How to Balance an Autism Diet

                

 

There are many autistic children who are very picky eaters and have odd autism diet foibles. This is not just another problem with behavior, though it might seem like it at first. This is often something that happens for simpler reasons, and some of them are correctable.

A child who is not eating enough of the right foods is not getting the nutritional intake they need to remain healthy, and parents must do what they can to establish a more balanced diet.

There are times when there is a medical reason behind the picky eating, and it might mean talking to a doctor about nutrition and how to make sure the right foods are in a child?s diet.

Some children who won?t eat are simply not hungry. Sometimes this is just the way it is, but more often than not, there may be a medication to blame. Some children with autism also have ADHD and they may be on mediations for that purpose. Some of the medications for this condition will suppress appetite, along with others drugs like antibiotics. If this is the suspected problem, there may be alternative medications that can be given that will not have the same affect on the child?s hunger. Talk to your doctor about this.

There are also some autistic children that have very sensitive digestive systems. They may have problems with acid reflux, and this can make eating hard for them.

They may also have problems in the intestines that lead to constipation, loose stools, or gas and bloating. They learn to associate these feelings with eating, and that makes them not want to eat.

In this case, it might just take something as simple as a course of acid reflux medication to get them feeling better and eating more. As a natural alternative you could try ginger to help soothe the system, ask your doctor for more advice.

Sometimes eating is not something a child looks forward to because they have poor motor skills and can?t get the foods into their mouth with ease, and they may have problems with chewing and swallowing. They may gag or choke and they will avoid eating to avoid those things. When that happens, therapy sessions with a oral-motor therapist might be the answer to the child?s eating problems.

Some children simply cannot stand the textures of foods, and they may be hyper sensitive to almost all sensations associated with eating. Finding a way to desensitize the mouth can help, and quite often liquids can be taken in by the use of a straw.

Keep reading to sign up for the free Autism newsletter that addresses the signs and symptoms of autism and discover natural treatment options available, as well as more information on the link between diet and autism.

When parents have concerns, they need to consult with their physician about what they should do first. New medications might be found that will not affect the appetite, and there may be additional medications that can help with an upset digestive system.

There are supplements that a doctor might suggest to restore balance and give important vitamins and minerals. Sometimes little things can help restore a good autism diet to help a child remain healthy and strong, but before giving supplements, it is important to find out how much they should have and how often they should have it.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter for more information on autism diet. In the newsletter you'll find out more about the signs and symptoms of autism.

Treatment In Cases Of Autism

                

 

Treatment for autism cases is quite variable this days. Choosing a specific way of treating someone is done according to some factors : the behavior of the patient, the development stage in witch he is and possible medications that that person can take. In trying to treat children with autism parents and doctors must do the best they can with what is available for them. Each child must have a specific program just for him in order to have a good chance of combating the disease.

Beginning to treat the most early of symptoms is very crucial in all patients; left untreated some behaviors may later on need extreme measures. It is well documented that children with autism may at one point or another start developing aggressive behaviors. The most early of treatments is needed if chances exist in preventing medication usage later on or even institutionalization.

The family must be very strong and organized when dealing with autistic children. The members must try the best they can to make the child change its behavior and not the other way around. If the family becomes behaviorally disrupted chances for the child patient to ever become normal and to be accepted is society drop drastically.

Sometimes family members must be quite harsh or severe in their attempts of changing the behavior of the autistic child. Still they must do their best in changing any particular behavior pattern in the child that is potentially correctable. This days certain treatments exist in facilitating the patients cure. This way they can use treatments that include ABA, either speech therapy or behavioral therapy and of course special education.

The medication use in autistic children must also be researched ahead of time because the reaction to the drugs can be very unexpected and different from other drugs. Each drug has its specific role in combating this awful illness. In the cases of hyperactive children some drugs are available to reduce their physical activities and thus improve the attention span towards education and treatment.

Certain aggressive compulsive behaviors may be treated by administering antidepressants. This kind of medicine greatly increases the levels of serotonin in the brain of the patient. Studies have showed that in comparison to other placebo treatments, the usage of antidepressants has proven very effective. They are considered to be the safest medication available now.

Different treatment do exist at this time and they include integration training, vitamin and mineral treatments and some injections that have yet to be revealed. Cases have been known where children suffering from this disease improve spontaneously. Studies must be done in order to see better if the changes where as a result of treatment or just an abnormal reaction of the autistic patient.

For greater resources on Autism or especially about autism symptoms please click this link http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-symptoms.htm

Can Adults Be Diagnosed With Autism?

                

 

Though we have known about Autism for a while now, much of it is still misunderstood. The classic form of autism has been known for quite some time, and when someone has it, it is rather obvious. However, the higher functioning type of autism known as Asperger?s is a something that the medical community is just now learning a lot about. It was not understood for a long time, and was often misdiagnosed. Since this condition has not been historically recognized by the medical community for a long time, the question seems to be, ?Can adults be diagnosed with autism??

The answer to that question is yes. However, this can be hard. There are some doctors who do not really think that Asperger?s is a real condition, or they simply do not have the knowledge they need to diagnose a child or an adult. Generally speaking, those with high functioning autism can slip under the radar. Parents might not think there is anything wrong other than their child is a little different. They chalk this up to personality and don?t consider there might be something else going on.

Because high functioning patients with autism often blend in rather well, they might go undetected for a very long time. Others in their life might think they are a little odd, and may find them to be shy or socially awkward. Otherwise, they are intelligent and independent, and seem much like anyone else. They are probably going through their own personal trials however, and may be diagnosed with different mental conditions like depression or OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). They probably find that even though they can socialize some, they would rather be alone.

An adult with autism can display many traits that others use to label them as different. These are mostly related to their socialization skills. They often don?t understand humor or double meanings very well. They often talk about inappropriate topics, and repeat themselves quite a lot. They may have nervous tics, and have problems with eye contact. They are also very exacting, but have problems with motor skills and are considered to be clumsy. They also have severe anxiety that bubbles away and surfaces frequently.

If you or someone you know has problems such as these, there may be a chance that they have a form of Autism. Someone who suspects they might have this condition might feel better if they are properly diagnosed, and it might help those around them understand them a lot better. There are some websites that offer tests a person can take online, and there are resources for choosing a doctor.

The first stop might be to go talk to someone. If a doctor will not take the query seriously, it is time to move on to another doctor until one is found who will help. Once diagnosed, there are many groups that offer support and help for those struggling with autism. Can adults be diagnosed with autism? Certainly. Do they have a hard time finding a doctor that will listen? Sometimes, but it?s worth persevering.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter for more information on aspergers.In the newsletter you'll find out more about the signs and symptoms of autism.

Can Adults Be Diagnosed With Autism Later In Life?

                

 

Autism has been around for many years as specific condition but hasn?t always well understood by the medical community and for some people their condition has been misdiagnosed. Though the classic form of autism is something that is often quite obvious in a child, there are high functioning autism types like Asperger?s that can be thought to be something else entirely. This form is just now being understood, and many who have had it their whole lives are just now learning that this is the case. It seems to make the answer to the questions pertaining to can adults be diagnosed with autism rather simple.

Adults can most certainly be diagnosed with autism. It can be a tough journey though, as many doctors don?t like the Asperger?s condition, and think it is highly blown out of proportion. Others just don?t have the knowledge to accurately diagnose children and adults with higher functioning forms of autism. So, it was something that went unnoticed for a very long time. Most parents and doctors assumed the child was different or ?shy? but that was all the further thought that was put into the situation. These children are now adults and starting to question those assumptions.

This form of high functioning autism has gone undetected, and many adults tend to blend rather well, which is something that those with classic autism cannot do. Though the high functioning adults have jobs and lives, and are intelligent, they can be socially awkward, as it is something that doesn?t come easily for most.

They may have communication problems that cause friction at work and in personal relationships, and they are frustrated because they don?t know why these sorts of interactions don?t come as easily to them as to others. Some people are even wrongly told that they have conditions like Obsessive Compulsive disorder. Because of frustration and anxiety regarding socialization, many have become often loners.

There are other clues that an adult might have autism. Their social awkwardness comes in different degrees. Many cannot understand humor, and are very literal in their interpretation of figures of speech. They cannot understand when someone is teasing them, as they take all words at the most literal level. They may have nervous twitches when anxious, and they also tend to have motor impairment. They can get upset and anxious quite easily, and quite often.

Anyone who suspects that they, or someone they know, has these problems and who wants to know can an adult be diagnosed with autism, it is a good idea to go in to see a doctor for evaluation. Sometimes you might have a hard time finding a doctor to take your concerns seriously, but that just means you have to keep looking.

Though there is no cure, a diagnosis can help a patient feel less anxious about why they are different, and they can also take advantage of some programs that can help improve the quality of their life. There are some tests online that may answer the question of can adults be diagnosed with autism. You can take the tests to see if you fit the profile, and then share this information with your doctor if you wish. This might help a physician understand what is going on and how to best help.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter about aspergers and discover more on the signs and symptoms of autism

Art Therapy For High Functioning Autism How To Get Started

                

 

People who have high functioning autism can be taught at an early age to express themselves through different forms of therapy. In order to lead relatively normal lives, a high functioning autistic requires a certain level of social skills. The development of these skills can be accomplished through a number of therapies including play therapy, social skilled classes or groups, psychotherapy, social stories and expressive therapies.

One expressive therapy that has proven to be quite beneficial is art therapy. Art therapy can help an autistic develop social response by allowing them to express their emotions through art. This form of complimentary therapy may be an ideal way for an autistic to develop social skills.

What is art therapy? It is a therapy that involves using a number of various art materials such as paints, batik (a way to dye fabric), clay, etc. as a method of expressing thoughts or feelings through visual representation. Art therapy is based on psychological research and theory that art is naturally therapeutic. This therapy takes into account the behaviors, thoughts and feelings experienced by those with high functioning autism and other disorders.

Art therapy allows an individual to explore various issues including those that involve family, relationships, life change, loss, abuse and overall development. It may be carried out as a group process or individual counsel. The artwork that is created during therapy may be of spontaneous creations or based on suggestion provided by a therapist.

What are the benefits of art therapy? Art therapy has many benefits, especially for an autistic because it doesn?t rely on verbal or language skills, is a fun activity, and does not require any art skill or experience. The following is a list of other benefits -

?Increases self awareness
?Develops social skills
?Changes behaviors
?Develops problem solving strategies
?Allows an individual to engage in creative thinking in a safe environment
?Allows an individual to focus solely on the activity at hand and shut out other thoughts that may be intrusive.

Keep in mind that all of the above positive outcomes of art therapy may not be experienced by someone with high functioning autism. Remember, not every autistic functions the same.

Where can I find and art therapist and what should I look for? If an individual with high functioning autism is interested in art therapy, an art therapist will need to be sought out. An art therapist can practice in a number of environments, but can usually be found in psychiatric or general hospitals. They may work in oncology or geriatric wards, schools, rehabilitation centers, and counseling centers. The best way for you to find an art therapist locally, is to speak to your child?s health care provider or call your hospital.

When choosing a therapist, keep the following in mind:

?Find out about their education background and where they received training
?Find out if they have previous experience with high functioning autism patients
?Ask what types of therapeutic approach do they use
?Ask what to expect during a lesson

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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

Exploring Treatment Options for Patients with Autism

                

 

Although there is no known cure for autism, a combination of specialized treatment and education programs can often help many patients. The most common autism treatment options involve both occupational and physical therapy. Occupational therapy helps improve independent function and teaches patients basic skills such as buttoning a shirt or bathing - while physical therapy involves using exercise and other physical measures such as using massage and heat in order to help patients control body movements. Other common autism treatment options include: * Behavior modification * Communication therapy * Dietary modifications * Medication Behavior modification: There are several methods of behavior modification that are used to treat autistic patients. Most behavior modification principles are based on the theory that rewarded behavior is more likely to be repeated than behavior that is ignored. For instance, Sensory integration therapy is a type of behavior modification that focuses on helping autistic patients cope with different sensory stimulation. The treatment may include having the patient handle materials with different textures or listen to different sounds. Play therapy is yet another type of behavior modification used to improve emotional development. Play therapy most often helps patients understand and cope with their own feelings and involves adult-child interaction that is controlled by the child. Along the same lines, another behavior modification technique called "social stories" can also prove helpful in improving an autism patient's undeveloped social skills. Using social stories helps a patient better understand their feelings, ideas, as well as the points of view of others, and may suggest to the patient an alternate response to a particular situation. Communication therapy Many other alternate treatment options for autistic patients involve the use of communication therapy Communication therapy is used to treat autistic patients who are unable to communicate verbally, or to it may be used to initiate language development in young children with the disorder. Today, clinical studies show that Video Modeling Therapy Programs are highly effective in teaching children with autism. One such program entitled "Special Kids" (www.specialkids.com) was pioneered by a father of a boy with autism, Special Kids maintains a distribution to over 500 different school systems within the USA as well as 30 different countries. The program helps children with a variety of developmental, cognitive and learning disabilities acquire speech, reading, writing, early academics, personal hygiene, self-help, social and play skills. Another program, called 'Safety Harbor' is the brainchild of two school therapists, Anne Pesacov and Betty Dixon, as well as teaching artist Emily Harris. This series of eight workshops is designed to teach social skills to children with Asperger's syndrome through the use of puppets. To learn more about puppet-assisted relationship therapy, contact Betty S. Dixon of Tampa at (813) 431-9790, Emily Harris of Tarpon Springs at (727) 934-5890 or Anne Pesacov of Safety Harbor at (727) 738-9232. The use of music has also proven to be an effective communication therapy for autism patients. Professor Tony Wigram. Head of PhD Studies in Music Therapy at the Institute for Music and Music Therapy at the University of Aalborg, Denmark has authored several books on the subject. He has concluded that since music therapy can be easily adjusted to an individual child's strengths and weaknesses it is often quite helpful in improving patient's deficiencies in social and communication skills Yet another alternate treatment option for patients with autism is the use of Dolphin Assisted Therapy. The foundation of the Dolphin Assisted Therapy program in dates back to Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and the Black Sea. This field of medicine has shown extraordinary results in relation to the conventional methods of treatments such as prescribed medication. An overview of Dolphin Assisted Therapy is available at : http://www.dolphinassistedtherapy.com/ Dietary modifications Autism is not caused by diet so the use of dietary modifications and supplements to treat the disorder is somewhat controversial. Changing the diet or adding vitamin supplements may improve digestion and eliminate food intolerances or allergies, which may contribute to behavioral problems in autistic patients. Scientific Researchers have discovered the byproducts found in wheat, oats and rye (gluten) and casein (protein in dairy products) have appeared at elevated levels in patients with autism. This may suggest that the digestion of these substances may affect brain function. However, eliminating foods that contain gluten and casein from the diet may cause side effects and should not be done without the advice of a health care practitioner. Studies have also shown that vitamin B, magnesium and cod liver oil supplements (which contain vitamins A and D) may improve behavior, eye contact, attention span, and learning in autistic patients. Vitamin C has been shown to improve depression and lessen the severity of symptoms in patients with autism. The DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Protocol is another dietary modification program gaining popularity. The protocol involves a combination of changes to the diet and implementation of vitamin supplement therapy in order to produce changes in autistic behaviors. These diet changes include eliminating certain dairy and grains while supplementing the patient's diet with the vitamin and mineral therapy. An overview of the DAN Protocol is available at : http://autism.about.com/cs/medicaltreatments/a/danprotocol_2.htm Medication Medication may be also be used to treat various symptoms of autism and can also be used to help other conditions that may accompany the disorder. Depression, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and anxiety may be treated using antidepressants. These drugs often reduce the frequency and intensity of repetitive behavior; decrease irritability, tantrums, and aggression; and improve eye contact and responsiveness. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium?), lorazepam (Ativan?), and alprazolam (Xanax?) can also be used to treat behavioral problems. While antipsychotic medications such as clozapine (Clozaril?), risperidone (Risperdal?), olanzapine (Zyprexa?), and quetiapine (Seroquel?) may decrease hyperactivity, behavioral problems, withdrawal, and aggression in autistic patients Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin?), amphetamine (Adderall?), and dextroamphetamine (Dexedine?) may also be prescribed for autism. These drugs may increase focus and decrease impulsive behavior and hyperactivity in patients. It's best to consult a medical expert before considering any medications as the patient's medical history needs to be taken into consideration as well as possible side effects. For more information on anything Autism, have a stop, at the one stop shop http://www.autismtoday.com/