Autism Research

                

 

Is your child suffering from autism? Do you want to help your child surpass this disorder so that he can live like other kids? Nowadays, there are a lot of ways to help children reverse their autism symptoms. This is due to extensive autism research and studies. Different kinds of treatments, both natural and conventional, have been discovered.

Most researches have also been very useful in identifying the varying degrees of the disorder. Autism research was mostly conducted by experts, such as doctors and social workers. Medical students and highly-concerned citizens have also contributed to autism research.

Benefits of Autism Research

With the diversity of autism research that has been conducted for the past few years, it is safe to assume that the knowledge gleaned is applicable to a lot more people. Now, if you have an autistic child, you will greatly benefit from the findings available.

Through these findings, there are now many ways to help sufferers live normally. Education and teaching materials have become more comprehensive. Through autism research, breakthroughs have also been made in terms of nutrition. It was found out that chemicals, such as foods toxins, can induce autism symptoms.

With such studies, you can also better understand the nature of your child?s disorder. Therefore, you will know what to do in any situations you are in.

Where to Find Autism Research

If you?re looking for materials on autism research to assist you in helping your child, there are a lot of centers that can lend you some printed or multimedia materials. There are also several organizations, like the Autism Research Institute, that conduct regular research aimed at improving the lives of autism sufferers all over.

Aside from these, there are also lots of online autism research sites on the Internet that offer similar information.

Autism provides detailed information on Autism, Autism Symptoms, Autism Treatments, Cause Of Autism and more. Autism is affiliated with Dyslexia Testing.

Child Autism

                

 

For nearly all parents, the most important things in the world to them are their children. They will probably do everything in their power just to keep them safe and make them feel loved. It would especially heartbreaking if your child is suffering from autism. What would you do? Studies have now found ways to reverse child autism and keep them from being distant forever.

According to experts, child autism is considered as an all-encompassing brain disorder. It is technically labeled as pervasive developmental disorder or PDD. Most children with autism find it difficult to communicate and interact with others. They also have an impaired ability when it comes to having close relationships. Talking or listening can also be difficult.

Autism is difficult to spot early on because the distinction of it being a medical condition or simply shyness is too fine. Generally, it is best to have your child checked for autism if, by the age three, you see that he is not interested in any kind of social interaction, having trouble communicating or is not reacting to direct stimuli, such as hugs.

It is also hard to diagnose child autism, as it has varied effects on different children. Some are autistic since birth while some start to show signs by the age of three years old. Children with severe autism are incapable of functioning on their own. It is important to do everything you can to reverse the effects of autism.

Things You Ought To Know To Help Your Child with Autism

There are now many ways to reverse child autism. Many books and printed materials that deal with this specifically are widely available. These reading materials mostly have suggestions and guidelines on how to educate and teach your child. Dietary suggestions are also included.

The Internet also provides hundreds of sites containing information about child autism. These web pages include proper care guidelines, symptom analysis, diagnosis and treatment. They may also help you find great schools that have the facilities and trained professionals that can cater to your child's needs.

Autism provides detailed information on Autism, Autism Symptoms, Autism Treatments, Cause Of Autism and more. Autism is affiliated with Dyslexia Testing.

Autism - An Enigmatic Event Revisited: From the Refrigerator Mother to The Parent Trap

                

 

Autism is defined as a neurodevelopmental disorder that reveals itself in a pronounced abnormal social interaction, patterns of interests, patterns of behavior, and communication ability. The specific cause of autism is unknown, some researchers suggest that autism results from genetically-influenced vulnerabilities to environmental triggers. It is estimated that autism occurs in as many as one child in 166 in the United States. Families that already have one autistic child, the odds of a second autistic child mau be as high as one in twenty. Autism is 3 to 4 times more common in boys. However, girls with the disorder tend to have more severe symptoms and greater cognitive impairment.

The word autism was first used in the English language by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler in a 1912 issue of the American Journal of Insanity. It comes from the Greek word for "self." Bleuler used it to describe the schizophrenic's seeming difficulty in connecting with other people. However, the classification of autism did not come into play until the middle of the twentieth century, in 1943 Dr. Leo Kanner of the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore reported eleven child patients with striking behavioral similarities, and introduced the label early infantile autism. He suggested "autism" from the Greek (autos), meaning "self," to describe children lacking interest in other people. Kanner's first paper on autism was published in (now defunct Journal) The Nervious Child. An Austrian scientist, Dr. Hans Asperger, made similar observations. however, his name has since been attached to a different and higher-functioning form of autism know as Asperger's syndrome. Dr. Asperger's work was not nationally recognized until after World War II in Germany, and his major work wasn't translated into English for almost fifty years. The majority of Dr. Asperger work wasn't widely read until 1997.

Autism may not be physiologically obvious. A complete physical and neurological assessment will often be part of diagnosing autism. Recently, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a connection between autism, abnormal blood vessel function and oxidative stress. The study suggest that, if researchers can discover more evidence linking decreased blood flow to the brain and oxidative stress with the pathology of autism, improvement in therapy could be found.

During my thirty five years experience as a mental health professional I have had the opportunity to work in several community mental health programs which exposed me to most mental disorders on a daily basis, including autism. This environment afforded me precious opportumity to interact directly with parents and caretakers of children disgnosed with infantile autism. Also, as a therapist, many mothers of autistic children discussed with me their profound feelings of guilt, shame, helplessnes, and frustration being the parent of an autistic child. These mothers said they often feel personally responsible for their child's autism, and unconsciously blame themselves.

Recently I read an article titles: Autism's Parent Trap, New York Times, OP-ED page, June 5, 2000. Ms. McGovern, the author, aim to caution parents concerning the popular, but unrealistic and determination of their abilities to enable an autistic child to lead a normal life is clearly evident: And the setting for the parent trap. To make the connection between unrealistic expectation of recovery from autism and possible devastating outcome, Ms. McGovern reported on three cases in which parents were accused of killing their autistic children, these cases occurred in England and the United States within a short span of one month: In one case the mother committed suicide, as well. In this instance, for three children with autism, the disconnect between parental expectation and limited progress may have been lethal. The occurrence of parent killing their maladjusted child, and often themself, is not as rare as we may think.

The New York Times article triggered my desire to learn why parents, mostly mothers, experienced such intense negative emotions that would cause them to kill their autistic children, and often themselves; as an act of love. Is there a social connection that cause parents, especially mothers, of children born with birth defects or developmental disabilities to experience such extreme shame and guilt?

If you are the mother of a child diagnosed with autism you already know that no matter what you do for or with your child, you still feel guilty. You feel guilty primarily because no one know the causes or have a cures of autism. Therefore, you may feel that anything you did could be your fault, or did you do everything that would help. You know that your child did not acquire autism for the lack of motherly love. However, you are not so certain about that small glass of wine you had when you were pregnant. And what about the vaccines you allowed the doctor your child? Since no one can tell you what causes autism, it is very easy to decide that it was your fault.

Let's face it, society has a rich history of blaming mothers for imperfect children; be it psychological, physiological, or sociological it is always the mother's fault. After all, it wasn't very long ago that mothers were blamed for their sons' homosexuality. And during the 1940's the term refrigerator mother was coined as a label for mothers of autistic children. These mothers were often blamed for their children's atypical behaviors. Mental health professionals suggested that autism was the product of mothers who were cold, distance and rejecting, depriving the child an opportunity to bond property.

Therefore, having a greater understanding of the social foundation which motherhood is erected it requires no great leap to comprehend why women blame themselves and experience profound guilt when they give birth to children with life-long defects. Culture teaches mothers that when something goes wrong with the kids or in the family its usually their fault. Many mothers internalized the social expectations that they must do everything, and do it very well, and when they fail to meet these high expectations; they feel guilty. The emotion of guilt is not innate, or a part of the human gene pool, but guilt can be passed-down from generation to generation. I am not suggesting that women are hard-wired to feel guilt. However, women are socialized very early as nurturers, and to accept responsibility for the happiness of others. While this is an impossible and unreasonable task. Yet, many women experience it as their goal and feel guilty even when they have done their best.

Dr. William Smith is a psychologist and a psychological consultant with more than thirty years experience. Dr. Smith specializes in working with client who requires individualized attention and complete confidentiality. For further information or a free initial assessment of your needs; visit my website; http://insightconsultant.com

Social Skills and Autism - Where's the Best Place for Socialization?

                

 

Your child has autism and you?ve been told that social skills deficits are to be expected. So what can you do to help your child learn how to behave properly, make friends, and get along in the world?

Like me, you may have been told that your child needs to be in a school setting with other children to be socialized. Let?s consider for a minute what kind of social skills a child with autism may learn in school.

1. In a school or classroom setting, your child is exposed to both positive and negative socialization. This isn?t really debated by any of us who have been in school. The question is whether or not the ?good? socialization outweighs the ?bad? socialization.

2. There are typically two placements for children with autism when it comes to schools. Each comes with its own drawbacks as far as social skills are concerned.

For those who are lower-functioning, there is the special ed classroom. If your child is placed in a special ed class, they may actually pick up negative behaviors from the other students. Children who have never said a bad word in their lives come home with all sorts of words that the parents know they didn?t teach their child. Or maybe a child who wasn?t aggressive previously starts imitating the hitting, biting, or screaming of a classmate. That?s not what I think most parents are hoping for when they are told to put their child in school to learn social skills.

If your child is higher-functioning, they may be mainstreamed in a regular ed classroom. Will the typical behaviors of their peers be the positive socialization you hoped for? Unfortunately, many times children with autism become an easy target for bullies who cause them physical and emotional harm. Other classmates, who may be nice enough themselves, may still go along with cruel jokes or name calling at the expense of a child with autism just because they don?t want to be ostracized from their peers. Whether it?s bullying, teasing, or isolation, children who are ?different? and don?t possess the same social abilities as their peers often experience great difficulties just trying to survive a day at school. These children often exhibit signs of tremendous stress and anxiety, depression, and some even contemplate suicide.

So are there any alternatives? Families who are concerned about the educational and social well-being of their children often choose to teach them at home. Home-schooling offers a better opportunity for positive socialization while drastically limiting the possibility of negative social experiences. Home-schooled children are not isolated or ?unsocialized?. Home-schooling simply provides the opportunity for parents to expose their children to a variety of social situations when they feel their child is ready to handle them. Most communities have home-school groups that offer park days, sports teams, special classes or lessons, as well as informal get-togethers for home-schooled children.

It must be noted that children with autism do not learn social skills simply by being with typical peers regardless of the setting -- school or home. In order to master social skills, autistic children require specific instruction and opportunities to practice skills first in settings with one other child, then with two children, then in small groups, and then in large groups. To place a child with autism into a classroom situation (or any group situation) and assume that they will learn beneficial social skills just because other children are present is not supported by research or real life (See point #4 in the open letter from Dr. Ivar Lovaas, autism expert, at http://featbc.org/why_lovaas/letter.html).

Common sense tells us that we don?t teach a child with autism to swim by throwing them into the deep end of a swimming pool and telling them to start swimming. Likewise, if we want children with autism to ?swim? in the social world, we can?t just put them in a situation that virtually ensures their failure. We must teach them step-by-step and give them plenty of time to practice their social skills in a supervised setting. We can accomplish this via one-on-one play dates with peers, social skills small groups, sibling/parent relationships, community outings, etc.

So the next time someone suggests that you should put your child with autism in school simply because of their need for socialization, consider exactly what that means for your child. There?s not much compelling evidence to suggest that inclusion in school settings is accomplishing positive socialization or excellence in education for most children, especially children with autism. We can do better at home.

Mary Gusman is an educational consultant and an expert in the area of home-schooling children with autism. With over 8 years of personal experience home-schooling her own son with autism, she offers nationwide educational and home school consulting services to families with special needs children. Mary can be contacted via her website at http://www.ochomeschooling.com/specialneeds

How To Identify Autism In Your Child

                

 

Let's start at the beginning with discussing what is Autism?

Autism is a disorder of the brain and one in every two and a half thousand children are born with it. Children who are Autistic will show signs of being withdrawn from their environment and will have problems communicating. Often it is confused with Asperger's Syndrome and, although similar in many ways, they are two different diagnoses.

Signs of Autism can be displayed in a child as young as twelve months and it is usually prominent by the age of three. Autism is also called spectrum disorder or autistic spectrum disorder, and statistics show more males than females have been diagnosed with the neurological abnormality. Often, a child can seem very normal until up to three years of age, then suddenly they begin to change as their speech and social development is impaired. They will exhibit strange behavior and movements, have trouble communicating, some even become deaf and mute and will not like being held. Some will move compulsively and prefer to occupy themselves rather than play with toys or people. Every case is individual, so each child has a different combination of symptoms.

With communication being so difficult for those with spectrum disorder, it is common for their IQ to be below average. About a quarter of these cases excel in certain areas like math, art or music and their IQs are well above average. It is much harder to diagnose Autism in adults from any physical symptoms, but they have problems with understanding other's feelings, forming friendships, recognizing fear and behaving appropriately in social situations. Often, they will be self-destructive in their habits and are unable to understand the consequences of their actions.

Asperger's Syndrome is a mild form of Autism, with most of the symptoms being the same. Where Autism is clearly diagnosed by about age three, Asperger's onset is usually much later. Children with Asperger's will prefer isolation, exhibit eccentricities, will have strange inflections in their way of speaking, can be uncoordinated and clumsy and single minded in their interests.

High functioning autism is where a person has been diagnosed with the disorder but is still able to continue with a relatively unaffected life. Asperger's disorder is considered milder than this type of Autism, so they can usually maintain a fairly uninterrupted existence. Someone with Asperger's may not be viewed any differently in society, but with Autism, they will be noticeably unique in their movements and speech and can have more trouble learning. This means they can experience more difficulty fitting in and possibly even discrimination.

There is no cure for Autism or Asperger's and no way to return their normal functions and abilities. However, much progress is always being made in ways to manage the disorders. Speech therapy, special diets, music therapy, sensory integration, art therapy, behavior modification and auditory training are all ways to assist in handling Autism so they can lead a life as close to normal as is possible. Since it is specific to the individual, treatments are tailored to each case. Some may need drug therapy for hyperactivity disorders or anger control.

Having a child with Autism can be very stressful and taxing on the family, so strategies for coping will be needed for all who are involved. Autistic children need extra attention and endless supplies of love and understanding. They never truly mature like most of us, but they will have a better chance of being independent if they receive the required training and support therapies.

Jon is a computer engineer who maintains many websites to pass along his knowledge, experience, information, and findings. You can read more about Autism, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and Asbergers Syndrome at his web site at http://www.autism-explained.com/

A Look at the Evolution of Autism Research

                

 

Pervasive developmental disorders first began to appear in the early 1980's. Pervasive development disorders like autism are relatively new on the diagnostic scene. Professionals use the DSM IV as the primary diagnostic tool to classify these disorders. Autism research and other studies dedicated to these modern disorders are still in their early stages.

Autism research has yet to make significant progress in uncovering the causes of the condition. Numerous professionals have spent countless hours, weeks, and even years in an effort to obtain significant results to expand our understanding of the disorder.

One in every 175 children are said to be diagnosed with autism or related pervasive development disorders. Last year's statistics show that one in every 166 was diagnosed.

This drop although positive, is sadly insignificant considering that only one in 10,000 was diagnosed about ten years ago. The alarming increase in the number of children who were diagnosed has increased the clamor for more autism research.

Recent autism research has discovered some valuable information about the disorder and the data can be organized into three major categories: causes, treatment, and cure.

The exact causes of the disorder are still unknown but some tests indicate that genetics may be responsible. However, more information are still being gathered and results so far have been inconclusive.

Some experts have proposed that the cause of the disorder lies in vaccination shots, specifically MMR vaccines that were administered to infants when they were around eighteen months of age. However, no autism research has supported this claim and the debate about the disorder continue.

Fortunately, research has helped determine what treatments might work best for this population. Programs like Applied Behavior Analysis have proven to be successful in treating some cases of autism. Some agencies across the country use a combination of strategies and interventions to aid children and adults to function to the best of their capacity.

The efforts of experts and researchers involved in autism research have not yet found a cure. This disorder are still a mystery even to the most knowledgeable doctors in the world. It continues to frustrate numerous professionals, parents, and care givers who are eager to put autism and related pervasive developmental disorders to rest.

The treatment for autistic disorders has come a long way. Our understanding of the problem has grown almost as quickly as the rate of diagnosis. Hopefully, autism research will come up with more answers to help children and adults around the world just as quickly.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Autism Research. Visit our site for more helpful information about Autism Research and other similar topics.

Autism and Asperger's Syndrome

                

 

It is every parent?s nightmare for a child to be born with some form of disability. In the case of most physical disabilities this can be obvious or at least quickly diagnosed by a doctor. However, less obvious are disabilities or abnormalities associated with the child?s brain. Autism is such an abnormality and asperger's syndrome is a particular type of autism. Autism and asperger's syndrome in particular cannot usually be detected until the child has reached 18 months to 3 years of age. Asperger's syndrome may not become apparent until much later and sometimes into adulthood.

Asperger's syndrome (AS) is one of five neurobiological pervasive disorders (PDD) which collectively cover deficiencies in social and communication skills. Asperger's syndrome specifically identifies a person with normal to above normal intelligence compared with classic autism. As with classic autism, the asperger's syndrome person will have difficulty communicating and interacting with other people but is more specifically characterised by limited interests other than a preoccupation with a particular topic to the exclusion of all other topics. Other characteristics include repetitive behaviours or rituals, peculiarities in speech and language, socially and emotionally inappropriate behaviour and interpersonal interaction, problems with non verbal communication and clumsy and uncoordinated physical movements.

More simply, the characteristics of asperger's syndrome can be divided into three main categories: social impairments, narrow but intense interests and peculiarities of speech and language.

Many asperger's syndrome sufferers will experience difficulty in life and the progress of treatment will depend on how early in their life the condition was diagnosed, development of language skills, access to suitable schooling and above all the love and support of parents and family. Usually, treatment can be provided alongside a normal life and mixing with normal people.

There is no specific cure for asperger's syndrome or any form of autism but it can be managed by using special behavioural management techniques, special education and medication. With the love and support of parents and family together with a good psychologist many autism and asperger's syndrome people are able to integrate into a normal life pattern.

For more information on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome visit http://www.aboutautismhealthsite.info/ for other Health Issues visit http://www.the-health-issues-directory.com/

Understanding Autism

                

 

Autism, which is sometimes also referred to Childhood Autism, Early Infantile Autism, or Kanner's Autism, is caused by some neurological malfunction that causes marked delays in the development in the areas of communication and social interaction. Autism is a developmental disability that often occurs during the first three years of a child's life. Autism, generally, affects the perception, attention, and thought of a person, though, it normally occurs at a younger age.

Autism isn't an easy disorder to diagnose. Diagnosing autism is a very subjective process, though the DSM IV lists specific criteria that must be met for a formal diagnosis of autism.

Autism has been known as one of the most severe neurological disorders affecting children for about fifty years, but until recently, it was considered to be fairly rare, affecting less than one in 1000 people. According to figures published by the Department of Education, the incidence of autism and diagnoses of autism have risen a staggering 800% since 1993.

It would be easy if there was a standard treatment for all children with autism spectrum disorder, but unlike disorders like diabetes, there is no 'best' treatment for ASD. Since the mid-90s, there have been numerous anecdotal reports that treatment with secretin results in amazing and immediate improvements in many autistic children and adults. Amongst the commonly used treatments are behavioral interventions, medication, and lifestyle and dietary changes.

What causes autism? Autism is a brain disorder the etiology of which is not yet understood, which means, in basic langauge, the cause is not yet understood. There are lots of theories, and a lot of debate about the reasons for autism, and much of it is involved in the controversy surrounding exactly how common autism is, and whether or not there's been a noticeable rise in actual cases of autism in recent times.

For mothers and fathers, one of the most crucial pieces of information is that autism is not a psychological illness. Specialists quite specifically dismissed the worrying theory that autism is brought on by the absence of a nurturing mother, but the belief still exists in some circles. If your child suffers from autism, don't worry, it is not due to the fact that you were a inadequate parent

The gene connection There is a great deal of research that implies a gene-related cause for autism. For example, the rates of autism in the public is approximately 1.5 in 1000, but families with one autistic child have a 5 percent chance of having another autistic child. In fact, the majority of autism experts think that autism is the most likely to be inherited of all the neurobiological disorders. The most persuasive evidence is the studies completed involving twins. Studying twins can help to identify a genetic link for a condition by analyzing the differencein frequency rates of the complaint in identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins. If a disorder is genetic in origin, the frequency rate will be significantly elevated in monozygotic (identical) twins, since they share the very same chromosomes. In the majority of such studies researching autism, the frequency of autism is as much as 90% higher in monozygotic (identical) twins than in fraternal (dizygotic).

On the other hand, the studies raise other questions. The fact that not one of the studies showed 100% concordance in monozygotic twins suggests that there are other factors at play in the causes of autism, for instance. And other familial studies have noted common characteristics, for instance, that autism is more common in families of physicists and engineers, giving rise to the term 'the geek syndrome' to identify autism.

Lifestyle factors A number of doctors suspect that there could be an environmental factor in the progression of autism. Dr. Bernard Rimland, for instance, proposed in 1967 that autism may be a result of mercury and heavy metal toxicity to which a few youngsters have a genetic sensitivity. His treatment of autistic kids with a gluten-free, casein-free diet and mercury chelation therapy (removal of mercury from the system) has shown many success with most children.

Other lifestyle factors that have been suggested to play roles are viral or bacterial infections, vaccines and thalidomide.

The Supermale Brain Theory One particularly interesting recent theory about the etiology of autism is that it's brought on by high levels of testosterone during progression. A study in England measured the testosterone level of the amniotic fluid in mothers, then followed up with testing of youngsters after birth and at four years. It was found that the babies with the highest levels of testosterone pre-birth had a smaller vocabulary and made eye contact less usually at a year old, and were less socially developed at age four. The theory holds that elevated testosterone levels in the brain support the indicence of 'male skills' such as analysis of systems and seeing patterns, but repress the progression of 'female skills' such as communication and empathy

Roger Wakefield is a staff writer at: Information About Autism ... a site dedicated to helping those with family members suffering from Autism

Understanding And Diagnosing Autism

                

 

It has been said that autism is probably one of the most misunderstood ailments today. What makes it

hard to categorize is the fact that there are many different degrees of autism. Some degrees of it are

barely noticeable, which then becomes a big question mark as to whether a particular person is really

afflicted with autism. On the other hand, some cases of it are severe enough to where the afflicted

person cannot function in normal life on their own.

Autism does not indicate a lack of intelligence necessarily. Consider for example the movie "Rain Man"

where Dustin Hoffman did an excellent job as he played the role of the autistic brother, socially inept

with very poor social skills outside of his brother, but proved to be a gambler's dream in the casino or

anything to do with numbers. Studies have shown that a very common element for an autistic person is

intense concentration on a particular topic, almost to the exclusion of all else.

Autism is very similar to Asbergers Syndrome, although it is accepted that Asbergers is the milder form

of autism. Like autism, Asbergers is not a physical ailment but yet it can profoundly affect the manner

in which the person interacts socially and with the environment around them. In both cases, people

afflicted with these ailments tend to not be able to relate to the world around them, or in many cases

to even be aware of things happening around them. They are typically known to take things very

literally and at face value, lacking the social skills to "read between the lines" as we all learn to do

as we mature.

Other symptoms of autism are a lack of imagination, or the lack of having an ability to imagine a

different situation. Ideas and new concepts need to be repeated to people with autism over and over

again before they can begin to grasp the idea or concept, and even then it might not sink in, depending

on the severity level of the affliction.

In terms of social interactions, autistic people do not seem to be able to grasp the difference in

things said based on facial expressions or tone of voice. In the same vein, they are frequently unable

to add more meaning to what is said based on non-verbal cues or gestures, but instead tend to take

things quite literally. One very interesting aspect is that they are frequently unable to or are very

uncomfortable with making direct eye contact with someone who is speaking to them.

Autism is most frequently found in children and it is widely thought that many genetic factors play a

part in this in terms of abnormalities during brain development. There is significant disagreement

amongst scientists as to whether this occurs during pregnancy or shortly after birth. But in any event,

researchers are agreed that the earlier that a child is diagnosed with autism, the better off that child

will be in the steps that can be taken to work with the affliction and minimize its effects on the

growth of that child during the critical developmental years. Most children can be properly diagnosed

by age 2 or perhaps age 3, and your doctor can help you understand how to work with the child to

minimize the detrimental effects as much as possible.

While there is not a wholesale "cure" for autism such as a cast that can be put on a broken arm,

researchers are finding new ways to treat it. Some hopeful results have been seen by the use of certain

steroids that have proven to successfully reduce or remove autistic behavior.

Various studies have shown that certain proteins in the body appear to be more likely to cause a child

to be susceptible to acquiring autism than others. The problem with studies to date is that different

proteins have vastly different effects on different individuals, so it is very difficult to narrow down

exactly what proteins may be suspect. Interestingly enough, there is a significantly higher percentage

of boys with autistic spectrum disorders than girls, where some studies have found that ratio to be

higher than 3 to 1. Equally interesting is the fact that even with this ratio, girls with autistic

spectrum disorder tend to be much more severe. This is thought to be because girls normally have better

verbal skills at an earlier age than boys, whereas boys are better at visual and spatial tasks.

Jon is a computer engineer and long-term world traveler who maintains many websites to pass along his knowledge and findings. You can read more about autism at his web site at http://www.autism-explained.com

Autism Vs Sibling Rivalry

                

 

There?s always tension between siblings, but when one child has a mental or physical developmental disorder, this sibling rivalry can become even more pronounced. As a parent, dealing with disorders can be stressful enough without worrying about having to balance your time between two or more children. A number of things can be done to improve relationships between brothers and sisters when one or more child suffers from autism, but remember that children of all ages will quarrel, so time apart is important too.

First and foremost, it is important to educate your children about autism. Starting from a young age, your children who are not diagnosed with the disease should learn that their brother or sister has a different understanding of the world. This is especially important because when you and your spouse pass away, your other children will most likely have power-of-attorney over their autistic siblings, even if they do not have direct responsibility for them on a day to day basis. It may be beneficial to explain this to them as they mature, but even as a child, the sense of responsibility for a sibling who needs help can create more understanding. Get you child involved with taking care of your autistic child by learning fun educational games to play together or helping with everyday tasks such as dressing and eating.

However, remember that your non-autistic child needs plenty of care and attention as well. Plan family outing which all of your children can enjoy, but also treat your non-autistic children to other events as well. They may feel resentful because they cannot do all of the things with their family that a typical child and his or her family can do, so try to counteract this with other events. For example, perhaps your family cannot travel to the beach because your autistic child can?t handle the stress of the sand, water, and crowds. Instead, plan a family trip to a less-crowded lake destination or, if you live close enough, plan a day trip to the beach while your autistic child visits with grandma or does another activity.

Remember that your non-autistic children need attention at other points in the day, not just every once in awhile for special events. Schedule some time every day to provide these children with your undivided attention. Think of this kind of sibling rivalry as similar to the rivalry that occurs when a new child is born. Although the new baby needs your attention the most, you cannot ignore your other children. The same is true when you have an autistic child.

Lastly, take advantage of programs and organizations aimed at helping families through difficult situations. Many groups are formed specifically for siblings of autistic children to help them cope with the stress that this causes in their lives. If your child does not enjoy these groups, do not force him or her to go, but usually these meetings are fun and inspiring.

Consider joining a family counselling group. This not only helps parents deal with the stress of raising an autistic child, but also helps children, both autistic and non-autistic, learn to interact peacefully with one another. When there is a level of understanding between children and between a child and his or her parents, the family can work together to help their autistic member, as well as help one another be successful in life.
Rachel Evans has an interest in Autism. For further information on Autism please visit Autism or Autism Symptoms

Parenting Autism - Getting Past the Embarrassment

                

 

One of the more difficult parts of parenting a child with autism, and something that can be hard to talk about, is the embarrassment you may feel about your child's behavior. As parents, we're not supposed to feel embarrassed about our children, yet we're also taught that children should behave, and if they don't, it's probably a result of faulty parenting.

This belief system can be very disempowering, especially for a parent of a child with autism, because it's impossible to control everything your child does. At those times when your child is acting strangely or falling apart, you can feel embarrassed or angry about the judgment you may feel from others. As a result, you may feel pressure to do something against your instincts, such as punish your child, just to save face, to look like you're in control, or to assuage your anger.

In reality, just like the sadness issue, how you feel about others' opinions is completely up to you. Believe it or not, you can choose to feel however you like when your child throws a tantrum in the mall. You don't have to feel unhappy just because your child is unhappy, or because others may judge you or your child. It's possible to empathize with your child in the situation while remaining happy and calm, or at least neutral and calm.

Next time you're in such a situation, ask yourself this question- "Which attitude would best serve me, my child, and this situation? Happy and calm, or embarrassed and angry?" My guess is that happy and calm would be the better choice in most situations, but ultimately your mindset is up to you. You cannot be influenced by others' opinions, your child's feelings, or anything else, unless you decide that you can.

Now let's turn for a moment to the person who is judging your child. This is someone who is judging a child with special needs. What exactly does that say about them? In reality, their judgment doesn't define you or your child at all. Instead, their judgment defines them as someone who needs to judge. It has nothing to do with you or your child.

If your child could do better right now, he would. In time he will do better, no matter what's happening at this moment. If you choose happiness instead of embarrassment, you can best support your child when he needs you most, even while he's falling apart at the mall.

Sandra Sinclair is a parent of a child with PDD-NOS. She is author of "Newly Diagnosed Autism Spectrum"- A free mini-course with 7 clear steps you can take to help your child. http://www.autismvoice.com/blog/7StepstoHelpChildrenwithAutism

Parenting Autism ? Getting Past the Embarrassment

                

 

One of the more difficult parts of parenting a child with autism, and something that can be hard to talk about, is the embarrassment you may feel about your child's behavior. As parents, we're not supposed to feel embarrassed about our children, yet we're also taught that children should behave, and if they don't, it's probably a result of faulty parenting.

This belief system can be very disempowering, especially for a parent of a child with autism, because it's impossible to control everything your child does. At those times when your child is acting strangely or falling apart, you can feel embarrassed or angry about the judgment you may feel from others. As a result, you may feel pressure to do something against your instincts, such as punish your child, just to save face, to look like you're in control, or to assuage your anger.

In reality, just like the sadness issue, how you feel about others' opinions is completely up to you. Believe it or not, you can choose to feel however you like when your child throws a tantrum in the mall. You don't have to feel unhappy just because your child is unhappy, or because others may judge you or your child. It's possible to empathize with your child in the situation while remaining happy and calm, or at least neutral and calm.

Next time you're in such a situation, ask yourself this question- "Which attitude would best serve me, my child, and this situation? Happy and calm, or embarrassed and angry?" My guess is that happy and calm would be the better choice in most situations, but ultimately your mindset is up to you. You cannot be influenced by others' opinions, your child's feelings, or anything else, unless you decide that you can.

Now let's turn for a moment to the person who is judging your child. This is someone who is judging a child with special needs. What exactly does that say about them? In reality, their judgment doesn't define you or your child at all. Instead, their judgment defines them as someone who needs to judge. It has nothing to do with you or your child.

If your child could do better right now, he would. In time he will do better, no matter what's happening at this moment. If you choose happiness instead of embarrassment, you can best support your child when he needs you most, even while he's falling apart at the mall.
Sandra Sinclair is a parent of a child with PDD-NOS. She is author of ?Newly Diagnosed Autism Spectrum?- A free mini-course with 7 clear steps you can take to help your child. http://www.autismvoice.com/blog/7StepstoHelpChildrenwithAutism

Autism: An Incurable Developmental Disability

                

 

Developmental disability is an expression employed to refer to serious life long impairment that substantially reduces one or more of one's life functions. Such disabilities might adversely affect one's ability to make an independent living, ability to learn or move or express. One of such disabilities is Autism. If a child is autistic the signs are visible within three years of his or her birth. How pronounced are the symptoms varies from case to case and so the affect of the impairment on one's daily activities.

They have problems expressing themselves through speech and cannot speak well in most of the cases. An autistic child does not like playing with other children. He or she would rather find a small corner for himself or herself and confine to playing his or her own set of games that might appear very strange to any onlooker. They are very sensitive to light and loud noises and react to being subjected to them.

At times, they might behave as though they were deaf. They would not even respond to their own names. On other occasions, you name them and the head turns. It is primarily because on the occasions they do not respond, they are in their own world and have completely shut the rest of the world out. So, they are not receptive to external sounds or inputs naturally.

They can sit focusing on a single object for hours on one end without bothering to look around. It has also been found that some of them demonstrate exceptional fearlessness. For instance, an autistic may not budge even at the sight of a car dashing towards him or her at a very high speed.

The autistic children behave very differently. They do not like being cuddled or even touched. And if you smile at them, they might just keep staring at you unsmiling as though you were a dead wall.

They dislike socializing like anything and wish to live in the world of their own making. There are no known causes or cures for autism. We can only hope that someday we'll be able to find what exactly goes wrong with these people and how can they be cured, if 'cure' is the right term here.

Till that time all we can do is try to understand them and make them happy. Though they shun company but they still like being happy as much as any of us. However, it's not so easy to make them smile, for they smile only when they know you understand them and their very own, private world. Therefore, the key is understanding. Forget not, autistic might be similar in behavior but are still different as individuals. So, what works with one may irritate the other. Be careful, cautious and persevering.

To read more articles on disabilty, disability benefits, disability services and disability access visit http://www.about-disability.com/. To get more disability articles visit http://www.about-disability.com/

Sign of Autism in Your Child

                

 

Children develop very quickly at an early age. All parents prey that their children will develop normally and grow up in good health with a bright future ahead of them. Autism is a concern of many parents so what is the sign of autism in your child?

As parents we are on constant lookout for any sign of abnormal development such as autism in our children and of course it is so easy to jump to the wrong conclusions. A child will go through many phases and being able to spot anything abnormal is very difficult. However, we should look out for any abnormal behavior which could indicate autism.

Autism occurs in around 1 in every 700 children and statistically more likely to occur in boys. It is not an illness brought by an infection or some contagious disease. Autism is something the child is born with and results from an abnormal development of the brain. Autism results in a level of introvertive behavior with the child not willing to interact with other children and perhaps the most disturbing symptom is their lack of response to their parents. A child with autism lacks the interpersonal skills of a normal child.

Autism usually manifests itself between the ages of 18 months to 3 years although some signs can be detected in babies with autism. The main symptoms to look out for are as follows:

Babies

• An autistic baby does not respond to your presence - will not make eye contact with you and appears to be more interested in staring at some other moving inanimate object.
• An autistic baby will often appear too calm and may lie still for hours without crying.
• An autistic baby may not interact with other babies.

18 months - 3 Years old

• An autistic child may appear distracted and not look you in the eye when trying to communicate with them.
• An autistic child may have difficulty picking up the sounds of words and will need repeating many times.
• An autistic child may have unusual mannerisms which they like to repeat many times.
• An autistic child may lack imagination and not like role play or 'pretend' games.
• An autistic child may be disturbed by a change in routine.
• An autistic child may show a lack of interest in other children and not want to play with them.

This is not an exhaustive list by any means and we should be aware that some of these symptoms can be detected in 'normal' children. However, if your baby or child exhibits some or all of these symptoms then you are advised to seek advice from a doctor or child specialist. They will carry out some simple tests to either confirm your fears or hopefully in most cases ease your concerns and allow you to enjoy the ongoing 'normal' development of your child.

However, if your child is confirmed as autistic then you should not despair. It is not your fault and like any other child they will need your love and support. Just as the cause of Autism is unknown, there is currently no known cure either. Depending on the severity of the condition with your particular child it may be necessary for you to make certain allowances in your behavior towards them and in your daily routine.

Seek the advice of experts in this field - in more severe cases it may be necessary for you to arrange for your child to attend a special school. Often an autistic child will exhibit very special abilities and talents which need to be nurtured and controlled while helping them to develop the social skills which come more naturally to other children.

The condition of autism in children is well known and you should be able to receive plenty of help and support.

For more information on autism visit http://www.aboutautismhealthsite.info or for other health topics visit http://www.the-health-issues-directory.com

Parenting Autism- Getting Past the Sadness

                

 

It's very common for a parent of an autistic child to sometimes feel quite sad about his or her child's autism. After all, every parent wants his or her child to be accepted, to live a happy life, and to make all of their dreams a reality. In fact, you may have experienced an overwhelming feeling of sadness upon hearing of your child's autism, as our society has long held the idea that your child's condition is tragic and incurable.

But I invite you to look at things in a different way. Perhaps you can look at your child as not tragic or incurable, but rather, as unique and remarkable.

In our society, people who are different are often seen as unfortunate, sad cases. But if you think about it, your child is probably a pretty amazing person. His autism is actually a part of who he is, and he's probably not sad about it at all, unless society has convinced him otherwise.

Imagine if our society held autism up as an incredibly marvelous thing. In that case, most of us would be pretty happy about our child's autism, right? Our child would still be autistic, but our perception of what that means would be different, and so would our resulting emotional response.

In either case, society is telling us how we should feel- happy or unhappy. But in reality, no one else can dictate your feelings, unless you allow it. You truly decide how you feel from moment to moment. You decide if you're going to buy someone else's idea about how you should feel. And yes, you can decide to be happy or unhappy, despite what everyone has told you. You can decide to be happy now, without waiting till your child is recovered. I'm not talking about denial, where you're pushing down feelings and pretending they're not there. I'm actually talking about making the decision to be truly happy.

That doesn't mean that you give up on hoping and trying for more. If you can hope and work for your child's best outcome without making your happiness dependent upon it, and if you fully accept your child as he is now, even with his autism, then your child will feel that acceptance and positive expectation, and will respond by believing in himself.

No matter how many gloom and doom predictions others make about your child, you ultimately decide what you believe. Making the decision to fully accept your child and to be happy now, while trying for the best possible outcome will give your child what he needs- lots of learning opportunities in an accepting and loving environment.
Sandra Sinclair is a parent of a child with PDD-NOS. She is author of ?Newly Diagnosed Autism Spectrum?- A free mini-course with 7 clear steps you can take to help your child. http://www.autismvoice.com/blog/7StepstoHelpChildrenwithAutism

Child Autism How To Spot The Signs

                

 

This article which you are about to read on Child Autism has been written because I have become aware of a growing concern amongst parents about this disorder, and I want to try and answer a few questions that people have been asking.

Child autism or autistic spectrum disorder is a syndrome that results from the combination of certain traits in a child. There are a lot of ways that you can spot this disorder:

1) Social impairment. This is a childs inability to interact normally with other individuals. We all know how man is naturally a social person. An impairment of the social abilities of a child can hamper a lot of his abilities. This sign of child autism or autistic spectrum disorder can be observed through the following symptoms:

a) No desire to make friends. Children are naturally very friendly individuals. When a child shows no inclination for friendship, it could very well point to child autism or autistic spectrum disorder. However, you should not be alarmed if your child does not want to be friends with someone. After all, children have moods too.

b) Lack of eye contact. Eye contact is an important part of social interaction. A child who does not make any eye contact during conversations may be showing signs of the disorder.

c) Gullibility. Many people would realize that gullibility is a natural trait found in children. However, when coupled with other symptoms, this may point out to child autism or autistic spectrum disorder.

2) Language impairment. We communicate through a variety of ways. However, all methods of communication can be referred to as a language. A childs inability to grasp the different idiosyncrasies of language can be a symptom of the disorder.

a) Monotonous speech. We use intonations and volume to convey our meaning together with words. A child suffering from child autism or autistic spectrum disorder often speaks in a monotonous manner.

b) Overly formal speech. As humans, we are entitled to make small mistakes on grammar. The term slang was invented for a reason. We often improvise words and change terminologies all the time. Someone with the disorder, however, will follow the proper form of language rigidly, not understanding the concept of colloquialism.

c) Taking phrases literally. Those who suffer from child autism or autistic spectrum disorder will not be able to grasp metaphors and take words at face value. Be careful with what you say around them as they will take things literally.

d) Delayed response to questions. When being questioned, someone suffering from this problem will take a long time to respond.

Now before we go any further let me jump in here and say that I really do hope you are finding this informative. At the end of this article I will be giving you some ideas on where you can gather more information on this subject, but for now, lets continue.

3) Impairment of imagination. Imagination is a part of a humans everyday activities. In cases of those with child autism or autistic spectrum disorder, the imagination is impaired and this means they are unable to take things beyond a literal level. It also limits their ability to improvise.

a) Poor understanding of symbolism. Symbolic languages are integrated into our everyday lives. We may not be able to imagine just how it would be like to say things outright. A child with this disorder may interpret things differently. For example, when he or she is asked what the color white means in the story moby dick, he or she may associate it with vanilla ice cream instead of an emotion or mood of death.

b) Preference for routine. A child with this disorder has limited improvisational skills. This means that they would rather stick to a good, solid, routine. They will be confused when presented with an option to do something new.

Let me finish by saying that there is a lot more information out there on this subject just waiting for you to unearth, in your local bookstore, library and the internet.

john savage has a blog devoted to Autism is children and adults. Please Click Here to visit

Learn and understand the basic autism symptoms

                

 

Autism is a condition that affects perception, attention, interaction with others, thought, and many other vital abilities. Unfortunately, because we know so little about how the brain functions, we can't explain why autism appears or how can it be treated. The only thing we can do for autistic people is to try to help them integrate and fit in as much as possible, and to make them feel good about themselves.

The first thing that can be done in order to help an autistic person is need to discover if he/she is suffering from autism or not by checking the symptoms, because it's up to the ones around those with autism disorders to discover them due to the fact that they are not aware of their own condition and will never visit a doctor on their own. In the children's case it's up to the parents or the family to see if their son or daughter have the autism condition.

Autism is a term that covers a wide-range of disabilities, from mild to severe ones, so there aren't some specific symptoms of this so-called illness, but it is known that it affects behavior, interaction with others and communication skills, so those with problems of this kind and that present some other signs that seem to be common in autism cases are diagnosed with the autism disorder.

Here follows a list of the most encountered symptoms and signs of autism, but as mentioned before this affection does not follow a certain pattern, so don't jump to any conclusions on your own. Only a certified doctor can put an accurate diagnosis.

The first autism symptoms can be detected during the childhood, and until the child reaches the age of 3 or 4 years old the disorder is usually very visible. Adults and children that suffer from autism disorders are completely ignoring other people, they are indifferent to whatever is happening around them, they like to be alone, they reject contact and communication with others and they stare for hours at a single thing sometimes. They are living in a world of their own and they are very sensitive to sensations such as strong smells or loud noises.

Austists cannot speak right, they have problems with the language skills, so they express their needs through gestures rather than through words. Young children with autism don't like to be cuddled, tickled, or touched at all. The way they play is very different from other children's play.

The world is a strange place that they don't understand, so autistic persons need special treatment and special care, they need to be loved and protected because they are in danger all the time. For them it does not seem dangerous to cross the street when the traffic lights are red for example.

Therefore, discovering and properly diagnosing and treating autism is the first and most important step in helping those that suffer from it. So seek advice from a specialized doctor if you suspect your child or anyone else to be an autistic.

More informations about autism causes or about autism symptoms can be found by visiting http://www.autism-info-center.com/

Dan! (defeat Autism Now)

                

 

In 1995, a group of thirty scientists and physicians were selected to try to get together and defeat autism. These forward thinking researchers were chosen due to their experience working with autism and hailed from the United States and Europe. Not satisfied with the available treatments for autism, this meeting of the minds was created to embark on a new pathway to understanding autism and finding different ways to treat it. Today the group still meets to share what they have discovered and further our understanding of autism.

It took them a year but the DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) conference produced some sterling results. What they were able to come up with was a 244-page manual entitled Biomedical Assessment Options for Children with Autism and Related Problems. This manual was a progressive and cutting-edge approach to the treatment of autism and did not rely on using various drugs to treat autism. It was a more holistic approach that involved various components including diet, intestinal function, vitamin deficiencies, excess proteins, viruses, vaccinations, antibiotics, probiotics, amino acids, and more. Nearly every possible angle was researched in order to come up with the answers that had been obscured by conventional treatment for so long.

Autism is not a well-understood condition. According to research it is a biological disorder that affects the brain. However, the causes of the disorder are not fully understood. There appears to be a variety of causes that are in someway related. Autism usually has a strong effect on social functioning. Cases can range from mild to severe and over the years more and more autistic people, children especially, have been able to attend school in regular classes and thrive in such environments.

DAN! was created in order to address the limitations of available treatments and the understanding of the disorder. The participants wanted to move away from traditional thinking and invent their own paradigm. It seems to have worked! If this approach to the treatment of autism interests you, then you can find out information about how to contact a DAN! practitioner quite easily. The first step is to visit www.autismwebsite for information on DAN! and access to scientifically-researched information on autism. Within the website you will find tons of resources that will give you a better understanding on the mechanizations of autism. There are also a variety of scientific papers and studies that you can review. In addition, there are helpful links to detailed lists of DAN! practitioners in the United States and around the world. There are not just thirty anymore! Since the revelations from the DAN! conference have become public more and more medical professionals around the world have adopted the suggestions the original doctors and scientists discovered.

Not every DAN! practitioner is a medical doctor, although the lion?s share are physicians. However, since the treatments are fairly new there is no information about the competency of the DAN! practitioners. In the future this may become a reality, but the best way to go about finding a DAN! practitioner near you is to do your own research. Ask around. Read up on the topic. This is an important step in helping a loved one with autism and your own education on the topic should come first and foremost. The list of DAN! practitioners can be found at https://www.autismwebsite.com/ari/dan/dan.htm.

If you want to find out more information about DAN! don?t fret. There are a ton of resources on the web that discuss the effectiveness of DAN! and how to go about finding someone who understands the group?s findings and can help you apply it to your loved one. You can find personal stories and testimonials, journalistic articles, and many other resources that stand as a testament to DAN!

Rachel Evans has an interest in Autism. For further information on Autism please visit http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com/autism.html or http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com/blog/2006/09/05/dan-defeat-autism-now/ .

What is Autism and how can it be discovered and treated

                

 

Autism is a general term that is used to cover a number of disorders known as Autism Spectrum disorders. These disorders affect the ones that have them in their interaction and communication with others. Autism was discovered in 1943, but there were very few cases back then. The number of people that suffer from autism greatly increased since it was first discovered, and so did the doctors' and the media's attention on the illness.

Autism can affect anyone, no matter what age, sex, or race they are, and at the moment millions of people, both children and adults are suffering from one form of autism or another throughout the world. If one member of the family has one of the Autism Spectrum Disorders then the whole family will feel the repercussions, financial and social problems will occur and furthermore, it is a great chance that the children of the person who has Autism will also have it because it is transmitted genetically to the ancestors.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder term covers a wide range of affections with different symptoms and manifestations. For example, someone suffering from autism may be a person that doesn't speak and socialize at all. This was encountered in many cases of autism.
Children with autism don't understand what the others are saying, cannot interact with other children and cannot play with them. The affection seriously affects the behavior, some of the patients developed an aggressive defense against anyone who tried to communicate with them, others appeared to develop a special sensitivity to the environment and its changes.

How can autism be detected, does it have any specific symptoms? Well, it's up to the family and the ones around someone with autism spectrum disorders to discover his/her condition. In the children's case the family or the teacher should be the first to notice that a child has a different behavior. These are the signs that can make you suspect a child of autism:
-the child starts to speak at an older age, later than the other children
-he focuses on one single object for hours sometimes
-he can speak words, but until the age of 2-3 years old he does not say a sentence with more than one word in it
-some of the children with autism spectrum disorders don't even respond to their own name when it is called
-the general behavior of the child indicates that he is withdrawn, indifferent and lonely.

A child that was discovered to suffer from autism must follow a special treatment. He must go to a special school where only children with autism learn. There is no known cure for autism, so the only thing that can be done is to help the ones with autism spectrum disorders live a better life.

Unfortunately, the number of people suffering from autism spectrum disorders is continuously increasing. Until the doctors discover a successful treatment, society and family must do anything they can to help them integrate. There are many websites and support groups that try to help the ones with autism.



More informations about autism causes or about child autism can be found by visiting http://www.autism-info-center.com/

Parenting Autism ? Being Your Child?s Primary Resource

                

 

Don?t be Afraid of the Myths and Misconceptions about Autism.

Parents often feel sad, afraid and confused when they learn their child has an autism spectrum disorder, and It?s no wonder -- autism is often portrayed as a grim, lifelong disability, from which there is no hope of recovery.

Of course, these expectations are based on outdated information about people who grew up a generation ago, when only the most severe cases were diagnosed, and treatment was practically nonexistent. Unfortunately, parents are still given this outdated information, presented as if it?s still accurate and relevant in our present day.

These misconceptions lead to more fear, more sadness, limited expectations, and feelings of incompetence in parents about how to best help their child. As a result, some parents rely entirely on other people to work with their child and to make decisions for their child, instead of trusting their own instincts, knowledge, and abilities. Parents are their child?s best resource, yet somehow that?s not the message they?re getting from the experts.

Don?t be Afraid to Believe in Your Child?s Potential.

Each child has their own unique, unknown potential. Everyone who works with your child must believe in his ability to learn, grow, and have a bright future.

With effective intervention, the vast majority of children experience improvement, ranging all the way from slight recovery to complete recovery, and everything in-between. The degree of recovery a child experiences depends primarily on his unique potential, combined with whatever learning opportunities he experiences.

Learning opportunities are not just teaching style and content alone. A child's overall environment and expectations are also an integral part of his learning experience.

Knowing these things, we can do three very powerful things for our child:

1. We can love our child as he is now, and provide a positive, nurturing environment.

2. We can keep a completely open mind as to how far our child can go.

3.We can present lots of positive opportunities for learning and growth.

If we do these things, our child will have the opportunity to truly fulfill his unique potential.

Don?t Be Afraid to Ask Questions.

If your child has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, it?s important to ask questions. Ask as many as you need in order to feel confident in your understanding of the disorder. Even if you get most of your initial questions answered, you may find there are still many questions that no one can answer conclusively, because in many ways autism research is still in its infancy. Researchers are still gathering information regarding cause, prognosis, and what interventions are most effective.

Don?t Be Afraid to Explore Your Options.

Get to know all your options. It takes some time, but continue to seek opinions and advice from people with different backgrounds in autism. Even after your initial questions have been answered, it?s still a good idea to consult with additional people with different types of knowledge and expertise.

For instance, you may want to ask a few different doctors, psychologists, teachers, therapists, and parents with contrasting approaches to autism about their opinions and experience. Our understanding of autism is continually evolving, and one person may have knowledge that another does not.

As you gather more and more relevant information, you will make better and better decisions for your child. Remember, no decision is carved in stone. In fact, you?ll probably change direction and switch approaches a few times, and that?s okay. It?s all part of the process of learning what works best for your child, and adapting to your child?s changing needs.

Don?t Be Afraid to Work with Your Child.

Never believe that the experts have all the answers and that you should not get involved with your child?s treatment program. Talk with the experts to learn more about what you can do at home with your child. Do further research by reading books and articles on autism, attending classes and conferences, and talking to other parents.

You know your child better than anyone else. In addition, you have an undeniable bond with your child that no one else could ever possibly have. Take advantage of your bond to teach your child, build his self-esteem, and explore treatment options you feel will work for your child.

Regardless of their potential, children will seldom go beyond the expectations of their parents. We can't know how far our children can go, but we can take the lid off the box of low expectations, by having faith in their ability to learn, and by providing the loving environment necessary for them to achieve their highest potential.
Sandra Sinclair is a parent of a child with PDD-NOS, and a life coach for parents of children on the autism spectrum. She is author of ?Newly Diagnosed Autism Spectrum?- A free mini-course with 7 clear steps you can take to help your child. http://www.autismvoice.com/blog/7StepstoHelpChildrenwithAutism

Parenting Autism - Being Your Child's Primary Resource

                

 

Don't be Afraid of the Myths and Misconceptions about Autism.

Parents often feel sad, afraid and confused when they learn their child has an autism spectrum disorder, and It's no wonder -- autism is often portrayed as a grim, lifelong disability, from which there is no hope of recovery.

Of course, these expectations are based on outdated information about people who grew up a generation ago, when only the most severe cases were diagnosed, and treatment was practically nonexistent. Unfortunately, parents are still given this outdated information, presented as if it's still accurate and relevant in our present day.

These misconceptions lead to more fear, more sadness, limited expectations, and feelings of incompetence in parents about how to best help their child. As a result, some parents rely entirely on other people to work with their child and to make decisions for their child, instead of trusting their own instincts, knowledge, and abilities. Parents are their child's best resource, yet somehow that's not the message they're getting from the experts.

Don't be Afraid to Believe in Your Child's Potential.

Each child has their own unique, unknown potential. Everyone who works with your child must believe in his ability to learn, grow, and have a bright future.

With effective intervention, the vast majority of children experience improvement, ranging all the way from slight recovery to complete recovery, and everything in-between. The degree of recovery a child experiences depends primarily on his unique potential, combined with whatever learning opportunities he experiences.

Learning opportunities are not just teaching style and content alone. A child's overall environment and expectations are also an integral part of his learning experience.

Knowing these things, we can do three very powerful things for our child:

1. We can love our child as he is now, and provide a positive, nurturing environment.

2. We can keep a completely open mind as to how far our child can go.

3.We can present lots of positive opportunities for learning and growth.

If we do these things, our child will have the opportunity to truly fulfill his unique potential.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions.

If your child has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, it's important to ask questions. Ask as many as you need in order to feel confident in your understanding of the disorder. Even if you get most of your initial questions answered, you may find there are still many questions that no one can answer conclusively, because in many ways autism research is still in its infancy. Researchers are still gathering information regarding cause, prognosis, and what interventions are most effective.

Don't Be Afraid to Explore Your Options.

Get to know all your options. It takes some time, but continue to seek opinions and advice from people with different backgrounds in autism. Even after your initial questions have been answered, it's still a good idea to consult with additional people with different types of knowledge and expertise.

For instance, you may want to ask a few different doctors, psychologists, teachers, therapists, and parents with contrasting approaches to autism about their opinions and experience. Our understanding of autism is continually evolving, and one person may have knowledge that another does not.

As you gather more and more relevant information, you will make better and better decisions for your child. Remember, no decision is carved in stone. In fact, you'll probably change direction and switch approaches a few times, and that's okay. It's all part of the process of learning what works best for your child, and adapting to your child's changing needs.

Don't Be Afraid to Work with Your Child.

Never believe that the experts have all the answers and that you should not get involved with your child's treatment program. Talk with the experts to learn more about what you can do at home with your child. Do further research by reading books and articles on autism, attending classes and conferences, and talking to other parents.

You know your child better than anyone else. In addition, you have an undeniable bond with your child that no one else could ever possibly have. Take advantage of your bond to teach your child, build his self-esteem, and explore treatment options you feel will work for your child.

Regardless of their potential, children will seldom go beyond the expectations of their parents. We can't know how far our children can go, but we can take the lid off the box of low expectations, by having faith in their ability to learn, and by providing the loving environment necessary for them to achieve their highest potential.

Sandra Sinclair is a parent of a child with PDD-NOS, and a life coach for parents of children on the autism spectrum. She is author of "Newly Diagnosed Autism Spectrum"- A free mini-course with 7 clear steps you can take to help your child. http://www.autismvoice.com/blog/7StepstoHelpChildrenwithAutism

Dealing With Autism In Public

                

 

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects roughly one out of 100 children. It is characterized by a lack of ability to function socially and in more severe cases, the process of communication.

Discovering that your child has autism can be a traumatic experience. Oftentimes, parents may believe there is something developmentally wrong with their child, but accepting that autism is the culprit can be difficult to say the least. Accepting that your child is autistic and getting him the help he needs is just the beginning. There are many other factors that go into parenting an autistic child.

At first, having an autistic child can be embarrassing for some parents. Autistic children do not have the same social skills as most of their peers. They are often prone to fits of anger and violence due to their inability to properly communicate. Oftentimes, these ?tantrums? occur in public.

There are many people that do not understand the first thing about autism. This means that they are more likely to make rude or insensitive comments about autistic people. People, on the whole, are an understanding bunch, although there are plenty of people who will make insensitive comments, ask inappropriate questions, and even stare at autistic children.

The first instinct for many parents may be to meet this insensitivity with anger. This is not the best approach. Consider that the person who makes an insensitive comment is ignorant to what autism is. They just don?t know any better!

What you should do as a parent, is try to ignore the comments if possible. This may be easier said than done, but it falls upon you to be the voice of reason. In addition, you should always focus on providing a good example for your child. Remember, the well-being and safety of your child is paramount. Everything else is secondary.

If ignoring rudeness is impossible, you should approach confrontation with the aim to educate. If someone understands that your child is autistic they will be less likely to make any further comments.

In addition, it is a good idea to have a plan when you go out in public. Understand the types of situations that can upset your child and do your best to avoid these circumstances whenever possible. It is also a good idea to keep a journal of your child?s behaviors and cross-reference them with locations. This will allow you to understand the triggers for bouts of violent or aggressive behavior.

To minimize disruptive behavior, think about the particular outing you have planned and what the worst case scenario would be and then plan for it. Take along a favorite toy or snack for placating your child, if they do ?act out? or make unusual movements/noises have some stock answers at the ready i.e ?Sam has autism and lots of people/noises/new environments upset him. His movements/noises helps him cope with stressful situations?. Try going out in small groups of friends or family who know your child and can help you cope with any public outbursts or comments from strangers.

Dealing with autism in public is not an easy task. There are many people out there who will make judgments, comments, and other rude gestures at your child. Parents of other ?normal? children may also make insensitive comments. This is a negative part of human nature ? but it is impossible for you to change it. What you can do is to provide information about the disorder and offer insight that will help others understand. If this does not work do not initiate a confrontation, as that will probably only upset your child and probably attract further attention.

Rachel Evans has an interest in Autism. For further information on Autism please visit http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com/autism.html or http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com/blog/2006/08/29/dealing-with-autism-in-public/ .

Knowing The Symptoms Of Autism

                

 

Autism is a very confusing disorder that tends to affect a persons attention, perception, and thought. There is no clear definition of the symptoms of autisms, because it manifests in different people in many different ways. The manifestation could be from mild symptoms all the way to severe symptoms and everywhere in between. Behavior patterns are most notable when it comes to autism. Generally speaking, those suffering from any autism disorder will have behavior that is inconsistent to what is deemed appropriate for their specific age level.

Known as a pervasive developmental disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association, the disorder is difficult to diagnose in patients thanks to the broadness of symptoms associated with this particular disorder. The diagnosis of autism usually occurs when the patient shows at least six of the twelve outlined symptoms of autism in regards to behavior, communication, and social interaction.

Behavior

For diagnostic purposes, the individual must possess at least two of the four listed symptoms of autism:

1. Is extensively preoccupied with restricted and stereotyped interest patterns that appear to be abnormal, due to focus or intensity.

2. Repetitive and stereotyped motor skills such as difficult movements of the entire body, twisting fingers, flapping fingers, or flapping hands.

3. Extensively preoccupied with specific object parts and pieces.

4. Does not associate well with rituals or specific routines.

Communication

For diagnostic purposes, the individual must possess at least one of the four listed symptoms of autism:

1. Lack of or delay in spoken language development. If the delay or lack of language skills is unaccompanied by any attempts of compensation, through other communication modes. For example, mime or gestures.

2. Has proper spoken language development with the inability to sustain or initiate in general conversation with peers, doctors, and family members.

3. Repetitive and stereotyped use of idiosyncratic language or language.

4. In ability to participate in social imitation playing or make-believe playing, spontaneously, in regards to their level of development.

Social Interaction

For diagnostic purposes, the individual must possess at least two of the four listed symptoms of autism:

1. Impairment is marked by using a variety of behaviors in a non-verbal manner. For example, social interaction gestures, body posture, facial expressions, and gazing eye-to-eye.

2. Has the inability to properly develop relationship with his or her peers in a many that is appropriate for their age and level of development.

3. Inability to spontaneously share with others in their achievements, interests, and enjoyment.

4. Inability to participate actively within social environments such as games or playing. The patient prefers to remain in solitude, when playing or taking part in activities. Other people are only involved as aids or tools in their play.

As you can see from the above, it is extremely difficult to diagnose a person even when some of the symptoms of autism are present. It is ultimately important to speak with your physician about your concerns and have your child tested for any one of the autism disorders, if you feel they are showing symptoms of autism.

Melody Franks works in the medical field and writes articles related to health and wellness. She regularly submits articles to Be Strong Live Long and The Search for Wellness.

A Review of Autism Research

                

 

The surprisingly high rate of the condition known as autism is reported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be one in 166 children. Most people find it even a bit scary, especially ones who have never been exposed to statistics or to anyone affected by this condition. The lack of publicity on the problem causes troubles to autism research, as those research funds are being diverted to other causes with much bigger publicity as cancer and heart disease. We don't try to say that those are not important, we just say that with such a high rate of people affected by autism it should be considered a worthy cause too.

Despite the high number of affected children, their parents often complain about the lack of intensity in that research if any is done nowadays. Of the total amount of the National Health Budget, which adds up to $30 million, the part that goes to autism research is as tiny as two thirds of a percent, according to Mr. Wright of Autism Speaks. And that is not at all enough, according to the affected ones and their relatives.

That foundation called Autism Speaks, is trying to raise research funds that most people hope will eventually provide a cure for that disease. Such a cure for autism will not only help children escape their trapped worlds but will help their families too.

At this time one of the most important factors that are being handled in autism research, is determining the cause of that disease, because you first need to know what causes that condition in order to be able to cure it.

Although not many of the researchers believe it there are some who think that there is a relation between exposure to mercury and autism. Having the autism research focused in parts on environmental factors too is good but of course an adequate funding is necessary in order to reach any further in the search of autism's actual cause.

Some of the projects for autism research concentrate their efforts on analyzing high-functioning autistic toddlers. As these children still can not speak well enough due to their early age, the tests they are given are non-verbal and are made with the use of a computer. The age of the children which are chosen for those tests is 18 months to 2 years as this is the age when the basis of everybody's character is formed. The aim is to be studied how the information is assimilated by autistic children and what is their development during these early years of their lives.

Tests are also made with children who have autistic brothers or sisters. Thus a comparison can be made between an autistic child and his siblings provided that they have one and the same living conditions and are exposed to the same environmental conditions and stimuli. Unfortunately the chance for a child with an autistic brother or sister to become autistic himself is higher and this fact is used by researchers. What they want to do is to have a control group of children with autistic siblings which to examine from the moment they were born. Researchers hope that thus they can gather a lot of useful information.

In spite of all the above mentioned efforts, there is a long way to be passed in order to find a cure. This main aim can be only reached with doing much more researches that of course will require much bigger funding.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning science and research. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Autism Research

20 Parent Tips To A Tantrum-Free Haircut For A Child With Autism

                

 

Does your child act out or tantrum during a haircut? As a mother of an adolescent child with autism, I can certainly identify with those of you whose children do not tolerate haircuts very well. This article will hopefully lead to more tantrum-free haircuts.

As our son reached his first birthday and beyond, his hair began to grow longer. I would braid his hair twice a week. Eventually, he would lie down on my lap falling asleep while I braided. He wore his hair this way until shortly after his third birthday.

With all the combing and braiding, we were quite surprised to discover after his first haircut at age three, that our son had become highly sensitive to anyone or anything touching his head.

At this time, we didn't know yet that our son had autism. We did know he had a speech delay. He was also beginning to show some really odd behaviors. For example, he began behaving like our new puppy, and became fascinated with our steam iron.

Mostly he was a happy toddler, easy to please and smiled often. At age three he began communicating any unhappiness to us with a long, loud and high-pitched scream. By this time he did not talk at all, never pointed and would walk around our house clutching a plastic coat hanger.

He began closing any open doors, turning the lights on and off, and lining his toys up in a single row. Screaming loudly, he would tantrum if you dared to move any of his toys out of place.

We came to realize he was now also highly sensitive to certain noises. Low humming and high-pitched sounds made him very anxious and uncomfortable. While he was actually attracted to other loud sounds, like our garden tractor.

Years later, we learned he is hyperacusis in his right ear, and borderline in his left ear, meaning he has a hypersensitivity to sounds.

He was now also sensitive to light and needed to wear sunglasses or at least a sun visor whenever he was outdoors. He began blinking his eyes rapidly before having a meltdown. Later when he learned to talk, he told us he was 'making lightning'.

Our son has many sensory issues. He has trouble sitting still and following directions during haircut time. He would become non-compliant and resistant, covering his head with his hands, moving his head quickly from side-to-side, and would cry.

Over the years our son has been to many different barbers. Some of them were more patient with a difficult young client than others.

Sometimes while getting a haircut he would grab your hands or even try to smack you away from him. Often times, it would take at least two of us to manage the situation.

Mostly these sessions would grow worse, and ultimately lead to a full-blown tantrum, or meltdown. His barbers usually found these behaviors to be way too stressful. Eventually it became obvious that both our son and the barbers were miserable whenever we bought him in for a haircut.

My husband believing he had no choice, finally took on a new 'trade.' He learned through trial and error how to cut our son's hair. These experiences were filled with nervous tension. They were terribly stressful and unpleasant times for all of us.

Time and experience soon taught us how to prepare our son to get a haircut. Then later, learn to tolerate a haircut without having a tantrum or meltdown. Today haircuts are readily accepted by our son as part of his bi-weekly grooming routine.


Sensory Problems and Autism

In Autism Spectrum Disorders, the brain seems unable to balance the senses appropriately. It is common for a child with autism to have sensory problems. He may be hypoactive (low sensitivity) or hyper-reactive (high sensitivity) or lack the ability to combine the senses.

Autistic children often have a "fight or flight" response to sensation. This condition is called "sensory defensiveness" and may be diagnosed as a "sensory processing disorder."

A child with autism can be sensitive to many things, like the noise clippers make, the sensation of cutting hair, feeling loose hairs on their body, seeing hair fall on their clothing, or even the floor. Our son told us it also hurts to get a haircut.

When children's perceptions are accurate, they can learn from what they see, feel, or hear. On the other hand, if sensory information is faulty, their experiences of the world can be confusing. Many autistic children are highly attuned or even painfully sensitive to certain sounds, textures, tastes, and smells.

Sensory integration therapy may help desensitize a child. This type of therapy can be provided by an occupational, physical or speech therapist, helping a child to better rearrange his sensory information.

We have found 'desensitizing' our child to be key to a tantrum-free haircut and wish to share our 'tried and true' ideas and tips with you.

Remember to take long, deep breaths and try to be really patient. Don't worry, you will do fine.

Best wishes and good luck!

Tip #1

1. Take each haircut session one at a time. Observe your child, take notes if necessary. You will learn more about your child each time.

Tip #2

2. Buy a good quality home haircutting kit. Look for clippers with blade guards to avoid cutting the hair too short.

Tip #3

3. Use unscented shampoo and conditioner if your child is sensitive to smells or odors. African-American children may use hair pomade or other scalp conditioner to moisturize the hair. Before you begin a haircut wash the hair to remove any hair products build-up. Cutting clean, dry hair with clippers is much faster. The hair will cut easier. Some children do not like having their hair washed. Our son will not lean his head all the way back. So we began washing his hair with a sudsy shampoo on a washcloth, and rinse using a washcloth damp with clear water. We would condition his hair the same way. Now he is able to wash his hair on his own.

Tip #4

4. Schedule a haircut when your child is least likely to be 'sensory overloaded' or feeling overwhelmed by the information he is taking in through the five senses: hearing, vision, touch, smell and taste. Try to avoid scheduling haircuts after school or when your child is ill or tired. Our son appears to be most autistic in the morning. So we do not plan to cut his hair then, preferring to do it later in the day.

Tip #5

5. For a child that is sensitive to the buzzing noise of the clippers or the repeated 'snap' of a scissor, try using soft, flexible ear plugs. Does your child like to sing? Sing a song. Play some of their favorite music.

Tip #6

6. Develop a routine for haircuts. Does your child need a haircut or trim every week, every other week or monthly? Try to schedule them for the same day of the week and time of day whenever possible. For example, every other Saturday morning. Be consistent.

Tip #7

7. Think of a few activities, toys or food your child really enjoys to use as his special reward or bonus. What does he like to do? What makes him happy?

Tip #8

8. Explain to your child exactly what you are planning to do during the haircut. Use short sentences and/or visual supports using personal pictures or icons. Take a picture while your child is getting a haircut. Take a picture of all the items used. You may also use icons or PECS.

Tip #9

9. Be sure your child has a cape, sheet or towel draped over him. Our son hates having any hair fall on his face, body or clothing. He covers his face with a hand towel to keep those fine, cut hairs off his face.

Tip #10

10. Under supervision allow your child to handle the clippers and other items used for the haircut. At home, allow him to help you prepare for it. For example, the child gets a towel, and the comb or brush. Teach him how to clean the clippers. For example, brush off any loose hairs from the blade and oil the clippers. This can be a good motivator and is fun.

Tip #11

11. Observe your child while cutting his hair. Is there anything in particular he dislikes or finds intolerable? If so, try to make it better.

Tip #12

12. Allow your child to give an old doll or teddy bear a haircut while their own hair is being cut. This may help your child learn to generalize the experience. You or the barber can also use the doll or teddy bear to demonstrate what it is you need or expect your child to do. For example, act out directions to 'turn your head to the right' or 'bend your head down.' These are strong visual cues and may be better understood.

Tip #13

13. Unless your child is better able to tolerate a haircut, keep their hairstyles simple. For example, 'fades' and 'parts' may take longer to cut. Try the 'Caesar' style which is a low even-blended cut all around the head.

Tip #14

14. Focus on the task at hand. Try to cut hair as fast as you can without rushing. For example, do not dawdle. Try not to stop cutting hair to talk to others, in person or on the phone.

Tip #15

15. Edge the front, sides and nape of the neck first for a 'shape-up' then cut the hair. Should your child not tolerate a haircut before you or the barber is done, a shape-up will give him a clean, fresh haircut look, even if the hair has not been entirely cut.

Tip #16

16. Reassure your child during the haircut. Explain each step of the way in a slow, steady voice. For example, 'Good job keeping your head still.' 'All done, after...' Let your child know that the is near. This step may be faded out gradually as your child becomes familiar with the process.

Tip #17

17. Once the haircut is done, admire your child's clean-cut appearance. 'You look handsome!' Show him how he looks in the mirror, if tolerated. Take before and after photos so they can see the benefits. Use this opportunity to begin to teach him how to comb and brush his own hair.

Tip #18

18. Remember to give your child a reward or bonus that he will enjoy. Give your child a choice for their bonus. A reward or bonus will show him that although we must do unpleasant things sometimes, at other times we get to do things that we enjoy.

Tip #19

19. At home, use this opportunity to teach other daily living skills, particularly hygiene and grooming. For example, your child may learn how to undress/dress, shower or take a bath independently (run his own bath water at the right temperature, wash his body properly, determine how long to stay in the shower or tub, clean the shower/tub, put his dirty clothes away, use deodorant, choose an appropriate outfit to wear, etc.

Tip #20

20. Other lessons and tasks on daily living activities may be expanded in time as appropriate. For example, your child may help put items away, clean and oil the clippers, sweep or vacuum hair off the floor, put their dirty clothes and towels in the hamper or washing machine. Learn to sort laundry, load and wash his clothes, put clothes in the dryer, fold clothing, learn to iron, etc.

Parent Resources

Click here to read more about a child with autism, find information on autism, autism treatment, autism medication, autism resources, autism symptom, sign of autism, autism characteristics, autism aspergers, autism statistics, history of autism, autism education, autism schools, teaching child with autism, autism in the inclusive classroom, autism support group, autism awareness, adult with autism, autism picture and autism help.


Additional Resources

Below is a list of books, articles and useful products we use to learn how to help our son become better able to process sensory information and grow to better tolerate getting haircuts, and become more independent.


Books on Sensory Integration

The Out of Sync Child
by Carol Stock Kranowitz
ISBN: 0-399-52386-3


The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun
(Activities for Kids with Sensory Integration Dysfunction)
by Carol Stock Kranowitz
ISBN: 0-399-52843-1

Books on Activity Schedules and Visual Supports

Activity Schedules for Children with Autism
(Teaching Independent Behavior)
by Lynnn E. McClannahan, Ph.D. & Patricia J. Krantz, Ph.D.
ISBN: 0-933149-93-X

Making Visual Supports Work in the Home and Community
(Strategies for Individuals with Autism and Asperger Syndrome)
by Jennifer L. Savner & Brenda Smith Myles
ISBN: 0-9672514-6-X

Videos to Help Your Child Learn in Their Natural Environment

Model Me Kids: Videos For Teaching Social Skills by Peer Example



Developmental Products to Help Teach Life Skills

Visit Attainment Company and http://www.attainmentcompany.com/AB1031005/showprod.cfm?&DID=11&CATID=3&ObjectGroup_ID=8&AF_ID=49"> click here for Life Skills



Free or Low Cost Materials

Do 2 Learn offers free picture icons you can download to make visual schedules and to-do lists for your children.



Articles

Home Activities for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder offers parents good ideas for incorporating sensory input into daily activities.



Parent Networking and Support

Sensory Integration Dysfunction

Sensory Integration Disorder Group W.R. Brown is wife, mother of four children, grandmother, volunteer, presenter at parent support groups, member of local autism support groups, national autism organizations, former legal assistant, service coordinator, served as Board member to non-profit organizations, autism Advisory Groups, appeared on Cable 6 TV and XM Radio One.