Knowledge About Early Signs of Autism

Whether you're new parents that have just had their first child or you have recently added one more sibling to the family group, at some point in time, being concerned about Autism may have crossed your mind. Roughly one out of every 150 infants that are born today is autistic, so it is imperative that the disorder be detected early in order to treat it properly. If you are unfamiliar with the disorder, it is important to educate yourself about it and learn about the early signs of Autism.

First and foremost, Autism is a neural development disorder that is characterized by the impairment of communication, language skills, and social interaction as well as repetitive or restricted behavior patterns. In most cases, these different characteristics appear by the time the child has reached three years of age. Autism affects how the brain processes information by altering the way that the nerve cells connect with and organize the synapses.

It is one of three different types of Autism disorders found on what is referred to as the Autism spectrum. The other two are Asperger's Syndrome where cognitive development and language skills are lacking and PDD-NOS or Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified. This disorder is usually diagnosed should the criteria involved in the diagnosis for either Autism or Asperger's Syndrome not be met.

What to look for

What you want to remember above everything else when you are concerned about the possibility of your infant being autistic is that recognizing the early signs of Autism may be the difference between diagnosing the disorder properly and missing it completely. The earlier the disorder is diagnosed, the sooner you can start treatment and increase your chances of having a better outcome for both you and your child.

Early detection of Autism is critical so the sooner you educate yourself about the warning signs, the better. Here are some basic suggestions for recognizing the early signs of the disorder based on what the child should have accomplished by a certain time in their early development:

o By the time your child is 6 months old, they should be smiling whenever they are delighted or feel joy for one reason or another.

o Mimicking facial expressions, vocal intonations, and words should be evident by the time your child is 10 months old.

o Once the child has reached two years of age, they should be talking and should have at least several words in their ever-growing vocabulary.

Remember that the child may only exhibit one of the early signs of Autism. Even if all the symptoms are not being exhibited, your child may still be diagnosed as autistic. One way or the other, you should take your child to their pediatrician to determine if further testing for the disorder may be necessary. Diagnosing the disorder as early as possible in the child's development is critical and could mean treating it sooner that you can prevent complications and avoid more additional negative consequences.

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

Original article

Know And Recogonize The Signs of Autism

Autism is getting a lot of attention today due to the fact that there are so many cases of the disorder that are currently on record. The disorder affects many families worldwide and is growing in numbers. What causes autism is still unclear, but it is important that you recognize the signs of it and what signs of the disorder that could be mistaken for ADHD and ADD apart from other behavioral problems.

It is very important to recognize the signs of the disorder early on in order to properly diagnose it and recommend a treatment for your child. Whether you have one child or five that is afflicted with autism, each one of them may act differently. Here are a few signs of autism to be aware of in order to detect it early in your child's development.

There are numerous developmental milestones that occur with children as they grow up. With the onset of autism, it becomes difficult for these milestones to be an accurate guide for children. Children can begin showing signs of autism as early as infancy and diagnosis may not occur until they are two years old. Each child still develops at their own pace, but it is important that the developmental milestones are followed as closely as possible.

Some warning signs that your child may be developing autism include:

* The child cannot point at objects they want you to look at. They cannot grasp a bottle or any other object.

* The child is not able to speak by the age of sixteen months. They should be able to speak a single word by the age of sixteen months and put two words together by twenty-four months. If a child begins talking and then suddenly stops, this could also be a sign of autism.

* A child may not be able to make eye contact with anyone. They may prefer to look away when you try to talk with them face to face.

* The child will not play with any toys or they may play with only one toy excessively. They may not be able to smile or show facial expressions of joy.

It's important to remember that when a child has autism, they do not demonstrate the exact symptoms of autism that other children have displayed. Each autistic child reacts differently to this condition and while some may exhibit all the symptoms, others may display only a few. These symptoms may range from mild to severe. Just because a sibling displays moderate to severe symptoms of autism, it doesn't mean that other siblings will also have the same symptoms.

If you suspect that your child is not developing properly you need to speak with your child's pediatrician or family physician to discuss your concerns. Make sure that you monitor your child's condition throughout their early years. Children with mild autism have been known to live a fairly normal life, but those with advanced autism have a difficult time coping with the world around them. There have been instances when some autistic individuals have shown amazing capabilities with art, creativity, and musical talents.

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

Original article

Identifying Early Signs of Autism

Autism symptoms are considered to begin to present themselves at the age of six months. This does not mean that it is not present before this. Autism is a developmental disorder that children are born with. It affects the development and growth of the brain. Unfortunately, it really isn't noticed until around six months of age because this is when the signs are most noticeable. At this age a child should begin to interact more outward to his/her environment. He will begin to smile and react to stimuli in around the area. A lack of this interaction is one of the first early signs of autism.

By the age of nine months a child should begin to proactively interact with his/her parents. He/she will babble at them, point at things, and return their smiles. The lack of this interaction with the parents is another early sign of autism. At one year of age a child should be crawling, pulling himself up on things and working towards walking unheeded if he/she is not already. The child should be saying a word or two and be able to somewhat communicate with his/her parents about what they want or need.

Definitive signs of autism will have set in by two to three years of age. This means by the age of one, if autism is the cause of your child's developmental delays you will be noticing a great difference in his/her emotional and cognitive patterns. The young child may appear not affectionate, slow, and inattentive. He/she can seem stubborn and willful; mostly this is caused because of their need to stick to a strict schedule, one that they feel comfortable with. By the time your child reaches the age of one, you will probably already be fully aware of his/her developmental disorder. In fact, a doctor should already have been consulted and a treatment method discussed.

Your child's pediatrician will ask specific questions about his/her development at the regular checkups throughout their infancy and toddler years. The doctor will be able to detect early signs of autism and let you know what you should be aware of. Treatment should not be thought of as a cure. A child, who has autism or any of the disorders falling in that spectrum, is faced with dealing with them for a lifetime. Treatment is focused on developing within the child the necessary skills he/she will need to live a comfortable life, at least as normal as possible. Depending on the severity of the child's symptoms he/she may or may not need supervision and care for the rest of their life. This is something your doctor will discuss with you as well. The sooner you set up a plan of action the easier it will be to fall into that routine for everyone.

Just because your child is developing at a slower rate than his/her peers does not necessarily mean he/she has autism. Be aware of the early signs of autism if your child's development is a concern for you. But don't overstress yourself about it. Simply keep an eye on how your son/daughter is developing and consult with his/her pediatrician if any concerns arise.

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

Original article

Categories of Autism Signs

Autism is a common psychological condition and neurological development disorder that typically affects a child's social communication and interaction skills as well as being characterized by repetitive or restrictive behavior. Autism alters or changes how the nerve cell synapses connect and organize, therefore affecting the information processing capabilities of the brain. Unfortunately, Autism research still has not discovered how and why this occurs.

Autism signs will typically manifest themselves in three critical areas of an individual's development - behavioral, lingual, and social. Interestingly enough, no two children are alike when it comes to actions and skill levels even when they are diagnosed with the same type of Autism. Though the real reasons is still not obvious how children with the same level of autism display different characterized behavior pattern but symptoms and autism signs differ. Maybe the family patterns of behavior, genetic factors and environmental issues lead to the differences. However, research is being conducted to know more about the inner working of an autistic individual.

Although the different patterns of behavior are broadly similar, they can be put together under three main headings of autism signs of behavior, development milestones and social patterns of behavior. Autistic children seem to be easily disturbed by the slightest change of their normal routine, tend to flap hands, rocking, spinning, and other repetitive movements, light, sound, and touch sensitivities despite seeming nearly oblivious to pain and are extremely restless.

Autistic signs are apparent in the emotional development of the children. Developmental milestones are delayed up to 2½ years. Most of these children do not start talking or make eye contact until 2 years of age. They have no concept of a conversation. Most of them repeat phrases and words without understanding their meaning. Robot-like speech or a sing-song voice when communicating is noticed. Sometimes children regress and there is noticeable loss of previously acquired abilities such as saying certain words or speaking in complete sentences.

However there are social signs and aspect which are visible such as appearing to be unaware of other children's or another individual's feelings, poor eye contact, resisting any form of affection such as cuddling, and hugs are not particularly enjoyed. They prefer to play by themselves.

However, most of these Autism signs are common ones that you want to look for if you suspect that your child is suffering with the disorder. The more severe cases involve the complete inability to communicate or interact with other individuals. Additionally, some signs appear as early as infancy, but in other children who appear to be normal during the first few months of their lives, suddenly change without warning.

Autism signs will typically appear between the time the child has reached the age of 18 months up until they reach three years of age. Additionally, there are two other forms of the disorder in the Autism spectrum, specifically Asperger syndrome and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified). The bottom line is that the genetics of Autism are extremely complex.

Though there is no cure of autism, research aspects are going on to find a cure but as most of the issues are genetic, the race is on. Children receiving the treatment and behavioral therapy early in life are finding a better chance of being rehabilitated.

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

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

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

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

The Warning Signs of Autism in Infants

Although the exact cause of Autism still remains somewhat of a mystery, most doctors and other health professionals that there is some type of genetic link between the disorder and genetics. Additionally, there are other variables that are possible causes such as abnormalities with the child's immune system and contributing environmental factors.

Although the cause of the disorder remains unknown or speculative at best, major medical advancements have been made in the past decade where the management of treatment of the disorder are concerned. However, most medical professionals agree that the best course of action is early intervention and diagnosis.

Autism's early warning signs and symptoms

The following information has resulted from a number of different studies that were conducted in order to discover some of the early warning signs and symptoms of Autism in the infancy stage of the child's life. The following are what you should look for and by what age these should be apparent:

- the absence of smiling or other positive facial expressions by 6 months of age

- failing to exchange smiles and sounds with others by 9 months of age

- the inability to babble, wave, point and/or reach for different objects,, by 12 months of age

- the lack of or total absence of any vocabulary development by 16 months of age

- the inability to create basic two-word phrases by 24 months of age

- a regression of communicative, social, and speech skills at any age

There may also be noticeably, severe sensory issues during their infancy that you should look for such as an abnormal reaction to certain sounds or tastes and touching.

Early intervention and treatment

If these signs or symptoms mentioned in the preceding section appear early on, you don't want to delay or procrastinate about this. You should talk with your pediatrician and maybe even a neurologist or psychiatrist/psychologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism. While the infant is being observed, the parents will most likely be interviewed to see if the diagnosis of Autism is accurate. The doctor may also order for the infant to receive a hearing test and an MRI.

Additionally, if there are communication, language, and social issues that are apparent, the doctor may also recommend a speech pathology evaluation. Once all of these variables have been evaluated, clinicians and other doctors may get involved in order to develop some type of educational intervention program for the afflicted infant. The most important treatment for Autism involves teaching the infant or the child how to communicate and interact socially successfully with others around them.

Beware of the misconceptions

No two children or infants are ever alike in the manner that Autism affects them. Symptoms of the disorder can range from mild or slight to extremely severe. The common misconception to be aware of is that every child or infant with Autism does not display any emotional response such as smiling at others. For instance, this may not be an issue whereas other children may smile but have serious linguistic or sensory issues.

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

Signs of Autism to Look For

Does your child have autism? Do you know how you can tell? It's not easy to diagnose autism and even if you were provided with a list of signs of autism it may still be difficult to determine because not all children have the same symptoms of autism.

Autism is a brain disorder that effects the way that a child's brain develops from the age of infancy to around the age of two. Everyone who plays a role in the child's care may notice something different while others notice no changes at all.

Does your child seem like a simple touch of your hand hurts them? This is just one of the many symptoms of autism. Children with autism have abnormal sensory stimuli which mean that they do not respond to a simple touch or hug like others would. Sometimes a certain smell may trigger different behaviors that may affect the way that a child acts. One minute, they may be sitting down in the floor playing with toys and then a smell may make them become irritated and unable to control their emotions. These are just two of the most common signs of autism.

Other signs of autism

While the list of symptoms of autism increases while more cases of autism are becoming well known some signals of autism are more common than others. These include not responding to others when their name is called, not showing affection, doesn't seem interested in pointing things out to others, doesn't have an interest in toys however they may focus on a part of a toy, and prefers to play by themselves.

Other signs may include frequent outbursts, may become attached to certain objects, cannot make eye contact, and doesn't show fears. Depending on your child's age, the signs of autism may or may not be severe. As your child begins to mature and grow through adolescence and then eventually into adulthood, you and your child may notice a more controlled behavioral pattern.

Signs of autism may also be signs of other conditions because you don't see all of these symptoms at one time. Sometimes a child will only demonstrate one sign and others may demonstrate several symptoms of autism. That is because each child is different and should be treated as such.

Once your child has been diagnosed, you and your child can begin to address the symptoms and learn to live with it. You will be able to call the doctor and address concerns, report any changes in behavior, and ask questions that you may have. You can also find counseling services offered locally and online because more and more children are being diagnosed with autism each year creating more of a need for counseling and advice. Record all your thoughts, experiences, and information down in a notebook so you can reflect back on it later on when you finally learn to live with the signs of autism

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

Signs of Autism in Toddlers

I believe that each child deserves the chance to be the best he or she can be. Some children, such as those diagnosed with autism, may need some additional care in order to achieve their absolute best. Early intervention can be a miracle worker, thus the sooner it is started the better.

The average age that autism is diagnosed is currently around three years old. Even though there are some indicators of the presence of autism before this age, this is the time in the child's life in which autism can be reliably detected. Just like every child on this planet is unique, there are no two cases of autism that are identical.

Now, this list is not all-inclusive by any stretch of the imagination, but here are a few signs of autism in toddlers that have consistently been present in those diagnosed with autism:

Doesn't follow directions. I am not talking about the occasional tantrum in which a child refuses to do what it is asked to do. This is more along the lines of "Jimmy, please throw your paper towel in the trash; take your plate and silverware to the sink; lastly, wash and dry your hands." If your child repeatedly has trouble following directions, it could be a symptom of autism.
Doesn't make eye contact. When your child looks at you or others, can you tell there is recognition in their eyes? Or do they appear to look right "through" you?
Loses motor control when excited. When you child is excited, do they flap their arms wildly, or shake violently?
Will only eat a select few foods. Some kids are just naturally picky eaters. However, do your child only eat 4-5 different foods and refuses to try anything new?
Does not smile when smile at. Even when it is just mimicking behavior, most children will smile back when smiled at.
Stays in imaginary play. Imagination is encouraged with all children. Those with autism tend to play in "their own little world." Often, even when others are playing around them a child with autism will not notice for hours at a time.
Change in routine/plan causes panic. Does you bundle of joy get anxious or upset if things do not progress normally? If you say you are going home from the grocery store, but stop at the post office first will it cause problems? Could suggesting a change in routine, such as combing hair before brushing teeth, cause a melt-down?
Regression in any area of development. Could your child talk in complete sentences, yet now only uses one word at a time or babbles? Where they able to hop on one foot, but can no longer? Any backtracking among the developmental standards can be a sign of autism in toddlers.

These are just a few of the red flags that you as a parent or caregiver can look for. Keep in mind, no one knows your little one as well as you-if you suspect even for a second that your child may have autism, please have them screened by a professional ASAP. As stated previously, I believe that early intervention can make all the difference in the world.

Chad is an autism advocate that believes firmly in the power of early intervention. The sooner you can get services started for you child the better. For more information on spotting the signs of autism look at the following:

http://eautismsigns.com/
http://eautismsigns.com/autism-signs/autism-signs-age-one-through-three/

Original article

Autism Signs to Watch For

According to numerous medical sources, Autism is a neural development disorder which is typically characterized by the impairment of social communication and interaction as well as repetitive or restrictive behavior. Typically, the signs that Autism is present occur between the ages of 18 months and three years. Although Autism's genetics are extremely complex, it displays a strong basis in genetics.

The disorder affects the information processing capabilities of the brain by altering or changing how the synapses of nerve cells connect and then organize themselves. However, it is not completely understood how and why this occurs. There are two other forms of Autism that are recognized in the spectrum of the condition, namely Asperger syndrome and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified).

Autism signs that are characteristic of the disorder

Autistic children typically have difficulties in three critical areas of their development - behavioral, lingual, and social. Interestingly enough, two children with similar diagnoses may display different actions and different skill levels. Here is a breakdown of the three developmental areas that are Autism signs to be aware of:

Behavioral warning signs include:

o constant movement and never keeping still
o constant repetitive movements such as hand-flapping, rocking, and spinning
o despite being almost oblivious to pain, there is an unusual sensitivity to light, sound, and touch
o parts of an object, such as a toy car's spinning wheels, fascinate them and hold their attention for long periods of time
o specific rituals or routines are developed early on
o the slightest change in common routines or rituals disturbs them

Lingual warning signs include:

o beginning to talk later than 2 years of age while other developmental issues are delayed by up to 2½ years
o cannot start conversing or keep a conversation going
o does not make eye contact whenever the child is making requests
o loss of previously acquired abilities to say words or speak in complete sentences
o repetition of phrases of words verbatim without understanding how they are used
o speaking with an abnormal rhythm or tone and may use robot-like speech or a sing-song type of voice

Social warning signs include:

o appearing unaware of another child's or individual's feelings
o appears that they sometimes do not hear you or are ignoring you
o failure to respond to their names
o poor eye contact or the total lack thereof
o resistance to any type of cuddling and holding
o retreating or withdrawing into their "own world" while preferring to play alone

Though every autistic child may have their own unique style of behavior, the Autism signs listed above are the most common ones that you should look for if you fear that your child has the disorder. However, for the most part, severe Autism in children is characterized by a total inability to communicate and/or interact with other individuals. Some signs appear early on in infancy while in other cases, the child appears totally normal in the first few months of their lives and then change suddenly.

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

Recognizing the Early Signs of Autism

Autism is growing more and more common throughout the US. In a recent study conducted by the CDC, it was estimated that 1 out of every 100 child in the country is autistic. Although many younger married couples and parents are more concerned about over population than they were during the Baby Boomer generation, Autism has now become a concern for many of the ones who want to have a family.

What's important is that you should always be monitoring your child's behavior to see if any of the early signs of Autism are present. Even the youngest of children can be diagnosed at an early age. Research has proven that the earlier the child is diagnosed and a treatment is prescribed, the better the long-range outcome will be. So what exactly do you need to watch for? Here are some of the warning signs that you should be looking for, according to the National Institute of Mental Health:

- The child does not speak a single word by the time they reach 16 months of age.
- The child is not babbling, not making any meaningful or noticeable gestures, and not pointing by the time they are 12 months old.
- They begin to lose both language and social skills.
- They do not interact with others or smile
- They do not start putting two words together by the time they are two years old.
- They don't respond to their names.
- They don't seem to know how to play with their toys.
- They focus more on lining up objects and their toys rather than other, more important issues.
- They focus obsessively on only one object or toy
- They maintain poor eye contact if any at all.
- They occasionally appear to be hearing-impaired

Although there be other Autism warning signs to be aware of, the ones above are the primary indicators of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. What's important to remember is that there are numerous explanations for the majority of these warning signs listed above.

For instance, the fact that the child is attached to one particular object or toy in itself (see point #9 above), is not a definitive sign of Autism. Conversely, a child with excellent communication, language, and reading skills can still be diagnosed as being Autistic. As an example, there are numerous children today who have been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, another form of Autism, that have exception skills in these key areas. Even children who display exceptional language skills have been diagnosed with Autism.

The diagnosis of Autism is based on a process of interviewing the parents while at the same time observing the child. This is done in order to make the right diagnosis and prescribe the proper course of treatment. Additionally, sufficient research has also revealed that in many cases of Autism, certain correlations have been found between Autism and specific physical issues. What is important is that you acquire all the knowledge that you possibly can regarding Autism so that you will be better equipped to deal with the situation.

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