The Debate About Mercury Contamination and Autism

                

 

Though autism has been identified since the 1940s, there has yet to be a cure discovered or a definite cause established. This leaves many wondering if it is something that is happening because of our lifestyle, or if this is a condition that has been misdiagnosed for a very long time. There are record numbers of children now being diagnosed with autism. Is this because we are now able to pinpoint the proper diagnosis, or is there something more sinister going on? Many claim the high numbers of diagnosis are due to more understanding about this condition, and that makes it easier to get the correct diagnosis. Others believe mercury contamination and autism are related.

When it comes to mercury, the culprit seems to be related to childhood vaccinations. These are vaccinations that all children get, and many cannot enter school without them. However, there are a number of parents who believe these vaccinations that are meant to protect their children have led to autism.

There is a preservative used in some vaccinations that is called Thimerosal. This is almost half mercury in content, and is used when more than one dosage of a vaccine is in one bottle. This is meant to stop any sort of contamination that might occur.

Mercury is dangerous. However, its link to autism is debated. There has been research that has found a ?biomarker? which indicates that children with autism are more prone to having serious problems when toxins are introduced into the system. Because most children with autism have autoimmune problems, this does make sense. This then, would give the mercury contamination theory validity. Though most children would not be bothered by Thimerosal, a child with this biomarker might have huge problems. Vaccinations are not the only sources of this however, as there is mercury in other places that might very well be unknowingly ingested by any person.

There have been many studies conducted that state vaccinations have no link to autism, but there are many who simply don?t buy that theory. As a result, parents are refusing to vaccinate their children completely. Though this might indeed stop the mercury from entering the system of the child, their health is then placed in jeopardy. This can be a hard decision for many parents to make, though some see it as a very cut and dry conclusion. There are now vaccines that are said to be mercury-free. However, there may still be traces of it in the vaccine.

If you are concerned, you should tell your doctor that you want mercury-free vaccines, and that you will not accept any other type for your child. Though there seems to be an ongoing debate, looking at the dangers of mercury would be enough to alarm anyone.

Most children will not have a problem with the regular vaccines, but there is no way to know if your child will or not. The increase in the numbers of children with autism might just have to do with better diagnosis and understanding, but that does not eliminate the mercury contamination and autism connection that many feel is legitimate. If you feel strongly about this, ask your doctor for the single vaccinations, and if they won?t offer them, find someone who will.

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

Defining Autism and New Autism Studies Results

                

 

The reported cases of autism seem to be sweeping the country like never before, and autism is frequently seen on the news and in special TV reports. Is there an epidemic going on or is it just that autism is now gaining more visibility? Recent studies indicate that as many as 1 in 162 children have autism to some degree.

The tough part about autism is that it is difficult to diagnose. It?s not like a broken arm where you can take an x-ray and determine yes the arm really is broken. Rather, much of the diagnosis of autism is somewhat subjective, although there are definite signs to indicate that a child has autism or autistic spectrum disorder to some degree. The other tough part is that the degree of autism varies from child to child. The very mild form of autism is known as Asperger?s Syndrome. But regardless of the severity, an accurate diagnosis as early as possible is extremely important, since the child can benefit greatly from different educational methods that are employed for autistic children.

Signs of autism or indications that might lead you to think your child has ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) would be a very unusual response or a lack of response at all to noises and other people. Autistic children do not care to be socially involved with other children or adults, but rather they seem to live in their own world. Another sign is that affected children are engrossed with a toy or particular object. Engrossed may not be the right word however, it is more like they are totally 100% focused on that object, for as long as hours at a time, even an inanimate object.

Autistic children do not like a change of routine. If your child is subject to temper tantrums for what seem like insignificant events, you should examine the change that occurred which may have spurred the tantrum, since autistic children can get very upset and unsettled when their regular routine is interrupted by something else.

There is neither a known cause for autism nor a known cure. It is primarily thought to be a neurological condition and it is not thought to be hereditary. Many people believe that there is a correlation between autism and mercury contamination. The mercury contamination goes back to the normal childhood vaccinations that all children receive before they enter school. There is a preservative that has been used in some of these vaccinations known as Thimerosal which is almost 50% mercury. Although the dangers of mercury are well known, its link to autism is still just a theory and is not supported at this point by any scientific evidence.

A more recent report states that scientists in New Jersey have asserted that children who have been diagnosed with autism seem to be unable to metabolize key fatty acids that fight brain-damaging inflammations. This is an interesting find, although as yet unsubstantiated, since it is known that autism has a tendency to scramble the signals going to the brain and cause them to be interpreted incorrectly. More studies are being conducted, but if this latest study can be validated, a virtual cure for autism could be as simple as a "therapeutic cocktail of fatty acids".

Like anything else, early diagnosis is a key ingredient to finding the help your child needs to fight autism and get the necessary help, particularly during elementary school education, where special schools can provide the type of environment needed by the autistic child, whereas normal public schools are not equipped to provide that type of one-on-one special handling for a particular student.

Jon is a computer engineer who maintain a variety of web sites based on his knowledge and experience. For more information about Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorder, please visit his web site at Autism Explained.

About Glyconutrients Autism

                

 

There is no known cause for autism, but new studies are being performed all of the time in hopes of finding an answer that may either provide a cure, or perhaps to help make life easier for those who are diagnosed. There are many theories, but none have been proven thus far. That does not mean these theories are right, or that they are wrong, but further evaluation needs to be done before anything concrete can be said. However, there are some who believe that glyconutrients might play a part in why some develop autism. They feel that when there is a lack of glyconutrients, autism is sometimes a result.

Glyconutrients are another name for the sugars that you get in your diet. These often help keep the body working effectively, and also help keep the auto immune system working properly. Some feel that children simply don?t get what they need, and some believe this contributes to autism. This conclusion is drawn because autism is believed to be an autoimmune problem. The belief is that the weak immune system, as a result of lack of proper amounts of glyconutrients, leads to a child having problems with autism.

Some research suggests that up to three fourths of the disease in the world are due to free radicals. These are things that are foreign to the body, and the body must get rid of them to remain healthy. These include preservatives in foods, toxins in the air, and all sorts of things introduced into the system through the course of an average day. If the autoimmune system is not working properly, these toxins remain in the body. If the body is not getting enough glyconutrients to help keep the immune system healthy, these toxins build up quickly.

Some believe that these glyconutrients should be supplemented in some children (especially those considered to be picky eaters) to help boost the immune system. This will allow the body to flush out the toxins that enter to help the child remain healthier in all respects. It is not known if something like this might stop a child from developing autism, but some believe that this might be the key to helping them reverse some of the symptoms. There are testimonials you can find from parents who have tried it with good results, and others say that this made no difference.

Please remember that there is no scientific basis for using glyconutrients as a help for autism as of yet. Though these can do many wonderful things, it is something best left to your doctor. If you think this is something that you want to try to help your child, please have a discussion with your doctor about the pros and cons, and about the latest research. This, like many other things, can be dangerous if done improperly. You should always have medical guidance if you want to try to supplement glyconutrients. Autism is something that no family wishes for, but it is a reality for many. Perhaps this will be the answer, but only time, and more research, will tell the tale.

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

Autism and Diet - What Are Your Options?

                

 

When, as parents, you hear your child has autism, the first response is usually one of shock even though you may have had concerns that led to the diagnosis. After the shock wears off, you?ll probably be looking for things that can help your child. Unfortunately, information regarding a cure or even the root cause of autism is not yet known, so many parents turn to differing treatment options and there are a number of theories that suggest there is a link between autism and diet. More specifically that a special diet called GFCF that might help children with autism in many ways.

GFCF stands for gluten free casein free. Following a GFCF diet means foods with those proteins are eliminated from your child?s daily diet. Sounds simple right? Well, unfortunately it?s actually pretty difficult to do.

The problem is that these proteins are commonly found in foods that most of us eat each day, and therefore the diet can be somewhat restrictive.

Casein is found most commonly in milk and milk products like ice cream and cheese that are made with milk. Gluten is found in grains and also in oats and barley. It is also found in soy products, and many additives that are put in foods for coloring, flavor, or as a preservative. Both these proteins also appear in other food sources as well meaning you have to become an avid label reader.

Though studies are on going, there is no conclusive link between the GFCF diet and improvement for autistic children just yet. However, what is known is that some autistic children find if very difficult to digest these types of proteins in the same way as others can, and can lead the body to treat them as if they are poisonous.

Having this reaction to these proteins might lead to problems with bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Some also believe that these have an impact on social and emotional problems that are very common in children and adults struggling with autism.

Before removing any foods in order to follow a GFCF diet, it is a good idea to get approval from a doctor. The doctor might want to keep a close eye on the child because many important nutritional elements like calcium might be missing from the diet once milk is removed.

There are other foods that can supplement calcium, and a doctor can help with adding foods back to replace what following such a diet can miss. Vitamins and minerals are important to any eating plan, and if they are lacking, a child will suffer in other ways.

Continue reading for more information about GFCF diets and sign up to the newsletter for additional information on managing autism with dietary changes.

Some parents? report astounding changes in both physical and emotional problems, while others say that nothing changed when trying the GFCF diet. There are some in the middle that say the elimination diet helped with one problem but not others. How each child will react cannot be known until the diet is tried.

However, before jumping in and restricting your child?s diet to see if there is a link between autism and diet, parents should talk to the doctor and remember that the results for other families have been mixed. As long as a physician is overseeing the diet, and the child is receiving regular check ups, there should be no harm in trying the diet to see if it works.

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

Signs And Symptoms Of Autism

                

 

Parents suspect an abnormality in their children?s development around 18 months but see a doctor at the age of 2 of the child and the autistic disorder's only diagnosed at about 3-4 years when the child patient a lack of communication skills, lack of interest for social interaction, playing difficulties and a tendency towards aggressiveness to others and to themselves. In the regressive type of autism, children develop normally until the age of 2 when a pregnant regression of all the gained skills occurs.

Autistic patients are extremely sensitive to signals like sounds, light, smells, touch or taste. A hypersensitivity of the skin is sometimes marked by the refusal of wearing clothes that might injure their skin. They resist changes in their routine environment and can become aggressive if parents or caretakers try to force them into something. They can get really nervous when pushed to wear clothes that itch their sensitive skin.

The development of communication skills is insufficient to allow them start and maintain conversations. Their language is slow or absent, some words are repeated many times without any significance, nonsense rhyming can be observed and the pronoun inversion is typical for the autistic disorder. The attention is very shortly concentrated and they tend to use gestures and signs instead of words for communication.

Autistic children are unable to understand other person?s emotions and cannot understand why they feel differently about certain things. They even show types of empathy when people seem to know things that are unknown to them. They often have difficulties in making friends and are mostly withdrawn in their own personal worlds showing no interest to happenings around them. They usually prefer spending the time on their own; pay almost no attention to smiles and eye-contact.

All autism sufferers tend to mouth objects or rub surfaces and are extremely sensitive to light, sound, smell and touch. They are usually immune to pain and show little response to high painful stimuli. Autistic children do not react to loud noises but are highly irritated by some regular sounds like the one made by the vacuum cleaner. Physical contact is mostly overwhelming or over stimulating for them and they refuse cuddling, touching and kissing.

They show no interest for imaginative play and usually tend to repeat the playing actions of other children. They tend to prefer solitary and rithualic games with repetitive actions. Their high need for sameness and refusal of normal persons around them are all very obvious. They have repetitive movements of the body and demonstrate perseveration in obsessive interests. They show lack of common sense, aggression to others or themselves and even an overactive or a passive behavior.

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

Signs and Symptoms of Autism and Autistic Disorders

                

 

Autism is the most classical condition from the group of autism spectrum diseases, including the Asperger syndrome, the Rett syndrome, the Childhood disintegrative disorder and the pervasive developmental disorder. The most important and frequent characteristics of autism are impaired social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication difficulties, repetitive actions, unusual interests and limited actions.

Male children have a four times more increased risk of developing autism than little girls. According to studies, a number of about 1-3 children in one thousand subjects are susceptible of developing autistic disorders.

The most important signs of autism can show different difficulty grades, from mild forms to severe cases. Autistic children have problems in interacting with other children or persons due to a disease triggered impaired social interaction ability. Verbal and nonverbal communications skills are very limited and they most often try to express themselves by signs and pictures. These children have most commonly repetitive interests and activities and their actions and thoughts are narrow and obsessive.

The impossibility of a regular social interaction with parents, children and family and first noticed by the caretakers around the age of three when the initial autistic obvious symptoms occur. Autistics are unable to make connections, play or talk to other persons around the. Parents start to notice a tendency of their child to exclude others and live alone in his interior world. They do not pay attention to other people and their capacity to maintain focus for a longer time is limited; other persons? interests and actions are uninteresting to them.

Many of the pediatric patients touched by autism have developed normally during the first life years and at 3-4 years have suddenly become to show symptoms of an autistic disorder. Many parents are alarmed by this sudden change in their child?s behavior and cannot explain his sudden annoyance of others.

Most children with this disorder avoid eye contacts with any person and usually do not respond to their name. They have difficulties integrating voice, facial mimics, and expressions and are thus unable to understand what interlocutors feel, think or desire. They also avoid watching other people?s faces to rely on certain clues about their behavior.

In periods of high nervous excitation, autistics succeed in hurting themselves by banging their heads against walls or by bites. Sometimes they show repetitive, senseless and obsessive movements like rocking or spinning. They start to speak later than expected from a child their age and when they do, they use the name instead of personal pronouns like ?me? or ?I?. Their sensitivity to pain is minimal, but they can be very sensitive to normal stimuli like sound, light or touch; they avoid being hugged and cuddled.

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

Understanding Autism and Irrational Fears: 5 Ideas You Can Try Today

                

 

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 today for a free newsletter and discover how understanding autism can help you help your child. On the site you'll find more information about high functioning autism and methods for learning to cope with autism symptoms.

Causes and Diagnosis of Autism

                

 

Autism is the most characteristic condition of the autistic spectrum disorders and is defined by impaired social interaction, obsessive and narrow interests, repetitive actions and difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication. Children with autism are mostly diagnosed at the age of 3 when they show symptoms of an increased sensitivity to sound, light and touch and decreased sensation of pain. They avoid other children, resost cuddling, cannot understand other person?s needs and feelings.

The exact causes of autism are not yet known to scientists but they tend to incriminate for the occurrence of these disorders of both genetically and environmental factors. A series of genes on the chromosomes have been identified to be connected to the causes of autism. Also irregularities in certain brain areas have been matched to these type of disorders. According to some particular studies, an important trigger of autistic disorders is a low level of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brain tissues. The genes responsible for the growth and interaction of the brain tissues and neurons could be blamed for an abnormal intrauterine development leading to later manifestations of some fetal life problems.

Another theory of the parental practices responsible for the apparition of autism is still discussed and researched. All theories regarding the cause of autism are still preliminary and yet to be proven.

Autistic disorders can appear in mild to severe forms or be masked by other handicaps. Diagnose is not always easy and certain. The clinical diagnose is established according to a list of the most characteristic signs. The group of symptoms orienting a specialist towards diagnose of autism consists of certain behavioral and physical changes. This group contains an impaired ability to make connections with other children or begin and sustain a conversation, the absence of imaginative social play methods, stereotyped and repetitive actions, limited interests, unusual language skills, obsessions regarding particular few objects and incapacity to accept certain rituals and routine changes.

Doctors use questionnaires or other screening instruments to evaluate the observations made by parents or by both parents and doctors. Certain questions regarding behavior and development are asked and related to obvious observations. A further evaluation when the suspicion of autism persists must be performed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of neurologists, psychiatrist, speech analyst and other professionals. A hearing evaluation must be completed in order to eliminate disorders caused by hearing difficulties.

After the completion of the testing, the parents are informed about results and possible therapy methods.

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

Understanding The Characteristics And Symptoms Of Autism

                

 

The research collected by professional health organizations indicate that autism, or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 out of every 166 children in America. Those numbers would then further indicate that an amazing 1.5 million American children have autism to a certain degree. It is noteworthy that many of these cases of autism have not been diagnosed. The annual growth rate of autism is greater than 14%, meaning it has become a major developmental disability for today?s children.

The occurance of autism is not limited to children, nor does it seem to afflict any particular person based on race or social structure/class. Autism also does not appear to be a result of any injury or accident that may have involved trauma. One thing that is known, however, is that boys are about 4 times more likely to have autism than girls.

So that you can understand how to work with a patient afflicted with autism, it is necessary to understand some background about what autism is and what signs an afflicted person shows. In a core sense, autism is just one of several things known as a cognitive disability or cognitive disorder.

Such a disorder has a negative impact on the child?s ability to learn and develop normally, particularly from the aspect of social interaction. Typically, autism can be diagnosed as early as age 3 in most children, and impairs how the brain reacts to certain stimuli. In that sense, autism is thought to be a neurological disorder. The most prominent signs of autism are difficulty in both verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Difficult with verbal communication is self-explanatory, but in the non-verbal sense, this deals with the difficulty in having social interactions with other people.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder or ASD is crucial to be diagnosed as early as possible in the child?s life, especially when you consider that there are varying degrees of autism, ranging from very mild to severe. If the presence of autism is diagnosed early, the parents of the child can make arrangements to allow the child to benefit from professionals at school, perhaps even a specialized school, where the teachers have received training in autism and understanding how to teach the autistic child.

There are many thoughts about autism and there are also many myths about it. One of those myths is that children who are autistic are "dumb" or have a low IQ. This is not true at all. In terms of academic intelligence, an autistic child can score at the same level as his classmates. Do you remember the movie titled "Rain Man" with Dustin Hoffman, where he was autistic? Although Dustin Hoffman did an excellent job in showing the lack of social interaction and many of the other signs of an autism patient, he was also absolutely brilliant with numbers and in the casino.

There are several characteristics that autistic people will display that can be a clue to the potential presence of autism. Unfortunately, there are no conclusive laboratory tests that can definitively state whether or not a person has autism, simply because it really is a neurological disorder. Such characteristics include, as discussed above, difficulty in verbal and non-verbal communication, distinct resistance to change in schedule or routine, an abnormally low threshold for pain, difficulty or discomfort in making eye contact, and a tendency to fixate on a particular object for very long periods of time.

It is critical to get a child suspected of being autistic diagnosed as early as possible so that an effective course of treatment can be started.

Jon is a computer engineer that maintains many web sites based on his knowledge and experience in various areas. For more information about Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorder, please visit his web site at Autism Explained.

Autism - A Problem That Needs More Scientific Study

                

 

Statistics say that there are more than a half million people in the U.K. affected by autism, and the number of diagnosed cases is rising rapidly. It was seen that boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism, and twelve times more predisposed to have asperger syndrome. Autism is a lifelong disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to other people. People with autism have problems with social interaction and with imagination. People with autism can say that reality is confusing, and it is difficult to interact with people, places, events, sounds and lights.

The causes for autism are not clear at this time, no one knows if there is an external factor like diet, an infection or exposure to toxins in the home that can lead to autism. There exists the suspicion that there are genetic factors involved.

It is known that the degree of this disability varies. That is why the term autistic spectrum disorder or ASD is often used. For example there are people with classic autism, that may have severe learning disabilities or little speech. Other people, that have Asperger syndrome could be able to live and work independently and may have an average or above average intelligence.

Many parents of children having autism may experience a serious dilemma: there exist a lot of websites on the internet, there are a lot of practitioners from private surgeries, that offer treatments or sustain that they can even cure autism. Of course this may be a lie, and that is why the decision is hard to take. The problem is that there is not enough information about autism, scientific trials have to be done in the future. It is good to know that there exists a large number of support groups, charities and web sites made for people with autism and by the people with autism.

It was seen that the number of persons diagnosed with autism is rising rapidly, but, unfortunately, there is still too little knowledge about this condition. The autism is affecting the way a person communicates and relates to other people, but the factors that cause this are not known. There are only some suspicions, like the possibility that genetic factors to be involved, but we will find the real causes that lead to this condition only after more researches will be done.

For more information about autism please review http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-symptoms-checklist.htm or even http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-symptoms.htm

What Are The Different Autism Types in Children

                

 

As more and more is understood about autism, it would seem there are more and more autism types. Though the term autism is a blanket term, there are different degrees. No two children with this condition will be exactly the same, but there can be similarities. Some children are very high functioning, and they have very few problems, and there are others who seem almost unreachable. These different autism types do have different names, and there are more and more things being learned about each of them.

Asperger?s Disorder

Asperger?s is a relatively new diagnosis, and you might hear this term many times when you hear about autism. People with this type of autism are usually socially awkward and do not mix well with others. They tend to have an obsessive interest in patterns of all types. However, they do have good language skills and have great adaptation skills. They are, however, often impaired somewhat when it comes to motor skills. This is often misdiagnosed as other things like Attention Deficit Disorder or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It is also thought that those with Asperger?s have a sort of genius. They normally have a talent that they spend much of their time on. Some suggest that Albert Einstein may have had Asperger?s.

Kanner?s Syndrome (classic autistic disorder)

This was named for Dr. Kanner, who first put a name to this disorder in the 1930s and 40s. This is probably the most well known type of autism, and the one many think of when they hear the term. These children seem to have extremely limited emotional outreach or connections with others. They thrive on exact routines, and have learning disabilities. They are often fascinated with objects and movements. Kanner?s Syndrome is often the lowest functioning end of the disorder, and these children (and adults) tend to be very drawn into themselves and have extremely limited communication skills. They often get agitated if the do not eat the same foods and watch the same things on television day in and day out.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder--Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).

The differences between this type of autism and classic autism are very slight indeed. Children diagnosed as having PDD-NOS tend to display the same characteristics with only really doctors and researchers able to distinguish the differences. The type of care and interventions required will be similar.

Rett?s Syndrome

Rett?s is fairly uncommon, and seems to be diagnosed exclusively in girls. It was named for Dr Rett of Australia. These girls often have severe muscular problems, and are prone to autistic behaviors. They may make and do obsessive things with their hands on a constant basis. Those with Rett?s will be very low functioning and will probably need life long care, as they are usually mentally retarded. Though this condition has been known since the 60s, a gene thought to be responsible was found in the late 90s.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

This happens to children who appear to be healthy at birth. Somewhere between the ages of two and four they suddenly regress. They may not potty train, and they lose the ability to socialize with other children. All speech development may stop, or even regress. They may also lose interest in playing and have problems with motor skills that they once had mastered.

These are a few of the more common autism types, but there are others out there. Each comes with its own unique set of challenges, and each child is different. These traits will go on into adulthood, and many will require lifelong care, and even though they may show a strong sense of independence, the mundane things we can all do for ourselves seem to be lost in the shuffle of repetition and routine.

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

Diagnosing Autism - What Steps To Take

                

 

Most children with autism are diagnosed at or before age three. There are times when it is obvious that there might be a problem, and other times things can go unnoticed. Children with classic autism have signs and symptoms that are rather obvious. However, those with higher functioning forms like Asperger?s may not show signs that are not so easy to pick up on. No matter why type of function these children have, there are some things that are used in diagnosing autism that will be noticed in all children. Parents with concerns should see a doctor for proper diagnosis.

Parents are the first step in diagnosis, but doctors may notice problems before a parent. There are many signs they can see as early as age one. A child with autism will be slow to speak or communicate, if they do so at all. They may be over stimulated or under stimulated by noises and actions. They may play alone, and they may also use repetitive motions. Some children might also be super sensitive to touch, and may cry out when held. Others may have tantrums that seem to come from things that other children handle well. Sometimes the smallest change in daily routine can trigger a tantrum. They might also ignore others, and cannot seem to maintain eye contact with anyone they don?t know. Many have problems with delayed motor skills, and might appear to be very clumsy.

There are some things that must be eliminated first. A hearing test might be one of the first things tested, as a lack of hearing can explain some behaviors and signs. A child might be non-verbal because they can?t hear, and this would also explain why they don?t react to noises and other stimuli. Genetic testing might also be done to see if there is a different explanation for many of the signs of developmental delay. A child might also be tested for seizure disorders.

After this type of testing is done, and everything else is eliminated, autism is diagnosed by behaviors. There is no medical test that can pinpoint it, and it is more of a process of elimination than anything. A doctor will study and ask for details about behaviors related to the child and determine what type of autism that child might have, and how high or low functioning they might be. The categories that will be looked at are communication, socializations, and overall behaviors.

A parent who is concerned should see their doctor about diagnosing autism as soon as they can. Most children are diagnosed by age four, but some can be diagnosed sooner. An early diagnosis means that the child can begin treatments at a younger age, and this can greatly improve the quality of life. This is especially true for the higher functioning children with Asperger?s. Though there is no cure for autism, there are some programs these children and parents can use to help with communication and socialization problems. Though it is a difficult diagnosis to accept, early treatment is best.

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

Autism Therapy ? An Endless Job

                

 

Unfortunately autism at this point has no known cure and very little is known about the specific causes of this condition. Diagnosing this disorder is not easy either as often the visible signs of this condition are assumed to be ?bad-behavior? and behavior management programs are prescribed instead. One thing does seem to be certain and that is that autism therapy, started early enough does seem to help correct and at least control the condition and give the affected individual the best chance at living and integrating normally in the very often harsh day to day world we live in!

Tough on Parents

There is nothing tougher on a parent then learning that their child is autistic. The parent has to realize there is no cure and that life for their child may in fact be very difficult. The key is starting therapy as soon as possible and parents must realize that anything less can substantially worsen the odds for their child to be ale to integrate into the real world. Autism therapy consists of a series of exercises that are designed to take the child out of their own private world and bring them into the real world. Unfortunately as many parents of autistic children have learned this therapy is not always 100% successful. Once the child has a closed door and shut out the world it is often impossible to reach them and reopen it.

Since autistic children tend to isolate themselves from their environment, it is tough to teach them as they loose focus and stop observing. The most important tool for learning is the power to observe and autism therapy is designed to work around this problem and help the child learn despite this tenancy. there are different approaches that are used to accomplish this and progress is often very slow.

There is Hope

The good news is that there have been documented cases where autism therapy was started early and the children made huge advances and became able to integrate and function in the real world. It is these cases that provide hope for those that are struggling with autism. Unfortunately it is very expensive to educate an autistic child and resources are limited. The parents and their autistic dependants must fight an often difficult battle to help their loved ones survive and hopefully prosper despite their affliction. Home schooling seems to be the path most taken since government facilities are few and far between. Looking after their dependents is hard enough without having to fight the system to get what is needed. Still the hope that the child or dependent shines on with the promise of a possible cure sometime in the future.

Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Autism Info Blog. Click here for more helpful information on Autism: http://www.autisminfoblog.com

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.

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

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

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

The Different Types Of Autism Treatment

                

 

Autism refers to a brain disorder, which typically affects a child's ability to communicate, form relationships, and respond appropriately to the environment. While some people suffering from Autism are relatively high functioning, there are others who are mentally retarded, have serious language delays, or are mute.

The actual cause of Autism is not known. But Autism is relatively easy to spot, and children as young as 18 months start showing symptoms. It is futile to believe that children will just grow out of it. In fact, the early years provide the best time for progress and improvement. So, intensive therapy should begin as early as possible. While different children suffering from Autism may have different problems, parents of such children have to face one overwhelming challenge - there is no single agreed upon method for treating this condition. Parents, researchers, and doctors have not been able to reach common ground here.

Autism treatment usually consists of a combination of behavioral therapy, language and speech therapy, and special education in schools. Reports suggest that play-based behavioral therapies and alternative treatments involving dietary restrictions and vitamin supplements are beneficial. But, there is no solid proof to support this. What makes matters worse is that many children are beset with additional problems like sleeping difficulties, anxiety, or gastrointestinal problems.

ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis)
This is often referred to as the Intensive Behavioral Intervention (though there are differences between the two). Studies show that children suffering from Autism can make dramatic progress when they receive this kind of instruction. Parents and doctors mostly accept this treatment because this is one of the most researched of all treatments. This program involves intensive one-to-one interaction between the child and the teacher. Each skill is broken down into sub-skills and each of these sub-skills is taught intensely, one at a time. It is a reward-based program where toddlers receive a lot of positive reinforcement. Activities begin from simple actions (identifying colors) and progress to more advanced activities (language). ABA depends on prompting, positive reinforcement, and differential reinforcement.

Nutritional Therapy
This therapy is based on the surmise that certain ingredients in food can have a damaging effect on the brain of an autistic person. Leaving some substances out of the diet (milk and gluten, for instance) have shown startling positive changes in patients. Additionally, vitamin-B12 and magnesium supplements are administered to cover any deficiencies. These kinds of special diets curtail some of the more distressing symptoms like disruptive outbursts, restlessness, and sleeping disorders.

Anti-fungal Treatment
Since autistic children often suffer from poor bowel ecology, overgrowth of fungi and microbes is a problem. Therefore, autistic children respond well to anti-fungal treatments. These children are also found to have high concentrations of yeast and anaerobic bacteria. Evidence suggests that Candida Albicans, a form of yeast, may cause Autism and may also exacerbate the behavioral and health problems found in autistic children.

A detoxification treatment called Chelation Therapy is slowly gaining popularity among doctors. This treatment is based on the theory that some children's vaccines are exceptionally high in heavy metals like mercury preservatives, and this causes autism.

It is because of the vast multitude of therapies that many desperate parents opt for combination treatments. An estimated 30% of parents try special diets, non-traditional methods, or vitamin treatments. Music, vision therapy treatments, yoga and horseback riding are also used to treat autism. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict which children will benefit from a program or whether there is light at the end of that particular tunnel at all.
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for ForAutism.com. To learn more about autism treatment and autism causes, visit us.