Autism Treatment - How to Successfully Work With a Biomedical Autism Doctor

These suggestions have been acquired over the years in my practice and have helped me assist my patients greatly. Also, in talking with many other doctors working with families of a loved one with autism these recommendations often hold true as well. Working with a doctor who specializes in biomedical intervention for autism can be a challenging process for some parents.

Understanding that a particular doctor may be extremely busy and needs your help in assisting them help your child will go a long way in the treatment of your child. Here are some recommendations.

Journal - keep a running journal of your observations and timeline of therapies you are implementing.

Keep a spreadsheet of therapies.

Keep dates of when new therapies such as when supplements were started, stopped, and what reactions were seen (good or bad).

Recognize your child's patterns - situational, seasonal, time of day.

If added new therapies and problems are seen - then cut out some or all new therapies giving before reactions occurred, then reintroduce slowly to isolate which one was the potential culprit. Notify your doctor of these changes.

You will need to become a detective of your child's particular autism condition.

You know your child better than anyone - be involved 100%.

You are ultimately responsible for your own health and your child's health care.

Be prepared for your consultations with questions, concerns, and important topics you want to cover. Have these sent via fax or email prior to your consult.

Ask whether your practitioner receives faxes, emails, or voice mail regarding questions. Be prepared to pay for extra time. Most doctors will answer questions that are related to a new therapy introduced or quick follow-up questions to a recent visit.

Partnering with your practitioner also means having a relationship with the office staff. Treat them with respect. They are there to help.

Do not assume your doctor remembers every detail about your child - keep them informed.

If you change supplements by either removing or adding them let your practitioner know in writing via fax or email. This way they can keep a copy for their records.

Come prepared with your latest observations about your child.

Let your doctor know what different therapies, testing, etc. you want to explore.

Keep a running list of supplements, medications, calendar of therapy implementation, reactions to therapies.

Let your doctor know when you have sent off tests or if you are having problems getting tests samples collected. Some offices track follow-up appointments based on incoming tests results.

Autism really is treatable! Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving, or even even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For lots more free biomedical autism intervention information and videos from Dr. Woeller, go to http://www.autismrecoverytreatment.com/.

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an biomedical autism Intervention specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Download his free ebook at http://www.autismactionplan.org/.

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How Autism Support Groups Can Help

Autism support groups are excellent for people learning how to come to terms with the condition and their families who are often struggling to know how to cope. There are several different styles of support group available, and you will need to decide, which one will suit your needs. Depending on whether you need the support yourself or for family members will often determine the style of the group needed.

There are many different areas covered in the support groups, and you have to decide if you want a group that focuses on one area, or a wide spectrum of issues. You have to appreciate that the symptoms for Autism vary a huge amount, therefore, some of what you are involved with will not be beneficial to you. However, you and your family may still be interested in participating within these groups.

Parents who have children that are autistic may be finding it hard to cope, and come to terms with the full time care that their children need. Finding support groups that can allow these parents to talk through their problems, and realize that they are not alone is incredibly beneficial. There are thousands of people learning to cope with their autistic children, and benefiting from support groups all over the world.

You may find that all of the information that you are provided with when you are diagnosed is too much to understand. Therefore, the support groups can go back over the information, and ensure that you fully understand what lies ahead for you and your family. Many parents feel frustrated by their children's behavior, and this can cause issues within the family unit. Sometimes it is far easier to talk to other people and support groups allow you to do this.

There are a large number of different support groups that will allow you to discuss and express how you feel. You need to understand that the emotions and feelings that you have are perfectly normal and many other parents have felt them before. Talking to people who have been living with autism within the family for some time can provide you with the knowledge that you will bebale to cope.

Some support groups for autism may be run by parents and care providers of autistic children; however, there are other groups, which are run by professionals. The professionals are excellent, and can give you the scientific knowledge and answers that you may need. However, groups run by people who have to deal with autism every day may have a far wider knowledge. You will be amazed at the level of strength and commitment that these people display.

Once you have found a support group that you feel you want to be part of, you need to establish where and when the meetings will be held. Some groups will charge a small fee for their services to cover the rent of the space they are using. Other groups may be free to attended, and these will often be extremely full. Whatever group you decide to join, you will be gaining knowledge that will help you all to lead normal lives.

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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.

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