Children With Autism - Proper Tips For Helping Kids With Autism

Before my son was diagnosed with autism we knew he had developmental issues, we began different therapy's very early in his life.

The first was physical therapy (PT) the doctors told us when he was born that he might not walk, so physical therapy was recommended to us to help with this issue. The therapist worked with him to stand holding on to things and then eventually we were watching him take his first steps. I was surprised at how much determination was shown by the therapist and my son, it seemed that the right combination of attitudes had him walking in no time. This was late he was about two and a half by the time we got him steady enough to not hold on and comfortable with taking a few steps on his own.

The next therapy that was helpful for us was occupational therapy, (OT) which seemed very similar to PT to me as a mother because I had never experienced therapy before. The OT would work with him on other areas like his oral fixation with both edible and un edible items. I later found out this is called pica,"a tendency or craving to eat substances other than normal food (such as clay, plaster, or ashes), occurring during childhood or pregnancy, or as a symptom of disease." This definition came from the dictionary. The therapist gave me many suggestions on tools like chewy tubes for him. When he put something like a pencil in his mouth I would replace it with his chewy tube, that way he was getting the input that he needed with a safe item in his mouth. As the years past we had a lot of issues with PICA he would get into our cupboards and find cleaning agents, or in the car he would find the oil for the car, it became very important for us to keep a close eye on his every move to keep him from getting hurt or ill from his actions. For a young child who was not supposed be able to open containers he became very good at taking covers off just about any package he got his hand on.

As he got older we ended up taking him to many different doctors one of which was able to give him the diagnosis of autism. We had been going to therapist before this but when this diagnosis was added speech therapy (ST) was stressed as very important because he is a very non verbal child. ST was a great help for us early in his life because he was not able to let us know his needs, there was a therapist that taught him some sign language, he caught on to it right away. He could tell us he wanted to eat or, when was thirsty, he even learned to tell us when he needed to got potty. As time went on his language developed more and with much work we were able to get him to verbalize his needs which eliminated the use of signs. I still use signs to get him to say what ne wants today. He still understands them and it keeps his speech more on topic and less echolalia.

Echolalia is when he just repeats what we tell him or what was said by some one else. Most of his speech is in this manner or just random things like " want pizza" right after we just ate dinner. With all this going on for all these years he keeps our life interesting. Everyday brings opportunity for advancement, he is now 12 years old, despite the grimm out look we got from doctors at the time of his birth he can walk, talk, and say I LOVE YOU which they said he would never do. Thanks to therapy, mile stones were reached, and when this happens as a mother I always feel, "better late than never". The one last thing that I feel is very important is doing the "homework" the therapist give. In my case they would tell me to work on certain stretches, or certain words with him when at home between therapy sessions. When we returned the next week they could tell we had been working on things at home. As a mother I was doing a good job. I hope this information is helpful for other parents out there who, like me, in the beginning are looking for helpful hints on helping our children who experience autism or special needs.

Check out the web site I created it has many items parents can use to do therapy for autism in your home. These items have been hand picked by me personally as things that I wished I had in the past, or need now for my son. The web site is http://www.autisticintentions.com/ it is a small selection as of now. I will be adding more inventory as I find items that I personally feel will benefit family's like mine who are living with autism and special needs.

Original article

Motivating Autistic Children With a Variety of Activities

For those parents of autistic children, you are probably aware of how to motivate the child by employing a variety of activities. However, if your child has just been diagnosed with Autism you are most likely not aware of this as you may not have had the time yet to educated yourself about how this affects the individual. Children as well as teenagers and adults with Autism have a great deal of difficulty conversing and interacting with others while also having impaired communication skills.

In order to help autistic children develop behavioral, language, and social skills, you have to find ways of motivating them to pay attention and learn from this. The key to developing certain life skills may be an early intervention, but these have become easier to teach thanks to the help of some newer motivational methods that are now available. The following are some suggestions for how to motivate autistic children by employing a variety of activities to accomplish this.

Use play therapy that encourages self-expression, provides a sense of accomplishment, and teaches skills to motivate children with Autism.

Allow autistic children to choose the activity they want to engage in such as dancing or jumping and then be sure that you participate in these activities with them. Keep participating with them in these different activities until they communicate with you spontaneously and make eye contact.

Activites involving scripting or "social stories" should be encouraged as it oftentimes helps the non-verbal child with Autism to become more verbal while learning more appropriate behavioral skills. This also helps to improve their communication skills and has the tendency to decrease social isolation.

Employ positive reinforcement during their learning periods and therapy sessions in order to keep communication going. Praising correct answers or prompting another answer after an incorrect one is an excellent way to motivate them into responding more frequently.

Introduce new drills and tasks while still using familiar ones in order to make learning more fun and interesting. Granted, routine and structure are essential to providing autistic children with a comfort zone and teaching them numerous skills. However, Autism studies have revealed that when tasks are interesting and varied, autistic children are better behaved, give more correct answers, learn quicker, and stay more focused.

Incorporate activities that involve sensory integration. These will decrease or increase the level of sensory stimulation that autistic children receive. When a child with Autism is overwhelmed with sensory input, occupational therapists help them to participate in certain activities that help them to filter the amount of sensory input they are receiving.

Finally, children with Autism can also be motivated by employing music therapy and singing. In some cases, autistic children who cannot speak a single word can sing when they are exposed to tunes with repetitive and simple lyrics or phrases. This actually helps them to develop language skills that are lacking while at the same time helping them to eliminate those monotone speech patterns that are so common with autistic children.

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

Original article

Do Children With Autism Have Other Disorders - Which Are Related? Find Out

Have you ever thought because your child has autism, he or she could have other disorders or difficulties which are related? How would you know if your child is suffering from some other difficulty or disorder? That is an excellent question. Let us find out, if there are some hints or clues, that may be combined or related to autism.

I have learned and experienced, that it can be common for children who have autism, to display and suffer from conditions such as, dyslexia, schizophrenia, ADHD, attachment disorder, and other related disorders.

The question is, how are you going to get a diagnosis that is accurate for your child, to determine if he or she has other disorders,or other difficulties?

First, know your child. If you have concerns or have an inkling something does not seem healthy, balanced, with the behavior of your child, consider having your child diagnosed with a knowledgeable professional. Choose one who knows and understands the disorder of autism and other related disorders that are common to autism.

Second, educate yourself about the symptoms that vary or behaviors that could be suspicious, as a link to another difficulty or disorder that could be related.

For example: Some symptoms that are the most common are dyslexia, schizophrenia, ADHD and attachment disorder.

These symptoms and behaviors might be present in your child who has autism or could be related or interact with the disorder of autism.

DYSLEXIA:

* The individual articulates well, seems to have a difficult time to read, spell and write. These symptoms are apparent when an individual is old enough to learn how to read, spell and write.

* Sometimes the person takes on the appearance of a being dumb, lazy, immature does not comprehend what they are to do, or know how to go ahead and initiate the project.

* Displays a low or poor self-esteem. Feels and acts as though he or she is dumb. Due to this feeling, the individual becomes frustrated while trying to study for tests and gets frustrated about grades.

* Some individuals seem to lose track of time. They space or zone out.

* People with dyslexia seem to learn and pay attention better through visual demonstrations, visual aids, hands-on projects and activities, observations and experimenting.

SCHIZOPHRENIA:

* Social withdrawal.

* Appear to have a gaze that is expressionless.

* They have an inability to share and express sorrow or joy.

* Many have a difficult time to concentrate and they struggle to remember things, because they are forgetful.

* May have delusions.

* Many have hallucinations.

* Display inappropriate laughter or tears.

* Hostility and suspicion is evident.

ADHD:

* Many individuals will take on activities that are dangerous.

* Displays temper tantrums that are extreme and sometimes out of control.

* Shows signs of always being active, restless, has a difficult time settling down, and become difficult even when going to sleep.

* When you are talking to the individual, he or she appears not to be listening.

* Individual may make many mistakes, because he or she is not paying attention to details.

* Disruptive when others are speaking.

* Unable to play quietly. Wants to speak loudly and is rude to others who wants to be quiet.

ATTACHMENT DISORDER:

* They will manipulate others by being charming to people they do not know.

* Will be affectionate to strangers.

* Has a desire that is strong to be in control.

* Become demanding.

* Destructive to self or their property and other individuals.

* Displays values, morals, that are low.

* Many are cruel to animals

* Constantly chattering and asking questions that are silly.

* Show no interest in having friends.

* Learning delays.

* Makes bad choices.

* Fascinated with weapons, fire, evil, blood and gore.

Take action and ave your child diagnosed by a qualified professional, if you feel there may be some of these symptoms or behaviors present. These symptoms can vary with gender, age and the level of autism your child has.

Bonita Darula operates a web sight==> http://www.autismintoawareness.com/ SIGN up to RECEIVE your FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER on current Autistic TOPICS. For example: Possible related disorders, symptoms, behaviors to autism. Order your Autism E-Books to identify symptoms and various treatments listed in your FREE Newsletter for your child and you.

Original article

Autism Symptoms in Infants and Children

According to health officials and medical professionals, the exact causes of the Autism disorder are still unclear although there is considerable agreement that there exists some type of genetic link between the disorder and the afflicted person's genes. There are other variables that could be possible causes such as environmental factors and immune system abnormalities. Regardless, the majority of all health and medical professionals agree that early intervention and diagnosis is still the best course of action to pursue.

Recognizing the early warning signs of the disorder

Past clinical research has demonstrated that the earlier a child is properly diagnosed and a treatment is prescribed, the outcome in the long-run will be considerably better. The following are some of the National Institute of Mental Health's early warning signs:

o In many cases, the child doesn't respond with a joyful facial expression (i.e., smile)

o The child hasn't spoken a single word by the time they are 16 months old

o They appear not to understand how they should play with their toys

o They are not babbling, making meaningful and/or noticeable, or pointing by the time they have reached 12 months of age

o They do not maintain eye contact for any length of time, if they do make it at all

o They haven't started to combine two words together by the time they reach 2 years of age

o They rarely interact with others, sometimes not at all

o They rarely respond to their names,

o They sometimes focus entirely on a single object or toy

o They start losing acquired language and social skills

o They will focus less on critical or important issues, yet they will focus on lining up certain objects or toys

The warning signs mentioned above are the primary indicators of an Autism Spectrum Disorder being present in the individual, although there are other ones to be aware of as well. What you should remember is that there will be numerous explanations for the majority of the warning signs that we have mentioned in the points above.

Early Autism warning signs or symptoms in infants

A number of different clinical studies have revealed the following warning signs and symptoms of Autism being present in infants at certain ages:

o 6 months - absence of smiling

o 9 months - failing to exchange smiles and/or sounds with other individuals

o 1 year - the inability to babble, point at or reach for different objects, or to wave at others nearby them

o 1 year, 4 months - a lack of or a total absence of vocabulary development

o 2 years - inability to create simple phrases (two words)

o Any age - the regression of communication, social, and/or speech skills

During infancy, there may be severe sensory issues to deal with during this period in the child's life including the abnormal reaction to certain sounds, tastes, and touching. Though mild autism can be handled with proper counseling and therapy, but severe autism is difficult.

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

Original article

How to Help Children With Autism Make Transitions

Autism has been classified as a neural development disorder and developmental disability that is characterized by repetitive and restricted behavior patterns as well as impaired communication and social skills. One of the more critical aspects of the disorder that parents of children with Autism are confronted with is transitioning from activity or task to another. The autistic child has a great deal of difficulty with this as it creates anger and confusion for them which oftentimes results in them throwing some hideous tantrums.

Consider the following 6 suggestions for helping your autistic child through these transitions so that it goes as smoothly as possible:

Always plan ahead - make sure that you always have the alarm, hourglass, or timer set up in advance so there is no confusion. You should always insist on consistency whenever babysitters, family members, teachers, or therapists are watching your child. This helps the child to understand the concept better.

Children with Autism need consistency - by using the same amount of warning time and words consistently, the child will have an easier time of adjusting to and understanding the transitions from one activity to the next. The child will also transition easier once they understand exactly what you expect of them.

Employ the reward system - making the transition from the current activity to the next one is extremely difficult for children with Autism. Offer the child some sort of incentive or reward for making a smooth transition between the activities that are on the day's agenda. The reward could be as simple as a favorite activity or one of their favorite foods.

Evaluate difficult situations - if you notice that there is a certain degree of difficulty involving the transition from one activity to the next, you can avoid any major problems (e.g. temper tantrums) by first evaluating the circumstances surrounding the transition. An example of this is a child's refusal or resistance to transitioning between activities due to certain sensory issues that upset the child. Simple accommodations or adjustments can help to correct this.

Invest in a timer if you don't have one - make sure that you purchase one that your autistic child will have an easier time of understanding when they should change the activity they are engaged in. If the child is younger an hourglass or sand timer may be easier for them to comprehend whereas an older child might be able to handle a digital clock alarm.

Respect the child's need for being warned - it is extremely difficult for children with Autism to move from one activity to the next especially if they are deeply engaged in the current activity. It's going to take a considerable amount of time and all the patience you can muster to teach them how to transition between activities. If you gently warn them that a change is coming, it will make it easier for the child to make that transition.

Remember that the goal here is to not only make transitioning easier for any children with Autism but to make them understand why it is necessary as well. Things will go a lot smoother for you overall.

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

Original article

A Look at When ADHD and Autism Strike Simultaneously in Preadolescent Children

Millions of parents have heard about ADHD and autism, and they are aware of some of the signs and symptoms a parent should be on the lookout for. Perhaps their own kids have been diagnosed with one of these disorders, or perhaps they have friends who have an ADHD child. What many people do not realize however is that a child can have both of these disorders simultaneously.

In fact, the number of American children with ADHD and autism has been steadily rising, and it's been rising quickly enough to have warranted further research funding by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Just recently, the NIMH awarded an additional three million dollars to a team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in order to conduct further studies regarding treatment for autistic children who also have symptoms of ADHD.

As any psychiatrist or child psychologist will attest to, ADHD symptoms can be extremely similar to the symptoms of autism. Autistic children who also have ADHD are often only treated for one of these disorders. The problem with this type of approach is that kids who have both these disorders rarely respond well to regular ADHD stimulant drugs, and this is actually what often alerts a specialist in the first place, that a child might have both disorders.

In the study mentioned above, researchers recruited 144 children between the ages of five and thirteen in order to carry out a safety assessment of two types of treatment:

* Atomoxetine (non-stimulant norepinephrine uptake inhibitor)

* PMT (Parental Management Training)

The results of the study were quite promising, at least in terms of safety. Prior to 2002 when atomoxetine was first approved by the FDA (Food and Drug administration), stimulant drugs were the order of the day, and used almost exclusively for treating these types of disorders. Unfortunately however, the most commonly prescribed stimulant drug has been linked to several deaths; it's known to be highly addictive (the DEA has it in the same class as cocaine and morphine), and it has a mile long list of possible side effects, many of which are extremely serious, such as suicidal tendencies for example. The biggest downside to atomoxetine is the fact that it alters brainwave activity, as do stimulant drugs, and this is exactly the type of thing many parents are hoping to avoid.

Parental Management Training aims to teach parents how to intervene in undesirable behavior, but in a positive way, rather than in a disciplinary manner. While this is of course the best possible form of treatment, it's simply not suitable in all cases for a number of reasons. To begin, in many households, both parents work, and therefore they aren't able to invest the necessary amount of time. Also, many parents simply don't have the amount of patience this type of treatment calls for. In order to treat a child using this form of treatment, one quite literally needs to have the patience of a saint.

It seems, at least for the time being, that the natural homeopathic remedies are still one of the best choices parents have for treating ADHD and autism. This is especially true if, like millions of others, they don't want their kids taking powerful mind altering stimulant drugs.

If you desire useful information on adhd and autism I invite you to visit my website at: http://www.adhd-treatment-info.com/. Not only can you really tackle the issue of ADHD but you will also discover very effective natural homeopathic remedies to help your child. Brought to you by V K Rajagopalan, strongly advocating Natural Healthy Living.

Original article

Children Who Are Victims of Autism Can Profit From Specialist Education

What is Autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability disorder of neural development, which is characterised by impaired social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviour. It affects the information processing in the brain, simply by altering how the nerve cells connect and organise. Some people who have autism will be unable to live a relatively independent life whilst others may have accompanying learning disabilities that will need a lifetime of specialist support. Those people who suffer from autism may also experience over or under sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, lights and colours.

Parents with children who suffer from autism may find this hard to understand, but they need to realise that they are not alone. The research from National Autistic Society suggests that there are over 500,000 people with autism in the UK (1 in 100), and over 2 million people are affected by autism every single day. It is perfectly fine for your child to grow up with the chance of living of relatively normal childhood. At the same time, it is very important to consult with the experts to understand what services are available to help.

Autism and Education

As children grow up, one of the most important factors in this development is the child's education. By having the right support in the early years can make a huge difference to children and young people with autism. We are guilty of taking our education system for granted, but for a child who suffers from autism, the process of education can be a completely different challenge.

As autism is being more widely recognised throughout the country, there are specialist schools available. The aim of these schools will allow your child to feel more comfortable in their overall surroundings, class mates and most importantly, they will have the chance to be educated by experienced people who understand Autism as well as the needs of the sufferers.

The specialist schools are not operated by the teachers. They are also run by the specially trained teachers, residential carers, learning support assistants and therapists. These highly trained people work closely with parents in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for the development for the child.

It is not uncommon for children to have different levels of autism. With this in mind, it is highly important that the people, who are in charge of the education of these children with autism, will be fully aware of how to react to the different children that attend. Through experience, a valid strategy will be in place for each child. It will outline the process for each child to guarantee that they receive the maximum benefits coming from their education.

Those children who suffer from autism tend to have a lack of confidence. In attending a specialist school, whose primary focus is on the needs of the autistic child, they will be able to take part in activities that can assist them to interacting with people. These exercises will help them to become more confident in their abilities and to respond to scenarios that are a part of growing up in today's society.

The specialist education that autism sufferers receive will be of great benefit for the development of their future. The care, attention and the understanding will not be provided in a normal school, as the aim of is to provide pupils with a curriculum based education. This has been proven in many cases that this idea does not work for autistic children.

There are many sufferers of autism in the UK and the best way is to spot the signs early, such as a difficulty in relating to others or making friends for example. The specialist autism schools are in place for children with autism to provide them with a solid foundation and framework for the benefit of their future developments. This is to help their learning such as adapting to real life situations, able to interact with likeminded children and preparing them for the conditions in the real world.

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

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/

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.

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Choosing Good Toys For Low-Functioning Autistic Children

Children are diagnosed as growing up with low-functioning autism based on the intensity of symptoms and results from intelligence tests. What does this mean exactly for the mother or father who wants to purchase the appropriate toys for these schoolchildren? It means that children with low-functioning autism are more likely to display one or more of the following behaviors:

An inability to articulate themselves using language or to comprehend languageAn inability to live without assistance from othersAn inability to use normal nonverbal gestures used for communicationAvoids eye contactHas a preference for being solitaryLacks physical coordinationEither a strong sensitivity to sensory stimulation, or a lack of sensitivity to such stimulation (sounds, lights, touch, tastes, odors)Emotions flip-flop to extremes, such as breaking down seemingly without reason.Very rashVery combativeMay like to self-injurePhysical manifestations, such as being below their peer group in weight and statureLags other children in their age range academically

Because of these symptoms, choosing an appropriate toy for kids with low-functioning autism is especially difficult. Even though high-functioning autistic kids may play and learn well with age-appropriate toys, low-functioning autistics may require toys designed for children below their age group, meaning toys that pose no safety hazards and are easier to comprehend.

Characteristics of Good Toys

Low-functioning autistic children have struggles expressing themselves verbally, which prevents them from communicating with others with ease and forces them to spend most of their time in solitary activities. They are therefore inclined to gravitate towards toys that allow them to play alone and become familiar with such toys. But if these toys can also be used for playing with others, you may have an easier time getting them to use the toy as a way to communicate with others.

Because of their emotional extremes and the risk that they might show aggression towards others or themselves, you will want toys that are safe to play with and won't lead to risk of injuring others. (This means don't choose toys that shoot missiles!)

Finally, toys that help them improve their motor abilities will be crucial during their youth because this is an important period for motor development.

Specific Toy Suggestions

The most appropriate toys are those that capture the interest of babies and toddlers because low-functioning autistic children operate at a level several years below other children of their age.

For alone-play toys that can also be played with others and are safe, a good choice may be cloth hand puppets, such as those made by Melissa and Doug. Melissa and Doug manufactured a variety of low-cost ($10-$20) hand puppets that range from dragons to princesses. Something to be careful about is the wooden dowel that comes with the puppet for use in manipulating the arm. You can easily detach this from the puppet if you are afraid that it might cause safety issues.

Creation sets for young children are also an appropriate selection for toys that can be played alone as well as with adults. Duplo (the young child's version of Lego) is a typical choice, as well as a variety of toddler stacking toys such as the Fisher-Price Little Superstar Classical Stacker. These toys generally run $20-40.

Wooden Puzzles are also good, safe options for solitary and adult time play activities. Again, Melissa and Doug is an appropriate option for these toys since they are inexpensive, pleasing to the eye, and safe for young kids.

Finally, soft balls marketed for toddlers are good choices for use in developing motor skills. The best way to make use of such toys is to work with the child in catch and throw games, which will develop manual dexterity. Plush balls are great options, and you should stay away from foam balls such as those made by Nerf since a child could easily ingest bits of the foam.

Thanks for reading this article, and I hope it helps you in your search! Another article that is useful may be one about shopping for autism toys.

Original article

Do Children With Autism Have Varying Degrees With Their Senses?

I want to learn out of curiosity, if children with autism have varying degrees with their senses. How would I determine the answer to my curiosity? Can it be done with all of the five senses that we have, for it to be accomplished?

What about the senses of smell, touch, and taste? They are just as important to us, as to what we see, hear and how we express ourselves.

I believe there are varying degrees individuals have, with autism. For example: To learn and express their senses. They may have difficulty understanding what their senses mean or what to do with their senses. There may be some correlation in this area, that could be considered to be dysfunctional in their behavior.

I have observed, some children who have the disorder of autism, are extremely sensitive to bright lights, texture, touch, certain sounds, loud, soft and high-pitched noises. In addition, to some smells and odors.

Therefore, I have observed some people with autism, have varying degrees with other senses, such as tastes, colors and flashing images.

Learning could be a challenge for autistic children, because of their varying degrees of trying to understand how they react to their senses and what they are expressing or trying to express through their senses, compared to other people who do not have autism.

I was in a classroom recently, that was teaching autistic children. I noticed, one child, put his head down between his knees and plugged his ears with his hands, to protect himself from hearing the noise, when an airplane flew over the classroom.

I noticed later, how this same child was struggling, when he was around a group of children that were noisy and participating in a game outside the classroom.

I approached the teacher, with a question to determine if this particular child, would be able to over come his fear of noise. If this was an option, will he do better in learning?

I continued my observation of another child who was using clay to construct and create an object. I noticed, she became oversensitive to the touch.

There were moments, she did not want to put the clay back on the table, because she felt the touch of it was a stimulus. Later, her actions indicated to throw the clay on the floor. I could see anger and frustration in her face.

Take interest in the senses of your child who have autism. Gather information about how he or she. is communicating through these senses.

What senses are shown to be strong? For example: Is touch, smell, noises, watching various objects, because of the color or movements, appear to be a strength? What is your child expressing with these varying degrees of senses? Does bright or flickering lights, create another area that your child might be expressing for his or her senses?

Bonita Darula's informational web sight==> http://www.autismintoawareness.com/ Take action and SIGN up to RECEIVE your FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER on Autistic TOPICS. For example: Senses of varying degrees, because you're autistic? Order your E-Books to identify symptoms of Autism.

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About Autistic Children

When tests for Autism are first being considered, this typically involves the use of a pre-developed checklist or screening, rather than a blood test, in order to determine if Autism is present. Despite the fact that the majority of the pediatricians that are available today will help care for autistic children, it was only recently that they reported performing routine screenings for the disorder.

Since the "Identification and Evaluation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders" clinical report was published in 2007 by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), the hope is that more pediatricians will include screening for the disorder when infant care commences. Additionally, it is recommended that once this is established that they will continue routine screenings in all ensuing examinations.

There were three recommendations that the publication mentioned regarding Autistic children including:

o Conduct routine surveillance for autism spectrum disorders at every follow-up, well-child visit, including searching for any subtle signs of the disorder.

o Screen the child for autism using a specific or targeted screening checklist when they reach 18 years of age and again at 24 months.

o Schedule special appointments anytime you have any concerns about autism that you may have as a responsible parent would do.

Most importantly is the fact that the AAP highly recommends that all pediatricians send children for a comprehensive evaluation if the screening test results are positive. You might consider a hearing test as well as one of the warning signs is that the child either cannot hear you or appears to be ignoring what you say and not reacting normally.

The signs and symptoms exhibited by autistic children

When it comes to the early warning signs and symptoms of Autism in children, there are three distinctive behavior patterns evident when the disorder is present. They include:

o difficulties with communication and social interaction
o problems with either non-verbal or verbal communication
o repetitive behavior patterns
o narrow or extremely obsessive interests

Additionally, the impact of these warning signs and symptoms can range from very mild or slight to extremely severe and nearly disabling.

Regardless of the above, it is the inability to communicate effectively and engage in any social interaction that is considered the most prolific feature. Additionally, it is normally the parents that start seeing these warning signs and symbols. They will start seeing the child display abnormal behavior, even as early as the infancy stage. This includes being unresponsive to those around them or obsessively focusing on a single object or toy.

Additionally, a child may appear to be developing normally and then suddenly withdraw from any social interaction or be ambivalent of or indifferent to what is going on around them. Autistic children may also fail to respond to calling their names or will avoid making eye contact or maintaining it for any normal length of time. Finally, they usually cannot understand specific social clues which makes it difficult for them to interpret what others feel or think. This includes certain facial expressions and tone of voice.

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

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How to Manage Autism Symptoms in Children - A Parent's Guide

Children, in one way or another, have to some extent deficiencies in their social skills and may even exhibit odd behaviors different from their playmates. While these tendencies are quite normal circumstances for some children, repetitive actions may be more likely linked to a developmental disorder. This is what medical science calls autism. Children with autism suffer from lagging development in their behavior, social skills, and communication. Almost all symptoms of autism revolve around communication difficulties. Autistic children may display developmental delays most especially in language and learning. They oftentimes show out-of-order learning sequences like being able to understand complex ideas first before understanding the simple ones. An autistic child may also have poor, social interaction. The child may become withdrawn from people, even from his own parents and siblings. The child may act as if he is in his own world, like preferring to play all by himself. His verbal and nonverbal communication is also affected. One hallmark symptom of a child with autism is doing repetitive movements like spinning, hand flapping, and rocking. He may even exhibit aggressive behavior once frustrated. Understanding these symptoms can help the parents and caregivers to find ways on how to intervene and handle a child with autism.

An autistic child lacks social interaction skills; thus, frequently establishing a conversation may help. At the start, initiating a conversation with an autistic child may seem not easy. An autistic child will either give short replies or no response at all. Make frequent conversations with the child even though the child won't answer back. Show the child that you are patient enough to wait for him. Patience is highly needed when working with children with autism. Set a physical distance if the child seemed agitated by your presence. Give him some space before slowly approaching. When talking to the child, do not tower over him. Sit down and talk because sometimes the adult's height may intimidate an autistic child. Children with autism may develop a lack of trust with other people. Minimize the chances of the child isolating himself. Take him somewhere where he can play with others like the park or playground. Sometimes ungranted wishes may lead to temper tantrums and even aggression. Be consistent with the child. Provide positive reinforcement or rewards like toys when the child shows desired behaviors. Medications like Risperidone are also helpful in managing irritability and aggressiveness. In instances when the child displays bizarre and repetitive actions like head banging, provide safety like letting him wear a helmet to protect himself from undue injury.

Consequently, an autistic child may display odd behaviors and temper tantrums most of the time. It is important that the parents have a lot of knowledge about their child's condition including its symptoms and severity. It is also advisable that the parents seek medical advice regarding their child's health status and be actively involved in giving care to the child. Show him the unconditional love a child deserves to have from his parents. Reward him with hugs and kisses to show he is loved and secure. Foremost, treat the child with autism as a whole being. Do not let the child's condition hinder you from realizing he is a young child with a unique personality.

For more information on Different Types of Diseases, Symptoms and Diagnoses, Please visit: Autism Diagnosis and Symptoms of Autism.

Original article

Why Respite Care Is Essential for Both You and Your Children

Respite care homes provide temporary relief for those who are caring for a family member who is in need of constant care due to special needs such as a physical or mental disability. For many parents or guardians of special needs children, the thought of sending them into care is a last resort, especially with the appalling treatment of residents at one care home in Bristol which were highlighted on BBC TV's Panorama programme recently. However it must be pointed out that cases such as this are an extreme minority, with the majority of care homes providing an excellent level of care with dedicated, hard working and enthusiastic staff who all realise the importance of their role in the lives of those they care for.

Respite care is designed to give the full time carers of those with a physical, mental or learning disability a rest period where they can take some time to themselves. The vast majority of carers are unpaid, often having to give up paid employment in order to care for their loved ones. Their working schedule is often 24/7 and can be both physically and mentally demanding. This hectic schedule gives little opportunity for time off and can lead to increased stress for the carer as they simply do not get the chance to relax.

Respite care is also highly important for the recipient of care too, as the opportunity to spend a few days in different surroundings, with like minded individuals under the supervision of dedicated and professional carers is an opportunity to make new friends and broaden their horizon. Such care homes often provide a variety of activities for people with a broad range of special needs. These could be simple activities such as gardening, music or art workshops to spending time in a dedicated sensory or activity room, something they wouldn't have access to at home. Many respite care homes specialise is a specific area of care such as care homes for physical disability, epilepsy care homes, autism care homes and sometimes respite care can even be provided in your own home.

If you're a carer for a child with a physical or learning disability than it's perfectly understandable that you may not be too keen on the idea of sending them away for a few days. Many autistic children have their comfort zone which they don't like to step outside of, and similarly so does the carer. However specialist autism care homes are aware of this and provide a variety of 'ease in' methods such as spending an afternoon at the home, before maybe staying for a single night which helps them acclimatise (for want of a better term) before spending a full weekend or week at a care home. This 'getting to know you' approach gives peace of mind to all parties involved; those in need of care, their full time carers and the care staff.

Soldiering on regardless without giving yourself a break from time to time is not fair on you or your loved one. You both deserve a break from the norm and sending a child with special needs for a few days away at dedicated homes there is not a sign of failure or weakness. In fact all children and adults need time on their own, regardless of whether they suffer from a disability or not as it's a natural part of growing up. Respite care is a gift, one which you both deserve.

Carl Liver

If you want advice on Special Needs? Then make sure you contact us as we will have all the information you need on Special Needs.

Original article

Ways To Help Children With Autism

When a child has been diagnosed with autism there are many characteristics of autism that children may display. Children with autism do not demonstrate the same symptoms as the other so it's important to recognize every symptoms in case there are just one of the symptoms recognized.

Children with autism may not act as though anything is wrong until after the age of two when the child development stages are not noticed. By the age of two, children usually display many different signs that show they are progressing well. However children with autism may show one of the following symptoms:

Cannot smile and return a smile when you smile at them. This can occur anywhere from age six months and up. They cannot mimic sounds and facial expressions. This is usually noticeable by the age of nine months however if the child doesn't mimic your facial expressions or sounds by the age of two there may be a problem.

Children with autism cannot talk by the age of sixteen months of age. If a child said something at first but then quite talking then this may also be a sign of autism. The child cannot point, reach, wave, or show you something by the age of one year old.

Parents and child care providers may notice that a child is not responding in as early as a year old but may decide to wait until the child turns two before worrying about it. When the doctor is notified that the parents and or child care giver has noticed a problem, they may order further testing to rule out other types of disabilities.

When children with autism interact with other children, they do not want to play with others, mimic others, or share toys with others. They simply focus on one part of a toy, usually something that goes around or runs, and will not play with any toys other than that one. They will not share that toy with others either.

Children with autism will need to be placed on medications to control the behavioral outbursts as well as other medication depending on what the doctor decides to do.

It's important that parents of children with autism learn all they can about the condition and learn how to help their child handle activities of daily living. When you work together as a family, children with autism tend to display less symptoms than those who do not have a complete support team. Everyone involved in that child's life should be a part of their care.

Children with autism like to have a routine that doesn't change in any way. A simple change is something that upsets them and therefore you should create a schedule that does allow some freeway in schedule changing. Don't jam pack their schedule so they do not have an opportunity to change anything. Take charge of your child's schedule and don't allow anyone to change the schedule without first checking with you. Children with autism can lead a happy life surrounded by those who love and care for them.

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

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