The Ongoing Mercury Contamination And Autism Debate

                

 

Classic autism was first studied and documented in the 1930s and 40s. Since then, ongoing research has yet to pinpoint an exact cause or cure. Some wonder if our lifestyle has something to do with the high numbers of children who are being diagnosed with one form or another of this condition each year. Is it just better diagnostics leading to the increased number of cases, or is something else might be the problem. There are many theories, though none have been proven. One theory suggests that mercury contamination and autism are closely tied together.

Though mercury can come from many places, the main problem seems to be the regular vaccinations that are commonly given in childhood. These shots are required for most children to enter school, and protect against diseases that were once dangerous. These life threatening disease are almost nonexistent now thanks to those vaccinations.

However, it?s not the vaccine that has people worried, but rather a preservative called Thimerosal that is used in some of them. Some vaccinations come in larger bottles which contain more than one dose. This preservative is used to keep the vaccine free from contaminants. The problem with Thimerosal is that is one half mercury in content.

Most people know that mercury can be toxic. The link that some make with this and autism is constantly questioned. Some recent research on autism links weakened immune system ?biomarker? as being present in children who are more likely to develop autism. That means they are more likely to have problems fighting off the toxins that are introduced into the body.

Autism is considered an autoimmune condition, so in a way, this makes a lot of sense. It is said that the majority of children are not bothered by the mercury content in Thimerosal, but a child with that particular biomarker will have problems removing it from their system. It is important to remember that vaccinations are not the only way mercury can get into the body. Studies suggest we all get a little each day from varying sources.

While studies seem to suggest that mercury has no tie to autism, there are some who are not convinced. Some parents are refusing to vaccinate their children, and though this will eliminate that source of mercury, they are putting their children?s health at risk. If you skip the shots, not only are your children vulnerable to the diseases they are designed to stop, you can?t say they won?t get the toxins elsewhere and develop autism anyway. It is a hard choice for a parent to make. There are mercury-free vaccinations on the market for each type of shot, but there might still be a trace of this mercury in there anyway.

It?s understandable that many parents would be concerned. Anyone can ask a pediatrician for mercury-free vaccinations. If this is something a parent feels strongly about, there is no reason why they can?t have them. If you look into the dangers associated with mercury, it is very understandable why many would be upset and would ask for these. Though most children can tolerate the regular vaccines with no issues, there is no way for parents to know this ahead of time as of yet.

Whether mercury contamination and autism are related is still unknown for the most part, some don?t want to wait around to find out. Questioning this is very understandable. Talk to your doctor about your concerns if you want mercury-free shots.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter about autism and discover more on 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

Understanding Autism And Irrational Fears - 5 Ideas You Can Try Today

                

 

Part of supporting an autistic means understanding autism and helping autistics cope with their fears. An autistic may fear many things including sudden loud sounds, physical contact, the dark, strange smells, etc. In fact, many autistics fear things they have no control over. However, not every autistic person has the same fears. Therefore, you need to learn what upsets your child and find ways to help them cope.

The following are 5 common fears suffered by autistics, and how you can effectively handle the situation to create a more positive experience for your child.

1. Fear of the dentist ? Many autistic children are afraid of the dentist. This shouldn?t be too surprising, considering the dentist can be hard to take for the average person.

Understanding autism and fear of the dentist is a matter of introducing your child to the right dentist. You need to find a dentist who is experienced with children with disabilities, particularly autism. If you have trouble finding a dentist with such experience, your best option is to choose one who has compassion and a willingness to learn.

Overcoming the dentist fear is about slowly introducing your child to the environment. The first few visits should only consist of getting your child to sit in the chair and the dentist looking in his/her mouth. Furthermore, distractions such as TV can help make the process easier to take. This process can take several months.

2. Fear of the dark ? Many autistic children fear the dark because they can?t control it and fear the unknown.

To help your child overcome this fear, try a game of peek-a-boo with the blanket, allowing your child to move from dark to light at their control. Other methods that may work in understanding autism fears of the dark include providing your child with a flashlight, lamp or nightlight.

3. Fear of loud sudden noises ? Loud sudden noises such as a fire alarm or thunder, often startles and upsets autistics. Sensitivity to sound may be desensitized through sound recording. Provide your child with a recording of the sound that upsets him/her and allow them to start the sound and slowly increase its volume. Having control over the playback of sound can help the child become familiar with the noise, allowing them to recognize it when it occurs.

4. Fear of looking at people ? Many autistics don?t look directly at others. Many researchers believe this is because autistics cannot accurately interpret expressions and emotions. Thus, autistics generally find it disturbing to look at people?s faces.

New studies on understanding autism have found that autistics respond well to cartoons that feature trains and cars that have people?s faces superimposed on them. These particular cartoons known as ?The Transporters? have been particularly successful at helping autistics learn about emotions.

5. Fear of socializing ? One of the biggest autistic fears is socializing. This means that it is often difficult for them to make friends. The following are ways you can help encourage them to socialize with those their own age:

- Encourage your child to get phone numbers of some of his/her schoolmates and bring them home so you can make calls.

- Schedule a playtime or invite another family of a fellow schoolmate over to your home for brief interaction (2 hour limit)

- Don?t rely on the friendship of only one child. Invite more than one child over.

- Ask your child what he/she wants to do when the friend comes over. Create a list of activities so things remain entertaining. Just remember, you need to teach your child to be flexible and accept suggestions from others. This can take time.

The more knowledge people have in understanding autism, the easier it will be for your child to make and keep friends.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter & discover how understanding autism & autism symptoms can give your child a big advantage.

The Advantages of Autism

                

 

My husband and I are the sometimes-proud, sometimes-mortified parents of a four-and-a-half year old boy, Jonah, who has autism. Jonah is a bright, mischievous, affectionate, challenging, monkey of a kid. We love him and are managing our somewhat unusual lives pretty well. With autism, though, everything can seem like a challenge: meals, bath time, car trips, birthday parties, you name it.

Jonah doesn?t talk and he doesn?t understand normal social cues. He?ll walk right up to strangers at a park and rifle through their picnic basket. He?ll climb up a playground slide without taking note of whether or not some kid is poised to slide down right into him. Every time he hears the song ?Happy Birthday to You,? he marches right up to the place of honor, ready to blow out the candles and tear into cake. When prevented, distracted, or redirected away from these activities, a tantrum is a likely result. And when the tantrum is in public, there?s usually the added fun of strangers? stares, glares, and disapproving glances. I could go on...but this article isn?t about what autism is, or how it is difficult, or why its occurrence has risen to epidemic proportions. It?s about the advantages of autism. And really, there are several.

I have to admit right off the bat: I?m only being half-facetious when I say we fully intend to cash in on any and all emergent savant skills, like in the Las Vegas scene from Rain Man -- but that doesn?t seem likely since they say only 10% or so of autists have these skills. Oh, well. Winning ridiculous amounts of money counting cards isn?t everything, I suppose. Good thing there are other things we can enjoy right now.

One is innocence. While other kids his age have ?moved on? to superheroes and swords, our son still loves bubbles and blocks. While his peers have discarded traditional kids? songs for pop music, Jonah still happily requests ?Wheels on the Bus? ? and does all the hand motions too. He doesn?t watch commercials then demand whatever toy or gadget or breakfast cereal was advertised. He doesn?t understand the concept of Christmas or birthdays, at least not in the way other kids do, so he?s perfectly happy with a few toys and something yummy to eat.

When our son is fully enjoying himself, there is no one as uninhibitedly delighted. A joyful Jonah is a beautiful sight. He is never embarrassed or self-conscious about what he is doing, and it shows. What you get is a child largely unaffected by most things that can?t help but affect the consciousness of other kids: bad news on TV, anxiety about dad leaving for work, fear of the boogeyman under the bed. In a sense, autism protects him from much of the normal worry, apprehension, and insecurity of being an almost-five-year-old kid.

Also, people have told us he?s especially entertaining to watch ? and we can see why; the way he interacts with his environment is undeniably interesting. We consider it an advantage to have a child who sees the world through a somehow different lens. He?ll hold his fingers up to his eyes to catch an interesting visual, or cock his head to the side and look at things from an angle. He adores kaleidoscopes and spinning toys and flashlights and seems to see them in a way the rest of us can?t. He teaches us to stop, look, and listen to things in ways that may never have occurred to us before.

There are advantages, even, to his silence. Though we?d love for him to learn to talk and are doing everything we can to help him learn to communicate verbally, it is nice to know he?s not going to start yelling obscenities in the mall or call the cops and tell them our house is on fire. He may perseverate on the light switch by turning it on and off a thousand times, but we?re never subjected to endless repetitions of movie quotes, nursery rhymes, or some random snippet of something he heard on TV.

We've come to find that for every challenge we face with Jonah, we're presented an unexpected, precious, and often humorous gift. The gifts are what keep us going ? for, as with everything in life, they balance out the bad and show us our son and situation in an ever-changing, beautiful light.

We're thankful for the advantages of autism!

Amy Wink Krebs is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing. She lives in upstate New York with one husband, one son, one cat, and one fish.

My Child has Autism! What is My Role in His Education?

                

 

I am the proud mother of two young children that were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder a few years ago. One is now in grade one and the other will register for kindergarten in the spring.

As a teacher, I already had some experience with IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) meetings which helped me a great deal with my son?s first IEP. I was able to also inform my husband which also did a lot of research on the matter so he was already well prepared to face our son?s IEP.

Over the 17 years of teaching experience that I possess, I soon discovered that most parents tend to lack both information and confidence in their role and what type of services they can obtain for their child.

One of the sad things that I also have learned is that depending on the school, the services vary and if you do not ask for them, you will not necessarily have them offered to you either.

Both my children are situated on opposite ends of the spectrum, my daughter being on the higher end making her diagnosis ?light Autism? while my son is non-verbal which puts him on the lower end, diagnosed with ?moderate to severe Autism?.

Having both their special needs, they also need different services. For example, my daughter needed some physiotherapy but my son benefits from the use of the sensory room at school as he is hypersensitive in several areas.

What does the term ?special needs? really mean? Well, it simply means that your child needs special services and material to help him grow and reach his full potential in life. Henry Winkler, the actor known as the Fonz in Happy Days, who gave an amazing presentation as a keynote speaker at the NMSA (National Middle School Association) annual conference held at Minneapolis two years ago, explained his challenges with Dyslexia and the way education and his parents helped him out succeed in life. He also made it clear that his Dyslexia made him a child with special needs. This child has grown up as a successful man and actor cherished by his fans. One of the things that I remember the most is the fact that he thanked both educators and his parents for not giving up on him.

All this made me realize that the role of a parent of a child with ASD is not only to raise him with love and patience but also to provide him with the best services, materials and tools possible to help him live a full and happy life. And one of the multiple roles that a parent has to fill is the role of advocate. It does not matter if your child is verbal or not, if his diagnosis is light, moderate or severe on the spectrum. You have to remember that your child has a disorder that affect his communication skills and makes him unable to fend for himself. But foremost, your child is four going on five years old and sees you as his voice. The person that he can trust will fight for him, his best interests and his rights.

As your child advocate, it is not only your role to fight for your child but also to research the various schools, their services and all the opportunities that are available to your child. Do not enter the meeting room like a bull in a china shop as doors will be closing on you?and your child. Don?t be shy! Ask questions; investigate the various services that can be offered to your child. Meet with various school administrators, school divisions and the people responsible for the special needs programs.

For instance, in several schools where I taught, the following services which are provided in my son?s school were never an option there. Such services are: Music Therapy, occupational therapy activities including: bowling, skating and swimming, sensory room, physiotherapy equipment such as a swinging beam, a modified bike, a weighted vest, a special chair, a pressure vest, the use of PECS (Pictures Exchange Communication System), the participation to Special Olympics activities and more.

Another tip that I can give you is to set up a meeting with the administrator of your school prior to the first day of school. Share with them your child?s habits, needs and explain to them how to deal with their frustrations, hypersensitivities issues, needs, routines and more. Introduce your child to them. At the IEP meeting, ask them for the creation of a social story book to introduce your child to his new surroundings by looking at various pictures in advance: future teacher(s), classroom, gym, teacher aid, music room, sensory room, secretary, administrators, etc. You will see the level of anxiety diminishing in both your child and you.

Let your love for your child guide you. Be your child?s advocate and his voice.

If you wish to have more information on how to participate actively to an IEP meeting and other important matters and tips related to Autism, I encourage you to visit the following site: http://autism-spectrum-disorder.com Believe me, my husband and I would have appreciated to get all this information prior to our children's diagnosis of Autism.

High Functioning Autism

                

 

Over the years, studies and several researches about autism have been conducted. These studies have resulted in the discovery that autism is, in fact, a spectrum. It was found that autism is not just one disorder but a category that encompasses several disorders. An example of this is high functioning autism.

Basically, high functioning autism is characterized as having only mild symptoms, such as minimal social impairments. Sufferers of this kind of autism only have minor deficits and are able to communicate. Commonly, high functioning autism is diagnosed as either Asperger's Syndrome or Pervasive Developmental Disorder, or PDD.

Symptoms of High Functioning Autism and Corrective Measures

High functioning autism can still be distinguished and diagnosed by several symptoms. Sufferers often have minimal impairments in relating or connecting with others and demonstrate recurring movements like flapping of hands. Additionally, they typically insist on a routine.

Once you've seen these symptoms in your child, seek help immediately. It is better to correct everything as soon as possible, as this kind of autism can still be reversed and your child can eventually live and learn like a normal kid. There are, however, some guidelines that you must follow when you?re training and treating your child. Seek advice from professionals such as pediatric neurologists, child psychologists or anyone familiar with your child's disorder.

Therapies and Treatments

A different kind of therapy can help your child live normally. Therapy procedures have been formulated to help children with high functioning autism develop social interaction, motor, behavioral and communication skills. Some examples of therapies that could help your child are the Individualized Educational Plan and the Applied Behavior Analysis. The first one is recommended in academic trainings while the latter teaches the child to respond in a certain manner.

However, some cases may require medication to control conditions like anxiety, hyperactivity and compulsive behavior. You should always consult a professional physician before starting your child on medical treatments.

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.

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

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/

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

How to Detect Autism in Child

                

 

Every parent wants the best for his or her kid, wishing only the best, good health, bright future and prosperous life to the child.

But one morning it just hit you, your child is turning 3 years old next month but still remains unresponsive to you. Your child is not as interactive as other kids would usually be. 'Could my child be autistic?'

Any parent would be alarmed.

Autism may sound familiar to you. It is however important to first establish that this is not an infection or a contagious disease. This is actually a condition where the brain of the child has developed differently, resulting to certain ramifications that affected the system of the child and manifesting in the lack of interpersonal skills of the child.

This condition occurs to 1 child in every 700 in the population. It was found also that this is most likely to occur among the boys. The signs manifest at an early stage in a child's life. It is necessary that you be cautious of your child's behavior and responses.

How does one detect autism?

The signs of autism may be observed as early as 18 months to 3 years age of the kid.

If your child is experiencing difficulty in the following aspects, it would be helpful to consult a doctor or an expert:

* Looking at others - Can he or she not look at you straight to the eye when you try to communicate?

* Playing with other kids - Does he or she avoid other kids or automatically shies away?

* Imagining - Can he or she not handle make-believe games?

* Communicating - Are there words that he or she cannot say or will have to be said over and over before he or she can grasp it?

* Repetition - Are there mannerisms or motor movements that he or she keeps repeating for no apparent reason or purpose?

* Changes - Is he or she inflexible to changes? Does he or she get alarmed when you change a certain routine, like waking up while it is still dark?

Some babies can actually manifest signs of autism

* Babies that do not look in the eye can be displaying signs of autism, especially if they would rather stare at moving mechanical objects or parts of it.

* Too calm babies should also be observed. Are they able to lie for hours without crying?

* When babies do not play or do not interact with other babies.

How does one address this condition of autism?

The cause of autism is still unknown. That is why parents should not blame themselves if they feel that they had been negligent in taking care of their kids during infancy, or if a mother thinks she might not have properly taken care of herself during pregnancy.

Just as the definite cause is still unknown, there is no definite treatment to get rid of autism.

Even if the parent may not be able to free his or her child from the condition, the best option to the parents of an autistic child is to address the problem. It is best to consult an expert on this field. Know the various peculiarities of the kid. The family may have to stick to a definite lifestyle to adjust to the needs of the child. This would require extra patience also. Send the child to a special education school. If the autism of the child is relatively mild, be sure that you inform ahead the teacher or the principal of the condition.

You have a special child. The kid is special, because his or her abilities are different from the ordinary kid her age. Provide special treatment and care needed. Give your attention. Stay by his or her side.

More than anything else; simply make the child feel your loving care.

Masni Rizal Mansor is co-publisher of MyHealth-Info.com. He provide tips and review on aspergers syndrome and symptom of aspergers syndrome in child.

Building Self Esteem In Children With Autism And Asperger Syndrome

                

 

Children with autism have a much harder time with their self-esteem. They often perceive the constant correction of their behaviors and their social interactions as criticism. The frequent visits to doctors, or speech therapists, or OTs, the testing and the stream of interventions that we try with them can easily leave them feeling like they're under the microscope, a specimen that warrants investigation, a person who needs fixing.

Expressive and comprehensive communication also have a direct impact on a child's self-esteem. These are areas that do not come easily to children or adults with autism/AS. Understanding subtle jokes and participating in human interplay, actions natural to their neuro-typical peers, further increase their feelings of 'not fitting in' and erode their self-esteem.

Combine all this with the expectations of siblings and the all-too-frequent bullying interactions from many peers and it's easy to understand how devastated a child with an autism spectrum disorder can feel.

What can we do? It's critical for us, as family members, educators, and professionals to learn strategies and techniques! In our not-too-distant past, institutional placement was the standard intervention for people with autism/AS. While that is not the case today, we still encounter lack of understanding and appreciation for the unique qualities of the person with ASD. Everyone, especially these visual learners, need a constant reminder of how special they truly are. We must find ways to give them their own Teddy Bear (or dinosaur!) so they will feel "L.C.B." on their own.

It Starts with US

But how do we really build their self-esteem? It starts with us examining our own ideas of how we view children with autism/AS. We must believe in their value ourselves before we can ever change their minds. These kids know when we're faking our compliments or arbitrarily handing out encouragement because the therapy book says we should give 5 positive comments to each correction. It involves empathy, walking in their shoes, rather than sympathy; no one wants to be felt sorry for. Each child is a gift, with his or her own special qualities. We just need to look for these special gifts, tune into the child with our hearts, and bring their essence out.

It Goes on to Others

Knowledge is power and no where is it more powerful than in helping people better understand what it's like to have autism/AS. Explain autism to everyone involved with the child. This will increase their empathy and provide opportunities for genuine praise and encouragement. Explain autism to the child, too, when he is able to understand his disability. Who are we really kidding, other than ourselves, when we pretend a child does not have the autism label or we try to camouflage it? Who are we hurting? It's the child with autism who is hurt in the long run.

Go to conferences, read books, research and share information that takes into consideration the many sensory, social, behavioral and communication challenges faced by the child at his/her functioning level. Armed with this understanding of how the disability affects the child, you and others can better find ways to help him or her fit in.

Remember to teach extended family, educators, other parents and professionals all you can to help integration and provide a deeper understanding when trying to teach particular skills. Be intuitive when advocating for children and persistent in your approach, though not abrasive. Having a positive mental attitude, especially when advocating, helps others want to cooperate with us. After all, who wants to deal with anyone cranky?

Bridge the interactions between peers and the child with autism. Visually and verbally interpret what you think they both are thinking and/or feeling based on your own experiences when you were their age, and your understanding of autism.

By teaching others about autism, more people will become aware of this invisible disability. When people understand empathetically, they will more naturally accept the child with autism, as he is. This is often effective in reducing or eliminating bullying from peers, too.

Learn to correct behaviors by sandwiching the correction in the middle of positive feedback. For example, "Sammy, you are doing a great job cleaning your room. If you pick up the clothes over there it would look even neater. Boy, you sure are a good listener."

Be Positive!

Children with autism often times have an incredible sense of humor. I have to stop myself from laughing so my own son doesn't feel like I'm laughing "at" him, causing him to feel inadequate. Sometimes I'll even say "I'm not laughing at you, Jonny, I'm laughing with you."

Stress the positives! Look for the good in every child, even if you don't see it at first. Pretending to be Pollyanna can only help, but make sure you're genuine in what you say. Stress the good effort your child is making, if he hasn't yet achieved a goal. Show your confidence in his abilities by telling him that you believe he can succeed. Saying things like this that may not be 100% true initially will contribute to your child's trust and belief in himself, raising his self-esteem and encouraging self-motivation to continue trying.

Model a mental attitude of "things are great". Express yourself in the positive, rather than the negative. Kids with autism/AS are masters at copying what others say, so make sure they're hearing things that are good for them to copy! When we say, "you are great!" to a child often enough, he, too, will believe it and feel valued for who he truly is.

Encourage children to share their thoughts and feelings; this is so important and often sheds new light on existing situations. My son, Jonathan was temporarily removed from the bus after cutting the seat. At first we thought he was acting out, so we had him write an apology to his bus driver. When we read his letter, we discovered that he was being bullied by another student on the bus and that it had been going on for quite some time. We intervened appropriately. The other child was reprimanded and Jonny was taught appropriate methods of expressing his anger in the future.

Balance the Physical with the Mental and Spiritual

Like most people, kids with autism feel better about themselves when they're balanced physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Since they are often very picky eaters and gravitate towards junk food, it's important to try supplementing their diet. Also, provide regular physical activity, when possible, to relieve stress and clear their mind. Set the stage for success by acknowledging their achievements - however small - and reminding them of their past accomplishments. Keep their life manageable and doable, refraining from overwhelming them with so many activities that they become too challenged physically and mentally to succeed at anything. Provide choices to them frequently so they understand they have a say in their own lives and even let them be in charge sometimes. These are all great ways to build self-esteem!

Don't overlook giving them opportunities to connect with their spiritual side through religious avenues or by communing with nature. This can help them feel purposeful, that their lives have meaning and connected with their source.

A strategy that helped raise Jonathan's self-esteem, especially in overcoming his victim thoughts and feelings, was spiritual affirmations. Using affirmations took some time, but we found that it brought calm and peace to Jonathan and our family.

Dr. Jerry Jampolsky, author of Love is Letting Go Of Fear and founder of the Center for Attitudinal Healing, offers many principles I find helpful in teaching us to love ourselves, thereby enhancing self-esteem, both in ourselves and then with others. Some of his principles include:

" The essence of our being is love
" Health is inner peace
" Live in the now
" Become love finders rather than fault finders
" Learn to love others and ourselves by forgiving rather than judging
" We can choose to be peaceful inside regardless of what's going on outside
" We're all students and teachers to each other.

Part of Jerry's message is that by focusing on life as a whole, rather than in fragments, we can see what is truly important. His concepts, when embraced, positively affect how a child with autism thinks and feels about him or herself. Anger, resentment, judgment and similar feelings are all forms of fear. Since love and fear cannot co-exist, letting go of fear allows love to be the dominant feeling.

Look for the Miracles Daily, there are miracles and good things happening all around us. Learn intimately the challenges that children with autism/AS face in their everyday lives. Be on their team by tuning into who they truly are - unique expressions of divine light. Empower them to be themselves, perfectly okay with who and how they are. Do this by loving them for who they are now, today, not who you think they should become, after ABA, or speech therapy or learning 'appropriate' social skills. Consider that children and adults with autism/AS are wonderful beings here to teach us empathy, compassion, understanding and most importantly, how to love. Most importantly, do whatever it takes to include them in life rather than merely integrate their presence.

In genuine star sapphires there are tiny imperfections and inclusions that reflect light perfectly to form a star in the stone. Each child with autism is like this precious gem, unique in every way. Without the tiny inclusions, there would be no star. It is our job as parents, educators and professionals to "bring out the stars" in all of our special children by shining the light on their natural beauty. In so doing, we see their different abilities rather than their disabilities. And, then they will see them, too.http://www.autismtoday.com/articles/buildingselfesteem.html Karen Simmons is a mother of six and author of Little Rainman, a story of autism told through her son's eyes. Her most recent releases are "Peace of Mind for Autism" a CD to help instill calm in people with autism/AS or associated with autism, and "Surrounded By Miracles", a story told by loved ones about Karen's near death experience.