Autism can oftentimes be extremely frustrating based on the fact that they require constant attention that is intense and multifaceted. The following pointers will give you a better idea of how to help children with Autism:

Children with Autism need to be a part of the family, not the center of attention and the focal point of it - in the long run, no child suffering with Autism actually benefits from the total attention of their parents, especially when they are not the only child in the family.

Consistency is always the key - you should establish a constant routine that the child knows is going to happen day in and day out. Being disorganized with this and trying to juggle too many things at once will only confuse the child. As a result, they respond by acting out and engaging in bizarre behaviors.

The same words should always be used when you reprimand or reward the child - remember that children with Autism do not learn easily from their experiences. Even if the exact same activity has taken place yesterday, they will see this as a brand new experience the very next day.

If you want to correct behavior that is unacceptable or undesirable, use behavior modification to do so - always remember that tangible rewards will increase the child's motivation. A good rule of thumb is to provide 10 different praise or reward statements for every corrective one.

Children with Autism will provide cues that improper behavior is about to happen - they may start to avoid eye contact or start to whine about something.

Always pay attention to the warning signs - children with Autism need basic instruction so you need to guide them through the activity or task and then reward them for their efforts when it is completed.

Describe what you are about to do with your Autistic child ahead of time - they are easily confused when you make changes in their routine so this will help to an extent.

Find the best special education courses possible to facilitate your child's needs - most of the early intervention programs out there offer special education courses designed specifically for children with Autism that have not reached school age yet, so you can start them on the right path early on.

Contact your local health department and school district - these organizations as well as your pediatrician will have knowledge of all-day and preschool programs that are available in your local vicinity. You may want to search the internet for more information.

3 tips to consider

Maximizing the potential of children with Autism by being consistent with everything you do and say is critical.

The needs of an autistic child are best served by special education classes in public or private school once they reach 5 years of age.

Having time to your own self is very important. Frustration drains a parent of the emotional energy that is required to help the Autistic child. Ask for assistance from friends and family, if needed.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Original article

How to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Your Special Needs Child Effortlessly

I interviewed Joshua Pittman on how to effortlessly reduce the stress/anxiety in your special needs child. He touches on how one technique can improve attention, reduce stress, anxiety, and impulsive behavior.

1. Please introduce yourself?

My name is Joshua Pittman. I was born and raised here in NYC. I went to film school at NYU and worked at a film post-production company for five years before learning how to teach the TM technique. I learned the TM technique as a teenager in high school. I saw my mom and step-dad meditating at home and liked the silent atmosphere that it seemed to create. I wished my friends in school did it too.

2. Where do you currently work?

I am one of the directors of the TM program in Manhattan.

3. What is your expertise?

I teach people how to effortlessly transcend the surface outer field of life and experience their silent Self within.

4. How can TM help students with special needs?

As a society we are always on the go. We never take a moment to experience who we really are - to smell the roses. We are therefore always looking for solutions to our problems on the surface, and therefore never really find the root of our problems. All problems and suffering are caused by a lack of experience of the Self. Having this experience wakes up the brain, and makes one more coherent, more aware, and more resilient to the stresses in life. It is not mood making or wishful thinking, it is a powerful and practical solution.

5. Is it easy for students with special needs to implement in their daily lives?

It is easy and doesn't take long to add this simple procedure of TM to one's daily routine, and the benefits are wide reaching. Students meditate for 10-15 minutes twice a day. Parents who meditate will benefit as well. Adults meditate for 20 minutes twice a day to release stress and create more happiness and peace in their life.

6. What age do you recommend children start learning this technique?

TM is effortless and enjoyable so ten-year-old children learn the same sitting down, eyes closed meditation that adults learn. Children under ten can learn a children's technique if their parents have already learned TM.

7. Where can parents go to learn more about TM?

There are some wonderful videos, and stories on www.DavidLynchFoundation.org.

Stephen DeSerio can be found on http://www.smdaba.com/ (free 30 minute evaluation). This site is designed for parents/caregivers who need assistance in raising their child with autism and other behavioral concerns.

Original article

Caring for Adults With Autism

As children with autism grow into adulthood, parents often have a more difficult time caring for them. Depending on the degree of autism, an adult with autism may be difficult to manage, physically and emotionally, especially for aging parents who may have many health issues of their own. Autism treatment for adults is not standardised; much depends on the parents' financial resources, the severity of the disease and the available facilities.

Adult day care centers for people with autism or other mental disorders can be a god-send for weary parents. Facilities that have transportation to pick up clients and safely transport them to centers with the help of trained personnel avoids the tussles of trying to coax an autistic adult into the car and safely delivering him to a facility. Centers have activities during the day geared to the functioning levels of the clients. Some facilities have medical personnel, occupational therapists or psychologists available.

Group homes that provide permanent living quarters for adults with autism often feature personalised attention for a small number of residents, each of whom have their own room. For adults with autism capable of living on their own with just a small amount of supervision, a group home may offer an ideal solution. Larger group homes for individuals less able to cope with life in the outside world may become necessary when a family can no longer handle the demands of dealing with a severely autistic adult.

Many autistic adults can hold jobs and relish the structure connected with having a dependable routine. Finding a company willing to hire an adult with autism takes persistence; as many as 62 percent of adults with autism do not work, according to Autism Europe. For high-functioning autistics, not having a job contributes to their frustration and sense of worthlessness in a society that values holding a job. Teaching life skills important to obtaining and keeping a job can be an important part of autism treatment for adults capable of handling the responsibility of work.

For families that wish to keep their adult children at home, home modifications can help reduce the stress on both the family and the adult with autism. For wanderers, securing the perimeter of the house with a large fence may be necessary. Durable furniture, bathroom modifications, alarm systems, tempered glass on windows and creation of walking loop for an adult with autism who paces can make life easier for the entire family.

For some families, simply figuring out their adult child's favorite color and painting walls and buying carpet or clothing only in that colour decreases destructiveness. People with autism often have strong colour and tactile preferences; catering to those preferences can have a calming effect as well as lead to a desire not to destroy or damage an item of a certain colour.

Parents of an adult child with autism live in a constant state of flux. A living situation that works today may not work tomorrow, especially as parents age and their own health and physical issues change. Keeping informed of the available options in case the need for them suddenly arises is one of the essential tasks of parenting an adult with autism.

For more information on autism care, visit Autism Care UK

Original article

Neurogenesis Altered From Accidental Recombination: A Possible Cause For Excess Neurons In Autism

Neuron Number and Size in Prefrontal Cortex of Children with Autism (Courchesne, et al) refers to the standard of fixed, immutable neurogenesis - after initial early brain development. The group seems to have some focus upon insisting that the fix is in with regard to autism being present from earliest fetal development. For some in the autism spectrum this very likely holds true.

Courchesne and cohorts "...propose that increased neuron number in the PFC is a key contributor to brain overgrowth in autism. Neurogenesis is complete before birth in the PFC and in all of the cerebral cortex. Developmental programmed cell death (apoptosis) occurs before and shortly after birth, and these processes affect the net number of neurons in childhood."

The big therefore, is that vaccination cannot cause autism because the fix is in for some who have been labeled autistic; at least this is what has been proposed in many media outlets.

There are many experts who emphasize that "The human brain is not limited to the neurons it is born with, or even the neurons that fill in after the explosion of brain development in early childhood." (Neurogenisis: How To Change Your Brain, Perlmutter)

Research has shown that neural regeneration occurs after injury. Adult neurogenesis and neural regeneration are mechanized assonant to embryonic neurogensis. (Discoveries: Brain Cell Regeneration, Karger, Basel)

Adult neurogenesis, neuroinflammation and therapeutic potential of adult neural stem cells provides that, in some cases, neurogenesis might be modulated by drug treatments. In that, adult neurogenesis is proposed to transpire from use of antidepressants. (Phillipe Taupin) Would use of antidepressants, by the subjects utilized in Courchesne's research, cause the need for a second look at the outcome?

Neural stem cells continually replenish and can differentiate into neurons. It is all in our DNA. The question that some are asking is if human DNA residuals, present in vaccinations as a result of utilizing lung tissues of the aborted, is altering the process of neurogenesis - after birth; this via homologous recombination done without intention during the vaccination process.

I fear we may never be able to fully explore all the possibilities because of the love affair that media and the medical field has with assuring that vaccination, in no way, contributes to autism. This, even as vaccination has proven to contribute to onset of autism for many children. Autism is only a psychiatric label given when certain features are displayed; it is without known cause, and is usually accompanied by comorbid conditions with known medical cause. The comorbid conditions are many times easily identified as being caused by vaccination.

About our journey with autism... At the very beginning I figured, no big deal, we'll get our daughter normalized in no time and pretty soon she would be asking for the car keys. It didn't quite work out that way and as my entire family and I continued to work through the ebb and flow of her unique walk, we fell madly in love with her in all her glory. This articles are just an outreach in case the information is helpful to anyone.

For a real life look at one case of severe autism, just Google "Hello, Dr. Wells". It is a sixteen year account of autism that turned to schizophrenic like psychosis.

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Can You Improve Your Conversation Skills With Your Autistic Child?

Every child with the disorder of autism has varying degrees of communication skills. Do you want to improve the conversation skills for your child who has the disorder of autism? If you do, how can it be accomplished?

Many children with autism can be confused with certain phrases we use in our every day language. For example: "Pennies from heaven," or it is "raining cats and dogs," "money grows on trees, when blooming," "to save for a rainy day, you will be sure of a drizzle."

Trying to have your child understand and interpret this kind of conversation and language, is a challenge for your child. Can this be improved, to have your child better understand this type of communication?

Have you ever tried to comprehend some of the conversations you have had or are having, with your child who has autism, in addition, to his or her peers?

Some individuals use phrases with a large amount of chatter and talk that only they seem to understand and it means something to them. Someone else trying to listen and communicate with their conversation, it makes no sense and it is confusing.

Some individuals who have autism, will use a monologue and not quit talking. They are not aware of the fact, people are bored with their conversation. Parent(s) become confused as to how they can improve the skills of communicating with their child. You may be in that category.

I have a friend who has an autistic child and he is constantly using gestures. They are powerful with his conversations, but his gestures are extremely confusing for other people to understand what they mean.

You as parent(s), caregiver(s), must understand that your child does want to have a conversation, with you or other individuals. You have the challenge to improve it. Improving conversation skills with your child who has autism, requires patience.

In the past, I have used flash cards to help with conversation skills when children have a difficult time expressing or formulating conversations with other individuals.

Practice spending time to show an interest in what your child is saying and expressing, to improve a conversation that makes sense and is understood.

You may want to use pictures, word games,gestures, puppets, flannel boards, videos, books, go for walks in the park, the library, etc.

Keep communication open and current with your child. Do not be afraid to talk to your child as you would with another child who does not have autism.

During conversations with your child, be aware of what your child understands and has difficulty with. You can change and improve the conversation skills by being alerted to the needs of improvement to develop new conversation skills.

* Keep your conversations simple. Use appropriate language, speak clearly, slowly and have a desire for your child to respond.

* Praise, smile encourage your child for the efforts of improving skills for their conversations.

I have discovered that role-playing is a helpful part of improving conversation skills for your child.

Are you willing to take an interest in improving the conversation skills of your child? Start today.

Have you thought about receiving your FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER? Get the full story. Go to>>> http://www.autismintoawareness.com/ and leave your name and email address. Bonita Darula wants you to learn, grow, gain knowledge about autism. Take immediate action now.

Original article

Autism: Peeking Into the Undisclosed Mind

The interface of man and environment is still, the most intriguing mystery yet to be understood by us. We do not comprehend the human mind, utterly and wholly. That basic breach, in our basic understanding have either left us helpless, or have stretched our 'research-instincts' to realms forbidden for long, yet encroached upon for the sheer need of it.

When we are discussing 'cognitive neuroscience' (behavioural sciences), we ought to make up our minds to delve into the deepest realms. When we are referring to autism, we need to refer to something called the 'autism spectrum disorders' or ASD. Now, let's understand what ASD denotes. It denotes a group of symptomatically associated disorders pertaining to defective cognition in human beings due to biochemical discrepancies in the human neurology. These include Autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, Child Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental disorder and Rett Syndrome. Cognitive delays, repetitive behavioural tendencies and social deficits are marked features of ASD.

The onset, if at all has to take place in an individual appears within three years of his/her birth. Parents may get the indications of their child being autistic roughly around 18 months, when the child exhibits typical speech disabilities. Now, reasons to such a neurological anomaly are a vast area of mystery, but certain, probable causes are, Chromosomal abnormalities (this being the most obvious of reasons), digestive tract disorders, inability to metabolise vitamins in the body, mercury poisoning, vaccine sensitivity etc. Many consequent dysfunction is observed (from the neurological aspect), which may include, Fragile X Syndrome, mental retardation and tuberous sclerosis and seizures. In a more layman way of putting things, your child could be autistic when you find him or her responding (or not responding at all) to general stimuli around him.

The brain development is markedly hindered; or they unfold in exceptional patterns that cannot be synced with the said 'normal' environment. The diagnostic technique is based on 6 symptoms, two each, on qualitative impairment of social interaction and communication, and one each in restrictive and repetitive behaviour. Tools, for research, Childhood Autism rating scale (to measure severity), Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (based on parental interviews) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, based on the interactive capability of the child and observation of the same. Various research organisations namely, Autism Research Institute, Autism Speaks, Autism Society of America, Autistica etc. Are dedicated towards intensive medical researches and can be communicated with for relevant, practices that you might wish to consult for treatment, advancements etc. Yes, alternative therapies are coming upfront as well, along with hard-core medical applications and expertise in computer programming, educational computer-based games etc. Autism resources after they were known, and observed in many individuals, gave rise to experimenting and testing knowledge to diagnose the severity of autistic cases and apply respective treatment procedures.

Richard emphasises on the 'alternative' therapeutic applications of his research on treating autism. Resources for autism can be availed from various online journals like 'Autism Network', and a multitude of research papers and essays and online databases.

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What Are Some Mild Autism Treatments?

The symptoms of mild autism are far less severe than those associated with more severe forms of this condition. Unfortunately, this will often result in many children being undiagnosed for several years, and the treatment process being delayed. In many cases of children having mild autism, if they perform a sequence of different therapies and treatments they can recover.

Individuals with a mild form of autism will often develop very well and have a normal speaking ability. Regular therapy at a young age can have incredible results, and can help to cure the child of all signs of autism. Treatments will typically fall into two different categories, and will need to be tailor made to the individual child.

Every single autism case is unique; therefore, the child will need to be assessed before treatment should begin. Both educational and medical treatments can be successful, depending on the child and how mild the autism symptoms are. Although drugs are diagnosed for some forms of autism, many people prefer to use other methods and treatments. Speech therapy, physical therapy and animal assisted therapy, are all extremely popular.

Speech therapy is one of the most common treatments available and many children with mild autism will need to perform this. Children with mild autism will often develop their speech differently, and their necessary communication skills may be lacking. Therefore, spending the time to re-educate the child and encourage them to speak appropriately is essential. If the child is struggling to communicate correctly, other methods such as picture exchange may be used.

Animal assisted therapy is becoming a very effective form of treatment for mild autism sufferers and can be highly effective with children. The daily routine that is needed with animals can help children come to terms and deal with their autism. The daily interaction with an animal can have remarkable healing and therapeutic benefits. Feelings of loneliness and stress will vanish when a unique bond is formed between the child and the animal.

Massage therapy has been found to help people with developmental issues and mild forms of autism. Regular massage therapies can help to relieve stress, increase attention spans and help with the overall aversion to being touched. Many children with mild autism will not know how to show affection, and will be unsure of appropriate touching and hugging. Therefore, the massage and touch therapy can help to relax and guide them.

Music therapy is a controlled experience that can help with autism in many different ways, and help positive changes to be achieved. Through planned sessions that should be developed to suit the child, many different things can be achieved. Music is an extremely powerful tool and can be used in several different forms. This can include singing, playing instruments, listening to music and moving to the sounds.

Sensory integration is particularly beneficial especially to children who find it difficult to cope with their surroundings. Many children with autism will not adapt to the environment they are in, which can cause disruptive behavior. By teaching the children more regarding their senses and how to cope with the feelings they are experiencing, they will develop far better. By including several of the different techniques it is possible to take positive steps to curing mild autism.

Get more information about non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical and alternative autism treatments at the Life Vessel of the Rockies, serving the Colorado and surrounding areas.

Original article

Autism-Mercury-Vaccination: Suspicion Is My New Religion!

"Scandal Exposed in Major Study of Autism and Mercury" says that documentation obtained, a result of the freedom of information act, reveals "U.S. officials apparently colluded in covering-up the decline in Denmark's autism rates following the removal of mercury from vaccines".

The scandal with regard to officials in the US is hardly surprising. With greater frequency the American public seems to be propagandized by the self-interested who are usually in positions of importance. It is not that there is nothing to see in the newest scandal, it is just that it would be nice if something could be done about the persistent falsehoods that emit from those whom we are supposed to be able to trust.

In the ongoing wake of such atmosphere, suspicion has become my new religion.*

Not too long ago the media declared the autism-vaccination concern debunked, all because of a proposed lack of evidence with regard to harm done by mercury. I could not believe the blinders that were on, simply because of the strong focus upon mercury. Right alongside the reports about the lack of harm done by mercury, are reports of findings that conclude vaccination does cause harm to children regardless of what the ingredients are. So, you say mercury and I say human DNA residuals. The point is that vaccinations can harm some children.

The rub here is that autism affected children many times present with co-morbid disorders that are associated with probability of damage from vaccination, and peer review continues to accept instances where vaccination is the cause for devastating neurological illness. That is why vaccination courts are in place - they allow families recourse. There have been cases that have prevailed to do with vaccination injury that resulted in brain damage.

In May of 2011: "Members of the Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law and Advocacy (EBCALA), along with parents and children who received federal vaccine injury compensation, held a press conference in Washington D.C. - announcing a study published in the Pace Environmental Law Review that looked at actual cases of brain injuries due to vaccines that were compensated in the government's Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The study found 83 cases (and still counting) of autism, showing that the government has known about the autism - vaccine link for many years now, due to the millions of dollars awarded to parents for these brain injuries. (83 cases just tip of the iceberg, Health Impact News)

Another thing that has always been known is that there have always been acknowledged risks involved in vaccination. The point of the vaccination programs is that a few fall into devastating illness so that the many might never be exposed to certain illnesses; this is an emphasis on the "herd's" overall wellness. What people forget is the fact that a few are expected to fall, due to the vaccinations. That is why guidelines for exceptions are in place in order that those who may be compromised in response are protected. Even when insisting upon the good of vaccinations - opting out of vaccinations has always been considered reasonable under conditions where known predispositions to increased risk are present. Sure looks like the children who prevailed in vaccination court would have benefitted from an exception...

More recently a study by the Institute of Medicine concludes: "...that evidence convincingly supports a causal relationship between some vaccines and some adverse events-such as MMR, varicella zoster, influenza, hepatitis B, meningococcal, and tetanus-containing vaccines linked to anaphylaxis." (Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality, Aug 2011, Institute of Medicine) They then dismiss causality for autism.

The Institute of Medicine seems to have simply hedged the bet. They identified risks with co-morbid disorders of known medical cause and simply left the psychiatric label of autism alone. This seems very politically correct, but also disingenuous. Autism is just a psychiatric label that attempts to make sense of clinical features in children; it therefore could never really be linked to any one thing because medical cause for autism is not known. Please remember, because of the psychiatric label of autism, a sea of children have experienced a missed medical diagnosis in favor of a label that gives no answer. Many are identified with known medical conditions that explain the presence of autism features, after they have already received the autism label. 

*Switchfoot is on a lot in our house!

Valerie chronicled events with regard to her family's experiences surrounding autism that turned to schizophrenic like psychosis, over a sixteen year period. In "Hello, Dr. Wells" Valerie offers a diverse sample of information via the inclusion of surveys, assessment reports, journal entries, medication evaluations, educational reports and medical reports. These are woven throughout a poignant and sometimes heart wrenching account. Upon Sarah's autism diagnoses at three years of age, Valerie was moved to constantly observe the challenges and remember everything about them. As years passed and complications from worsening autism ensued, observations and memories were written down for the sake of remembrance. Valerie lends poignancy, clarity, tenderness and humor, while also giving useful and realistic glimpses of what autism actually means for many families, educators, and medical professionals.

"Hello, Dr. Wells" is available on the web at no cost. Just Google it.

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Autism Spectrum Disorders and Puberty

Explaining Physical and Emotional Changes

At some stage your child within the Autism Spectrum of Disorders will reach puberty. It can be a difficult time for a child and parents of a child without a disability, and so for a child with a disability like Autism it can be all the more difficult.

How do you go about explaining to an Autistic child who has difficulty in communicating and understanding, about how and why their bodies and feelings are making such a drastic change at puberty? For girls it can be an even greater challenge as they go through major physical changes to which if they don't understand can be a very traumatic event.

Expel Myths and Fears

For some cultures and religious beliefs this can be a very difficult situation as it can be deemed taboo to talk about such subjects, however if you want you and your child to get through this unscathed it is time to put these beliefs away. As a parent or carer of a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder you have to take the approach that you have to prepare the child well in advance of the changes and attempt to make them understand or at least be prepared for what is about to come.

When you look at it in a logical way it is only something natural, it is part of who we are and even though it is considered a very personal matter you must make every attempt to make the child feel comfortable to discuss it. Even for a child without a disability this applies.

Resources and Advice

There are some disability services which can help and or guide with tips and reading material on the best methods for getting the child to understand about puberty, however they differ from state to state and country to country. However always seek out as much information as possible - don't be shy, as it is only a natural part of life, always try to see it that way.

We can speak from experience and pass on information which helped us with our daughter's "puberty blues", and thanks to her mum - Liz and her foresight and no nonsense approach it was not an issue.

Recommended Books

There are three books that we used and can recommend; here are the details:

Secret Girls' Business - by Heather Pritchard, Rose Stewart, Julie Davey and Fay Angelo.More Secret Girls' Business - by Heather Anderson, Fay Angelo and Rose Stewart.Secret Boys' Business - by Heather Pritchard, Rose Stewart, Julie Davey and Fay Angelo.The books aim to:Present a simple brief account of changes to boys and girls at puberty.Celebrate changes to the body.Dispel myths, legends and fears by presenting accurate information in a colorful, friendly format.Promote comfortable discussion.Enhance confidence and self-esteem.Provide hints for parents, teachers and carers.

These books are great for reading to the child, Liz started reading these books to Isy around two years before she was a teenager. Isy's mum also made up some social stories explaining how these changes would affect Isy and what she needed to do when it happened. We also bought some cheap pads and showed Isy how to put them on dolls and dolls underwear so she was comfortable with the idea.

Prepare Autistic Children

The end result was when the time came Isy had no surprises, it was all exactly how she had read about it, had been told about it and was prepared for. She now can look after herself in that respect so the preparation was well worth it.

For boys it's pretty much the same, possibly not as challenging as their situation requires somewhat less however the same principles apply. Preparation and understanding, so when the changes occur they are expecting them and know how to deal with them.

As we always say, with children in the Autism Spectrum of Disorders planning and preparation are the main key factors for everything. You have to give them plenty of time to soak up the information and be comfortable with the outcome.

Hi, my name is Henry, I am Isy Bee's father

My wife and I originally started Isabella's Autism Pages and Isybee Autism web pages to help other parents in similar circumstances, and to give recognition to other people and organisations who have helped them help me.

We hope to cover a lot of ground writing articles and providing information and resources for families and persons affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Please visit our website for more information and resources:

http://isybeeautism.com/ - Autism information and resources.

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