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Achieving Self-control with Autism

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:19:50 +0000

Achieving Self-control with Autism

Self-discipline is a skill that most autistic children have trouble acquiring. This includes not only inappropriate outbursts, but also habits that can be potentially dangerous, such as being aggressive towards others or causing harm to themselves, such as banging their heads off walls. To prevent these and other behaviors, one technique parents and educators can use to control autistic tendencies is self-management. Giving the child power over him- or herself is often the key to keeping control over violent situations and may be a positive step towards learning other behaviors as well.

Self-management works because the child is no longer fully controlled by others. By teaching self-management during specific times of day, such as while the child is at school or therapy, the child will be more likely to continue to practicing self-control during all times of the day. The key is to implement a program in which he or she monitors his or her own behavior and activities. Begin with short amounts of time, and continue to monitor the child from a more passive standpoint. Every ten to fifteen minutes remind the child that he or she is in control and needs to monitor and be aware of good and bad behavior.

This monitoring is a form of self-evaluation. When a child is in control, he or she may think more closely about behavior in the past and present. Set clear goals with the child-for example, an afternoon with no aggression towards others or a day at school with no self-injury. Every fifteen minutes ask the child how he or she is doing. Is the goal being met? If the answer is no, perhaps the child is not ready for self-management, or perhaps the goals are too unattainable. You want to make sure that the goals are easy to reach at first, and then move the child towards more difficult goals in the future. When a child is successful at self-monitoring, he or she will have a more positive attitude towards the experience.

Of course, an important part of self-management is a rewards system. Have the child come up with his or her own reward, depending on interest. Reinforcement will make these good behavior goals more clearly marked in the child’s mind, and by choosing and rewarding him- or herself, the child will feel completely in control of the self-management system. Choose simple rewards to start, such as smiley faces for every goal met and sad faces for every goal not met, and work up to a larger goal, such as a special activity or new toy when a certain amount of smiley faces has been attained.

These types of programs do not develop overnight, so it is important that you and the child have enough time to devote to a self-management experience. By reinforcing good behavior with rewards, as determined by the child instead of by an adult, he or she will be more likely to carry this on even when not participating in the program. If your autistic child is mature enough, this could be a good treatment program to try.

“If you’re really worried a loved one with Autism might never truly enjoy life to the full – Then this may be the most critically important website you’ll ever read…
Essential Guide To Autism

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/achieving-selfcontrol-with-autism-1775924.html

Children with autism, and the strain on the marriage

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:28:52 +0000

Unfortunately, in our times, many marriages end in divorce or separation. This statistic is ?even higher when you mix in the autistic child. No matter how love and understanding, both ?of you, ask the child, the truth is that autism is a complex issue, and the load on the marriage ?is not uncommon. Trying to remain positive about the situation in order to enjoy your ?marriage healthy, you and your husband to avoid marital problems and hopefully survive ?the difficult times to raise children with autism.
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Why did you marry a husband or wife? This question can often focus on the good things in ?your marriage. Raising a child with autism is stressful, and so stressed, you tend to grab the ?other person for errors smaller. Instead of these bad qualities, take the time to come together ?as you like in the beginning of the relationship. This may at some time with their children. If ?you learn that your child is autistic, it is advantageous to you and your spouses are not only ?two people who meet your child. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers, baby sitters, or ?good people of your child’s life in the most intimate way possible. Thus, even with your ?partner as possible.
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Working with your partner, to help your child, rather than fighting each other. E ‘may have ?different ideas about what to do in certain situations, willing to compromise and professional ?advice before making decisions is always caring for the child. By working together, to remind ?you that your child the best opportunities. Try to set aside time each week together as a ?family, especially if the parents or other primary health care.

Complate story >>>>

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/children-with-autism-and-the-strain-on-the-marriage-1711358.html

Doctors and the diagnosis of autism

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:47:45 +0000

When the doctor suggests that your child with autism, the immediate reaction of disbelief ?and the desire for second, third and fourth also ask for advice. Because autism is difficult to ?diagnose so different in every child’s illness. There are several important areas in which ?physicians efficiently identify autism in children, and if your child shows any of these ?symptoms of autism, you must bring your pediatrician immediately to express his concern.
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Autism occurs at a young age, when adult children the symptoms may develop. It is much ?earlier in the rule at the age of three years, and in many cases already. The first signs of ?autism are usually delays or regression in speech communication. Another early sign of ?abnormal behavior in group play situations and other social situations. The first step in the ?diagnosis of autism is a thorough medical examination and a review of the specialties of ?family history. Even if your pediatrician will be able to detect unusual behavior, you should ?keep your child who is a professional specializing in autism and similar illnesses that your ?child is diagnosed correctly treated.
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The next step includes hearing. Sine language and social skills could be delays due to ?inadequate auditory sensations. There are two types of hearing tests hearing, one of which ?records the tones a child can and the other measures that require a quiet and the brain ?responds to certain sounds. Obviously the first method is preferred because it does not ?require the use of sedatives to. According to the oral examination, your doctor may ?recommend an examination of your child’s Fragile X syndrome, which often times goes hand ?in hand with autism. Are metabolized, can also be evaluated. To do this, your doctor blood ?or urine sample for DNA analysis.

Complate story>>>>>>

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/doctors-and-the-diagnosis-of-autism-1693358.html

About Asperger Syndrome

News Elf — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:46:47 +0000

Thought these spectrum disorders can affect two children with the same diagnosis in varying manners they may share certain behaviour patterns and can exhibit a wide range of abilities and skills. As a result these children show “low functioning,” “high functioning,” pervasive developmental disorders” and “autistic tendencies”. Kids with AS usually show the symptoms with “high functioning” autism.

About Asperger Syndrome

This disorder was named after the Viennese paediatrician, Hans Asperger in 1940. He first described a group of behaviour patterns which were apparent in some of his patients, mostly males. He noticed that though these boys had normal language development and intelligence, they had impaired social skills, had poor co-ordination and could not communicate very effectively with others.

According to the Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the United States, the onset of AS is much later than in autism or at least it is diagnosed later. Most kids are diagnosed between the ages 5 and 9, though many are diagnosed after age 3 as well. It is very difficult to understand the symptoms of a child with AS and so it is better that you let an experienced doctor or other health professionals make the diagnosis. It is not unheard of thought that a child is diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) before being diagnosed with AS at a later stage.

Symptoms and Signs

Minimal or inappropriate social interactions
Most conversations are almost always revolving around themselves rather than others
They have a lack of “common sense”
They have “scripted,” “robotic,” or repetitive speech
Obsession with complex topics such as patterns or music
Problems with reading, math, or writing skills are apparent
They have average to below-average nonverbal, cognitive abilities, though their verbal cognitive abilities are usually average to above-average
odd behaviours or mannerisms
awkward movements

Note: Unlike kids with autism, those with AS might show no delays in their language development. They usually have advanced vocabulary and good grammatical skills at an early age. However, they typically do exhibit a certain language disorder — they might have trouble using language in a social context and might be very literal.

Treating Asperger Syndrome:

As Asperger Syndrome behaviours and patterns can vary from child to child there isn’t a typical treatment regimen, but these following treatments could benefit your child as they can benefit greatly from the right programme which needs to be structured keeping the child’s needs in mind. You could contact Beach’s Therapy for a therapist to help you out at www.beachstherapy.com.au.

Miaranda Raines has worked as a counsellor with various organisations and has helped a large number of individuals. Her articles are an outcome of her own experiences in the field and are enlightening.
www.beachstherapy.com.au

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/about-asperger-syndrome-1674932.html

Autism and Communication

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:14:34 +0000

Getting one’s needs met and to exist happily in one’s family, community and beyond is dependent on the ability to communicate. As non-autistic individuals we can use ourselves to communicate our needs and express our feelings. The autistic individual depending on their functioning level, has anywhere from extremely limited (nonexistent in some) to some ability to ask for their needs to be met. Some people with autism seem to communicate by perseverating on a topic that seems to not relate at all to whatever the topic might be. For example, one child may become fixated on televisions and only be able to talk about this subject, no matter what else is being discussed. It is not unusual for autistic individuals to seem to come out of “left field” with what they might say. For example, the topic may be “going to the grocery store and what will be bought at the store.” The child may say, “you are pretty.”

There are also individuals who are nonverbal, those who use echolalia and still others that can only express their needs by reversing their pronouns. When they want a cookie to eat, instead of saying “I want a cookie,” the child may say, “you want a cookie.”

Let’s make sense of what is going on. If as I am suggesting the child has not had the benefit of an attachment, lacks the ability to use him/herself in relationship to others and is also in a state of dissociation with varying degrees of consciousness then I would continue to propose that the child’s ability to communicate is going to be compromised. Let me explain how these different elements contribute to not only problems in communicating, but also relating to others.

It is important to remember that the autistic individual wants to communicate and in fact is always communicating about himself even though he may be nonverbal, echolalic or reversing pronouns. He is like any human being in that he has a need to communicate. Unfortunately, because he has had an incomplete attachment, he cannot identify his feelings, which are dissociated, and therefore cannot use those feelings to express his needs. In other words, he has not developed to a level where he has self-agency. This means he literally cannot ask for anything for his own benefit. This is not a physical problem, but instead a “developmental problem” that can change over time.

It is my opinion, that what one sees with the nonverbal autistic child is the reverse of what one sees with a “typical” child. I call this phenomenon “Inside out, upside down.” In other words, the unconscious part of the child is on the outside and the conscious part is in the inside. That is why some nonverbal autistic children seem out of control and low functioning, but with the use of a computer can communicate beautifully in writing. This is a very good example of the split or dissociation of the self. Most people are unfamiliar with seeing the ‘unconscious.’ Because most people are unfamiliar with the workings of the unconscious, autistic individuals are constantly misunderstood.

The phenomenon of echolalia is also something that can be understood. One first needs to remember that the autistic child has minimal and varying (depending on their functioning level) ability to use oneself in relationship to others. Also it is important to remember that a lack of attachment precludes one from being able to use one’s self. Thus echolalia is the result of not being able to use one’s self. The child only has access to what they hear. They may hear “do you want a cookie?” Developmentally all the child can do is mimic the other person. There is no awareness and ability to use the self in response to the other. Thus the end result is a repetition of what the child heard.

The child who reverses his pronouns and uses ‘you’ to mean ‘I’ is beginning to use his self with others. The child uses ‘you’ because it is safer than ‘me or I.’ The autistic child does not feel safe in the world. Everything is confusing, awkward and anxiety producing. The use of ‘you’ as it refers to the self is another example of dissociation. As I mentioned before the child is split. As the child develops and he becomes less split and gains more agency, he will then move to using the pronoun ‘me’ and finally as he has more and more access to himself, he will be able to use ‘I.’ There seems to be a direct correlation to the use of ‘I’ and ability to know and access feelings and use them in relationship to others.

Now lets look at why the communication of autistic individuals appears inappropriate. First of all, I believe that an autistic individual is always communicating his state of existence. Unfortunately, most perceive these communications from their own experience, which includes having completed the attachment process. In working with autistic individuals, many try to extinguish the “odd” behaviors of the child. In doing so, we are not understanding the message the child is trying to communicate through his strange behaviors. We in a sense are helping them feel misunderstood versus understood and not seen versus seen. Instead these communications need to be understood within the context of a child who has never attached and cannot use the self to communicate. Every behavior that the child uses can be understood and must be understood so that the child can gain understanding and recognition, which are precursors to being able to attach. Our work with the autistic person is to understand, validate, accept and recognize the autistic person. If the caregiver or professional can recognize and see the child, then the child can start to see him or herself.

In concluding, I want to restate that the perseverations, the out of context communications, the use of pronoun reversal, echolalia, nonverbal communication, to name only a few, can be understood through the lens of an “Incomplete Attachment” which leaves the individual in a state waiting for the completed attachment and without access to self or what I call self-agency.

Karen Savlov is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and psychoanalyst practicing in West Los Angeles. She is affiliated with the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis. She specializes in autism spectrum disorders, depression, anger management, assertion training, communication, anxiety, relationships and work related issues. She has worked for many years with children, adolescents and adults including those on the autism spectrum continuum. She has also provided trainings and support groups for parents of children with autism. She is now running groups for college age students with developmental disabilities. She has made presentations on this subject at numerous conferences and meetings.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/autism-and-communication-1661250.html

Aspergers…The Beginning

News Elf — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 03:44:12 +0000

It wasn’t long after my last son was born that I realized something was very different about him. Most infants struggle at first with sleeping through the night and then eventually adjust to some semblance of a schedule. Not only did my son not sleep at night, I can’t remember a single day when he took a nap. Instead, he would take a five minute “snap” periodically. Putting him in bed with me was the only way that we could get any sleep. He would scream the entire time that he was away from me and expressed odd sensory issues with color, texture, and movement.

Developmentally he appeared to be somewhat advanced in his speech and upper motor skills. He seemed to fear nothing relating to physical activity. At seven months he was found in the top kitchen cupboard. By one and a half he managed to disappear and was found by a neighbor two blocks away. Yet his perception of his world seemed skewed. He would often complain that people (even his siblings) were “looking at him.” Misinterpretation of what was being said to him became increasingly frustrating for all involved. On the one hand he was fearless (physically) and seemed to be limited in his ability to feel pain. On the other hand he was constantly fearful and expressed irrational anxiety at otherwise “normal” situations. Trips to the Super center and even church became increasingly less worth the bother because of his anxious behavior/meltdowns.

Life was odd, but manageable. Once he began attending school I experienced for the first time a measure of “discipline” problems with my child. Having three older children who excelled in school and were well disciplined, I was unprepared for what was to come. By third grade it was obvious that my youngest son was experiencing some difficulties in comprehension, written expression and social interaction. He was eight years old and in the fourth grade when the situation with my son rose far beyond just the next level. It was then that my life changed drastically as I began to seek out professionals, diagnosis, and information that could help me not just manage, but save my son.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/aspergersthe-beginning-1650536.html

Animal Therapy for Autism

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:31:44 +0000

Dolphins can help children with autism

Dolphins are one of the most intelligent animals in the world. Researchers found out that they can help people who suffer from neurological disorders, especially autistic children. Dolphin therapy is claimed to increase speech and motor skills of children with autism, however, it’s still a controversial topic.

Dolphins are popular in human culture because of their friendly appearance and loveable attitude, in Greek myths, dolphins are helpers of the Minoans, messengers of Poseidon. Recently, Dr. Ken Marten at Sea Life Park in Hawai’i demonstrated that dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors, and, they are also sentient, fully conscious, with complex language of their own. Nowadays, Dolphins are among the most popular choices of animal-assisted therapy for children with autism, Down’s syndrome, depression and other developmental disabilities and psychological problems. In dolphin assisted therapy (DAT) programs, kids on the Autism Spectrum could swim with dolphins in natatorium, and having lessons on land. Commonly, kids are delighted to pet and play with dolphins, but there is no scientific evidence to prove that the dolphin therapy is effective.

“It provides me with hope, more than anything,” said Omar Ramos, whose son, John-Ross, has autism. “I want my child to be able to experience a lot of different things, and so it gives me a lot of hope, especially when I see him being able to do stuff in the water or with the dolphin, even with a computer.”

Many children would enjoy playful interaction with a dolphin, however, dolphin therapy can not “cure” autism as other therapies. But, it can make kids happy, so it’s still worth a try.

Service Dogs and Autism

First, do you really need an autism service dog?

Special trained dogs can help people with disability to become more independent, including people with autism. For adults and teens, an service dog is much more practical, because they are capable of handling the dog by themselves. At the same time, it doesn’t mean that autistic children cannot have service dogs, on the contrary, they could benefit kids with autism in a lot of ways. For example, if the child doesn’t come or respond when called, the dog can help you find him/her quickly, especially in school or other public places. Also, the dog could help the child become more social with their peers. These are the bright side of an autism service dog, but, you have to look at the dark side also to make an final decision. The dark side is that the child cannot take care of the dog, the parent have to look after the dog, too. And the fee of an autism service dog is very high. Besids, a dog has about the same intelligence as a three year old, would you trust a three year old with the care of your child? Ok, all things considered, let’s suppose that you still want a dog, then you must pay attention to the following questions.

Second, what is the right Service Dog breed for autistic people?

These dog breeds are recommended for people on the autism spectrum, Newfoundland, bloodhound, border collie, Yellow Labs, golden retriever or other highly intelligent breed. Many large dogs are great with kid, gentle and peaceful. Try to avoid small dogs. I cannot say which breed is the best for children with autism, after all every autistic person is different. You may need to hire an animal behavioral consultant to pick up a dog with you and your child. You can choose several most gentle dogs and bring them outside to meet your child to see which one can socialize with her/him best.

Third, how to pick up an autism service dog?

Proper training is the key in an autism service dog. Official service dogs are strictly trained on how to behave with people. Also, the match of the personality of the dog and the child is very important.

Horseback riding therapy for autism

We came back from horseback riding therapy for autism. My daughters respite worker and a little old lady who works at the stable was leading her horse. The horse got spooked and took off running and it ripped the rieigns out of our respite workers hands and out of the little old lady?? hands who was leading the horse but it took longer for her to let go so the horse dragged her a few feet.

I was watching and screaming whoa, not that it did any good but I didn?? know what to do to get the horse to stop. It was very scary and I felt helpless because my daughter was on the horse as it took off running. She was laughing and enjoy the ride until his speed threw her from the horse. I was horrified as I watched her fly through the air. All I have to say is my little girl is one tough cookie.I thought she was going to get back up and say let?? do that again. She didn?? but she didn?? seem very effected by the fact that she had just gotten thrown from the horse but my respite worker was so upset she was crying because she felt it was her fault that my daughter got thrown. When my daughter saw her crying she began crying. So I right away went over to calm our respite worker down while my husband was on the ground with my daugther. I did feel that it was better for all of us to remain calm rather than get upset because it would be harder to find out if my daughter actually got hurt. She appears to be ok. I think she is going to be sore tomorrow but she was not affected much by that whole incident. But I have to say being the one standing on the sidelines watching it, it all looked very scary. We have one more week left of the fall sessions and I don?? know if I am going to go back.

They always tell the kids to keep their feet in the stirrups but I think that is scary to do that because if my daughters feet got stuck in those stirrups the horse would have dragged her as he raced around that barn. The other thing I don?? like is that the lady who runs it doesn?? seem to really understand autism at all. She talks to the kids like they totally understand everything she says and honestly my daughter can be as unpredicatable as that horse so I think this place needs to have a better understanding of autism and also their trained people should be leading those horses and those who know the rules of the barn so that they don?? spook the horse but us parents who know nothing about horses are out there leading them. It just seems way too dangerous of a combination. She tried telling me that this has never ever happened but I find that hard to believe. The horses they are using seem old and tired out. None of them wanted to trot. Thank God she is Ok.

The webmaster of www.autism-world.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/animal-therapy-for-autism-1539315.html

Aspergers Syndrome, What You Need To Know

News Elf — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:37:39 +0000

Does it sound like aspergers? – General Autism Discussion

Oh no.. not another “do i have aspergers?” thread Cool Well im not english speaking so my english is not that good.. Im a girl and im 19 and i live in israel, and they gave me asperger dx but im not sure i have it Sad …

Tips to Determine if Your Child has Asperger's Syndrome

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Elise’s profileRaising Asperger’s KidsBlogLists · Tools · Send a private message · Subscribe to RSS feed · Tell a friend · Add to My MSN · Add to Live.com · Add to your network · Sign up for alerts. Help. Blog …

Documentary about Asperger’s Syndrome

This short documentary about Asperger’s Syndrome shown on TV in 2005 is about me, I have mild Asperger’s Syndrome. I was diagnosed in 2002. I knew I was different from the age of about 6 years old, hypotheses included – the reincarnation of King David or Pliny the Elder, a left behind Space Alien and finally mild autism (after seeing a TV documentary). Other pupils were loud and ran around randomly, while I preferred a mature intellectual life. I became interested in astronomy/science ~3 …

Recognize Early Signs Of Autism

News Elf — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:34:00 +0000

Here at Autism.News-Elf.com, we make it a point to keep our eyes open for the great content that will help you learn about or deal with Autism in your life. Today, we have a video we felt was helpful…

How to Recognize the Early Signs of Autism

Know the early signs of autism and check to see if your child exhibits them.

Latest Autism News Across The Globe

News Elf — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:01 +0000

The Autism-Vaccine Controversy: Special Needs Living: Toddler …

This week, CafeMom aurorabunny talks about the vaccination debate and how it can divide the special needs and parenting communities. Each week in Special Needs Living, aurorabunny, mom to 3-year old Brody, who has autism, …

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AGE OF AUTISM: Katie Wright: Autism and Amanda Peet, By a Parasite

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The Means to Know if Your Child has Asperger’s

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:50:09 +0000

Asperger’s Syndrome is a milder kind of autistic illness. The conditions are part of a larger cluster of neurological disorders known in the US as Pervasive Developmental Disorders, or PDD for short. Both are essentially described by illogical actuations and purposeful self-ostracism. There may be difficulty as well in vocalization and response actions. Your young one could also be specifically concentrated on a exact area of interest, for example cars or heavenly bodies. This powerful confinement of interest to the omission of everything else produce the self-ostracism. Any conversation is as well confined to that matter and nothing else.

Medicine has not as of today identified the actual reasons of autism and Asperger’s though they think the causes are physical. Disfigurements in the brain are considered to cause the disorder, but the means they come about is not known.

There is no authoritative examination for Asperger’s, but there are certain indications, including:
- Apparent lack of sociability shown by the succeeding: messed up nonverbal communication, failure to achieve by-age colleagues associations, non- participation in collective actions, inability to reciprocate communally and/or in terms of feelings
- repeated actuational or concentration activities like: abnormal level of interest in one or two certain areas, performing strictly particular processes of no use, cyclical actuations, such as hand or finger shaking, inordinate interest in parts of articles such as toys, no noticeable hindrance in learning the language, learns or identifies applicable toilette skills

The appearance of one or more of the above symptoms may direct your therapist to assume the tyke is affected with Asperger’s. Cure will center on communications, abnormal recurrent actuations and reaction ungainliness.

There aren’t any healing regimens for Asperger’s that will make it leave. Yet, by employing a blend of methods that tackle the three main manifestations of the condition (low interaction capacities, compulsive or repetitive actuations and body clumsiness); you can assist your kid live a fairly ordinary existenceYet, in dealing with the greatest indications of the disorder, the Asperger’s young person may keep a pretty – ordinary life

Therapy for autism can help deal with Asperger’s if you seek an expert therapist. There is no lone cure for this ailment, but cognitive behavioral therapists can be useful.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/the-means-to-know-if-your-child-has-aspergers-1515524.html

Autism Teaching Techniques – What to Remember When Teaching Autistic Children

News Elf — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:26:01 +0000

Good educators are those who assist children in autism achieve success. They should be able to help their pupils overcome autism.

Teaching autistic children is not recently limited on the patients; instructors must furthermore interact with the parents and more and more family members. Parents need to be aware of their children’s case and they must have special participation in the planning of the instructions and curriculum and in monitoring the progress of their child. If teachers let the parents do their share in the learning process, the child will get not just good school experience but also better and more productive learning experiences at home.

Here are some things teachers have to bear in mind when teaching children with autism:

1. Long strings or series of verbal instructions must be avoided. As a teacher, you must always bear in mind that autistic individuals find it hard to instill the sequence in their memory. So if he or she can read, just write down the instructions on a sheet of paper. If you are giving directions involving more than three steps, write them down.

2. Most autistic people are visual thinkers. Many people with autism think in pictures, not in language. So if you want to make them familiar with some words, use pictures to demonstrate such words to the child.

3. Autistic children usually get stuck on a certain subject such as maps or cars. Since fixations on some things just can’t be avoided, better utilize them to encourage school work.

4. Utilize concrete visual techniques to teach children with number concepts. In teaching autistic children with numbers, it would be better to use visual methods such as math toys.

5. Protect children with autism from sounds that usually hurt their ears. Loud sounds irritate autistic children, so protect them by avoiding things that produce such sounds. Don’t let the child have fear on the sounds he or she doesn’t like because it can make him or her behave badly. Autism Teaching Techniques

6. If the autistic child is hyperactive, let him wear a padded weighted vest. Such apparel help calm autistic children that’s hyperactive. The garment gives pressure that calms the person’s nervous system. It would be better to allow the child to wear the vest for twenty minutes and take it off for a few minutes. This way, the nervous system is prevented from getting used to the said outfit.

7. Most children with autism have troubles controlling the motor in their hands. It is for this reason that most autistic children have messy handwriting. Oftentimes, they find it hard to achieve good handwriting and this can totally upset them. So to avoid or at least lessen such frustration, better help the child find pleasure in learning by letting him or her type on the computer.

8. Make sure the child’s desk is near the window. Fluorescent lights and some visual distractions bother autistic individuals. So when teaching autistic children, avoid illuminating the room by means of fluorescent lights and let them sit near the window.

9. Children with autism are oftentimes good at art, drawing, and computer. If you notice that the child is good in a certain field, encourage them to use and improve their talents.

10. There are autistic children who easily learn how to read using phonics while some learn by memorizing the words. This is also an important consideration in teaching autistic children. Since they learn reading the easy way through the help of phonics, then teach them phonics rule. Don’t let your child suffer anymore! Lead your child out of his world through Autism Teaching Techniques program now!

Autism Teaching Techniques is a proven Autism Solution for your Child.

Try The Program and change child’s life forever!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/autism-teaching-techniques-what-to-remember-when-teaching-autistic-children-1498558.html

Heavy Metals: The Unseen Killers

News Elf — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:06:19 +0000

Some startling facts are coming to light and leaving most of us grasping for breath. Never has the incidence rate of Autism been so high.

Never has so many children been at risk.

And thanks to one company’s diligent work with liquid activated zeolites, never has it been so easy to help detox and remove heavy metals without chelation. It’s painless, oderless, tasteless. It’s never been so easy to get those that need it most to consume it.

Types Of Autism – There Are 5 Different Types of Autism Disorders

News Elf — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:37:58 +0000

Author: Autism Advisor

Types Of Autism

Autism is a complex developmental disability amongst many distinct values of severity. Technically, there is one diagnosis that is Autism. People do but then refer to the Pervasive Developmental Disorders as disorders on the Autism spectrum or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental brain disorders that cause impaired social interaction, concerns amongst verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or majorly limited activities and interests. Autism is just one of uni different sorts of Autism disorders. Below are definitions and characteristics of the five different autism disorders.

Classic Autism: Autism is the second leading childhood developmental disorder and is considered the most severe of the different types of Autism disorders. People with Classic Autism develop language late, or not at all. People affected with Classic Autism have difficulties talking with other people or a profound lack of affection or emotional contact with others, an intense wish for sameness in routines, muteness or abnormality of speech, high levels of Visio-spatial skills, but major learning difficulties in other areas. Symptoms of autism usually appear during the first three years of childhood and continue throughout life. Autism is a spectrum disorder because the severity of impairment in each of these areas differs in each individual.

Aspergers Syndrome: A Person with Aspergers Syndrome can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Children show deficiencies in social skill and have difficulties with transitions or changes. They compulsively cling to rituals and any changes in their routine can upset them. They have a great difficulty reading body language and determining proper body space. Some children with Aspergers Syndrome have reduced sensitivity to pain and an increased sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises.

With this type of Autism disorders they also have average or above-average intelligence. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: Childhood Disintegrative Disorder includes severe regression in communication skills, social behavior, and all developmental motor skills. At the beginning these children seem perfectly normal. They start to regress at between ages 2-4 years. At that time these children stop socializing, lose potty-training skills, stop playing, lose motor skills and stop making friends. Types Of Autism

Rett Syndrome: Rett syndrome is a neurological and developmental disorder that mostly occurs in females and is marked by poor head growth. Loss of muscle tone is usually the first symptom. Other early symptoms may include problems crawling or walking and diminished eye contact. They stop using their hands to do things and often develop stereotyped hand movements, such as wringing, clapping, or patting their hands.

The inability to perform motor functions is perhaps the most severely disabling feature of Rett syndrome, interfering with every body movement, including eye gaze and speech. Infants with Rett syndrome seem to grow and develop normally at first, but then stop developing and even lose skills and abilities. Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified: This tends to describe people who have many or all of the different types of Autism disorders.

Children with PDDNOS either do not fully meet the criteria of symptoms used to diagnose any of the four specific types above, and/or do not have the degree of impairment described in any of the above four specific types. Don’t let your child suffer anymore! Lead your child out of his world through Types Of Autism program now!

About the Author:

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Types Of Autism – There Are 5 Different Types of Autism Disorders

Treatment of Autism – The Importance of Supplements That Many People Overlook

News Elf — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:59:02 +0000

Bringing you the best Autism Information available on the web today. Got this for you from Elliot Snow

Autism is kind of disorder that affects the social and behavioral skills of children. This syndrome usually manifests when the child is an infant, especially during his or her third birthday. The child with autism finds it difficult to communicate effectively and this is can be frustrating to those around, especially the parents.

Source: Treatment of Autism – The Importance of Supplements That Many People Overlook

Why It Matters if Jett Travolta Was Autistic

News Elf — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:08:25 +0000

Source: Kate Dailey
By Claudia Kalb

In the aftermath of his son Jett’s death, John Travolta told Bahamian police that Jett had autism. This according to police reports published by the National Enquirer (which, while not the most respected news source, have gotten scoops on big stories. They also pay their sources, which helps them obtain documents like these). If true, this admission marks a long-awaited moment.

Hollywood types and autism advocates had been speculating about Jett’s condition for years before the 16-year-old died in January. Critics accused the Travoltas, who are Scientologists, of denying their son’s condition and, possibly, denying him appropriate care. Many of them went as far as diagnosing Jett themselves. On one site, a user posted a YouTube clip of the Travolta family in the streets of Paris. Labeled, “Video proof of Jett Travolta’s autism,” the clip showed what the user claimed were tell-tale signs of autism, including the “100 Mile Look.” Despite all the chatter, the Travolta’s insisted that their son had Kawasaki Disease, an inflammation of the blood vessels. Even after his death, they never mentioned autism.

Why does it matter now? Over at Gawker, the commenters are decrying the site’s decision to publicize the news as an “in your face, Scientology!” kind of expose. Says commenter user_21938, “There are plenty of other opportunities to highlight the flaws and idiocy of Scientology. You can afford to leave the Travoltas alone.”

This alleged statement is important—but not because it exposes a supposed inconsistency in Travolta’s faith. The autism world is filled with controversies: over vaccines, over treatments, over diagnostic labels. The uproars cause infighting, the infighting stalls progress. If Jett was autistic, at least the Travolta hoopla—which consumed a significant amount of time and energy in certain circles of the autism world—can come to an end.

Consensus on Jett’s diagnosis could inspire some much-needed kindness and support in the autism world, for both the Travolta’s and for the entire autism community. Travolta also has star power, of course, and his acknowledgment, no matter how private, could help eliminate the rampaging stigma that too often accompanies the condition.

Something good should come out of Jett Travolta’s tragic death. In this case, a public acknowledgment of autism—along with the end of some nasty, speculative, counter-productive infighting—might just be it. It would raise awareness and put a face to the disorder: the face of a young man who was loved not for his diagnosis, but for who he was.

Autism In Cambodia, A Ray Of Hope

News Elf — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:46:10 +0000

Vetta’s life was hard from the start. As a mere infant he was abandoned on the streets of Cambodia. He was subsequently taken to an orphanage where he grew up lacking fundamental support. He became aggressive when something frustrated or angered him, erratic. He would bang his head, spin and twirl objects, and rock back and forth for comfort. Those caregivers in the orphanage, could not understand him, they would hit him, swear at him, call him crazy. Many things scared Vetta, other children, other people. He would push away from people, hide. To make matters worse, Vetta seemed unable, or unwilling to speak.

Vetta is not crazy, Vetta has autism. And in developing nations, developmental delays and neurological disorders such as autism are often significantly misunderstood. Those with such disabilities are some of the most marginalized and at-risk groups in Cambodia. Children such as Vetta, are often abandoned or, if not abandoned, hidden away in their homes without education, therapy or friends. Treated like animals.

But in a place like Cambodia, and in an environment of poverty, misunderstanding and such difficulty, there is nonetheless hope. This hope comes from a nonprofit institution called Hagar International which operates a facility called “House of Smiles.” Along with educational support, these children receive physical and occupational therapies, along with participating in cooperative programs designed to facilitate mainstreaming opportunities, such as the programs at the Takhmao School located just outside Phnom Penh where this school’s over 1500 students are “buddied up” with special needs peers.

For Vetta, the House of Smiles program and the therapy it provides him has taught him how to begin to speak, and he is becoming more independent and involved in the community. He smiles more, enjoys greater mobility, has learned to read and live with greater independence and dignity within the community.
For all those benefiting from this small nonprofit organization program, the goal is reintegration into society. Now 17 years old, Vetta continues his education and support with House of Smiles and has even found a foster family.

Hagar’s House of Smiles program, demonstrates that in developing nations, and impoverished financial circumstances, people’s lives are being changed for the better. Those once hidden away are being helped, integrated into society, and taught the skills that allow them to seek their own happiness.

Brian Field is the co-founder of the Autism Support Network and National Autism Examiner

Risperdal & Similar Psychotropic Drugs and Autism

News Elf — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:06:34 +0000

Jean Genet, a brain researcher and an autism survivor himself, truly believes that psychotropic drugs (i.e. Risperdal) can produce negative responses for the child over time. Although it is a stimulant drug which is known to fight ADHD, it is not immune from negative consequences. This is why kids with autism should be given better forms of treatment if possible.

Source: Health and Fitness: Autism Articles from EzineArticles.com

Autism Strategies – Living With, Loving and Caring For Autism

News Elf — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:06:34 +0000

There are perhaps close to a million children in the United States living with autism today. There is perhaps four times that number of kids that live in America with various syndromes that fall within the autism spectrum. This information is not meant to scare you; it is meant to give you strength in the realization that you are not alone.

There may not be a cure for autism just yet, but there is a lot of research that is ongoing with the greatest strides achieved only within the last couple of decades. It is only a question of time before someone finds the cause and/or the cure of the severe developmental disorder that has rendered so many children unable to enjoy their childhood, or any parts of their lives whatsoever.

But until that happens, you are going to have to live with the person in your family who is suffering from the condition that disturbs their ability to perceive things or to develop relationships. In that wise, you may want to talk to a psychiatrist or psychologist about what steps you can take, or you may want to just read on and learn ways by which you can handle the disorder without letting it handle you. You see, if you really love the victim enough and are determined to help him or her, you can, even if they don’t realize you are trying to help them. Yes, in such a situation, love and care can help far more than anything else!

Click Autism Causes and Symptoms to learn top secrets of Autism Symptoms and Signs. You will truly be shocked with the secrets contained in these links all for free!

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Autism-Strategies—Living-With,-Loving-and-Caring-For-a-Sufferer-of-the-Condition&id=3181296

Autism Cure For Children – Does One Really Exist?

News Elf — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:06:34 +0000

There are thousands of families across the globe who have children born with autism, and they are all looking for the best autism cure. Just imagine if you had a child and then suddenly realized that your child is slow on comprehension, won’t look you in the eye, and has mood swings which are confusingly daunting.

Source: Health and Fitness: Autism Articles from EzineArticles.com

Symposium Raises Awareness Of Specialists And Pediatricians About GI Disorders In Autism And Identifies Critical Areas For Further Study

News Elf — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:06:34 +0000

Autism Speaks, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) will host one of the largest gatherings of researchers, clinicians and pediatric specialists to better understand the gastrointestinal (GI) problems in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Source: MedWorm: Autism

How to Detect Autism Early On In Life

News Elf — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:26:00 +0000

No parent wants to contemplate that their child may be suffering from autism, a devastating developmental disorder that is anticipated to affect more than one in 150 children in the United States. The affliction is thought to affect children from birth or the very first few months of life, and typically results in an abnormal development in the areas of language and communication, activities, and social interaction. Whilst there is no cure for autism, there are very many different therapies and procedures available to help mitigate its effects; early diagnosis is very important.

As it is often very difficult for parents to analyze the intricate behaviors of their newborn child, it is also extremely difficult to determine whether the child is autistic or not. As all aspects of behavior are still quite immature in babies, including the ability to communicate, to establish relationships and to be involved in normal day-to-day activities, it can take quite a bit of time to identify deviations from what is considered normal. There are also a wide variety of symptoms, other factors and possibly other illnesses present, further complicating the ability to diagnose. Unfortunately, if autism is present in a child with exceptional mental ability, unusual behaviors or other related abnormalities might easily be dismissed.

While there still isn’t any absolute cure for autism, its cause also remains completely unknown. Most specialists think that prenatal damage to the brain is the most probable cause. Also, some experts think that the condition isn’t actually present at birth, while others think that it’s caused by external factors, such as the introduction of certain chemicals during routine vaccinations.

The incredible importance of the early identification of autism can’t be over-stressed. Should behaviors deviate far from the normal pattern of development, treatment and adjustment may be difficult. Often, the child may resist any efforts to change their behavior. It is rather unusual to achieve a diagnosis of autism before the age of two years. Thus, many experts are calling for specialist training to be given to primary care workers and family doctors, to enable them to recognize signs at the earliest possible age. Parents, especially those with no other children, do not know what to expect and can often not judge whether or not the baby is developing “normally”.

Studies have shown that there are likely two distinct types of autistic infant. On the one hand, there is a very quiet and undemanding child and on the other hand a very troubled baby who cannot be pacified and exhibits tantrums and behavior outbursts. The child may show aggression, anger, or may kick or hit others or animals. Other behaviors may be displayed, such as banging heads, constantly rocking back and forth, or scratching at blankets. The child may be fascinated by shiny objects yet appear to be disinterested in the majority of regular stimulants – objects or people.

During a clinical study of 28 cases dealing with autistic symptoms in very young children, a 1990 study suggested that it is possible to recognize autism in infancy. In particular, three areas should be observed.

Gaze: the study suggests that the infant will exhibit an unusual quality of gaze with this condition. The autistic baby will gaze only briefly and out of the corner of its eye.

Hearing: the autistic child will very likely not be deaf, but will exhibit symptoms as if it were. Very loud noises usually cause no reaction, but repetitive or unusual, brief sounds may invoke a lot of interest. This is potentially tied to perception abnormalities.

Social Relationships: in general, young babies tend to exhibit a particular interest in play, whilst babies with autism may show a complete lack of interest in this area and may shy away from social interaction with others. The autistic infant will likely not be easily stimulated, have a short attention span or may not show an interest in playing baby games, enjoy interaction with others or engage in communication with peers; this may be the primary pointer for parents to consider.

Early intervention remains the key to help improve the long-term prospects for the suffering child. It is important that health professionals who specialize in pediatrics understand and observe the potential characteristics and help parents to accurately diagnose and plan for the future.

Bonita Darula is widely renown for her insights into the prevention of autism. Her celebrated materials have helped thousands of people from around the World find a new sense of hope. If you’d like to discover the secret truth about autism in its early stages, take a few moments to visit this site – and find out more today!

Autistic Children and their Communication Skills

News Elf — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:13:33 +0000

Communication skills for autistic children differ from the norm, including their thinking process. Children with autism find words too busy, so it’s easier to retain information through pictures. Through remembrance of pictures, autistic children are able to understand others and express themselves.

Autistic children learn verbal language by converting text to pictures. While most people have a tendency to do tasks in order, individuals with autism have a radically different visual style of thinking. Therefore, the actual shapes of the pictures and the color of the pictures plays a crucial role in the way they’ll think and feel. Pictures help autistic children discover a vocabulary that’s much easier to express.

According to several studies, people with autism usually think visually because the section of the brain which deals with visual tasks is far more active. Also, the language and spatial areas in the cortical regions of the brain aren’t anywhere near as synchronized as other people who don’t have the disorder.

Visual thinking allows children with autism to compensate for spoken and written words. Because the brain of a child with autism functions differently, he or she can comprehend things through building detailed visuals and memorizing them. An autistic child takes concepts, which are sensory instead of being word based, and compartmentalizes them into small details to construct a complete picture.

In time, autistic children can learn abstract words and ideas through visual concepts, like pictures and objects. For example, if a particular stuffed animal makes a child happy, it would become their visual symbol for the word happy. Bright colors for pictures can stimulate brain activity in the thinking process of autistic children.

Autistic children usually find it much easier to express themselves within a highly structured environment. Because people with autism think visually, it’s important that they are taught using visuals, such as pictures, objects, line drawings, or symbols. Through spatial memory to pictures or objects, autistic individuals can associate the appropriate words and develop communication skills so they’re able to function in society.

For children with autism, a string of words or verbal instructions are learned through visual demonstration. For instance, the word “up” is easier to express in a picture of balloons in soft colors being lifted upward. Concrete visual methods, like flashcards and blocks in soft colors, are easier to retain among autistic children and help in teaching numbers and other concepts. Long verbal phrases need to be avoided or written down because autistic children have difficulty remembering a lot of steps or word sequences.

Research that compared the brain regions of people with autism to those without found that most people with autism excel in art and drawing. As such, autistic children do well with a color coded system that allows them to think through a remembrance of pictures. For example, an autistic child learns about what to do at an intersection by thinking of its concept. These thoughts are tiny color coded pictures of various types of intersections. When the situation arises, the mind gathers this information and presents it visually so the autistic child remembers what to do at an intersection.

Autistic children generally think in detailed pictures instead of words because it’s much easier for them to categorize and remember the information. By associating a noun to the color and shape of pictures or objects, the autistic child creates a spatial way of thinking that makes it easier for them to comprehend and communicate.

Discover Autism – A Wide Range Of Therapy Programs

News Elf — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:38:48 +0000

Unfortunately, an actual cure for autism, a disabling neurological disorder, has yet to be discovered. Affected children can grow up suffering from speech impairment, difficulties in social interaction, abnormal learning and an inability to enjoy many of life’s experiences which we all take for granted. It has been shown that early diagnosis and intervention can help to minimize the problem and therapies can give the unfortunate patient a certain measure of independence and show him or her how to cope.

There are quite a few options available within a broad range of top notch therapy programs. Treatment is very much dependent on an individual’s needs and most professionals agree that it is best started no later than the age of two. Occasionally, a variety of simultaneous treatments and programs will produce optimum results, but it should be understood that the condition usually requires treatment for the entire life of the patient, and because of this time scale, the caregiver should be as flexible as possible within the chosen approach.

In most instances, treatments and therapy programs can be split up into four separate domains – behavioral, supplemental, dietary and medical. Some of these represent established programs, whilst others are experimental and it is important to remember that there are a lot of avenues to explore as the chase for the definitive cure goes on.

Behavioral therapies deal with modification techniques, to assist the patient to gain job skills and to enable them to function in their environment. For instance, Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, covers the teaching of skill oriented activities. In this practice, patients are rewarded as they learn enjoyable skills, and as their behavioral skills continue to develop. This is a highly structured program, with intensive one-on-one interaction between a child and a therapist. This particular type of treatment is usually considered to be the most effective by experts, but many critics still feel that the approach is overly “robotic”, and that it doesn’t really encourage the child to be spontaneous while they’re trying to adapt to the world around them.

As opposed to applied behavior analysis, pivotal response therapy is considered to be more natural, taking place in a more relaxed environment, and supporters of this method believe that this approach can trigger a ripple effect to other behaviors, achieving a better all round result.

With supplemental therapies, it seems that many individuals with autism respond quite favorably to sensory stimulation. Patients are encouraged to hold objects with various textures or listen to music, for example. The Tomatis approach utilizes the playing of a loop of music, for several hours each and every day, in the hope of improving the child’s attention and concentration.

Language programs are of the utmost importance. Sometimes a program is introduced enabling patients to interact through the use of visual stimulants, such as pictures, enabling the child to communicate wants and needs through image exchange.

When it comes to dietary therapies, some professionals advocate that children with autism should be placed on special diets, basically casein or gluten free. Studies have shown that a high percentage of children with the affliction suffer from chronic gastrointestinal issues. Gluten, found in wheat products, and casein, found in milk products, are the culprits. Whilst this form of treatment calls for significant dietary control, many other experts caution against its’ effectiveness.

Medical treatments for autism include the use of vaccines and some more, particularly controversial therapies, including chelation, which involves the injection of a form of acid into the blood to remove or improve metabolic functioning. Others advocate the use of antidepressant drugs such as Prozac to treat certain behavior problems associated with autism, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or to help in controlling tantrums.

Autism is diagnosed in approximately one out of every 150 children. It is generally accepted that early diagnosis and intervention is crucial to enable the child to gain social skills, behavior skills and experience a release from isolation.

Bonita Darula is know internationally for her extraordinary insights into the prevention of autism, and due to this tireless dedication, her highly acclaimed materials have been able to bring a brilliant ray of light into the lives of thousands of people from around the World. If you’d like to explore some of the secret truths about autism in its early stages, take a few minutes to visit – and learn more today!

How can we Fully Define The Difference Between Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome?

News Elf — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:38:25 +0000

At this point, many experts still disagree about a clear definition – the actual difference between autism and Asperger’s syndrome, which seems to be a matter of degree, mostly dealing with communication issues. Autism is known as a “spectrum” illness, as it has a wide variety of symptoms and associated conditions, the most common elements involve poor or impaired social skills, a very narrow interest range and sensory problems.

The majority of autistic patients display very rigid behavior with fairly limited imagination. Generally, autism is characterized by extremely limited verbal and non-verbal communication skills, along with a difficulty in understanding or comprehending normal social relationships. When presented with a social interaction situation, for instance, they might seem to be indifferent or they may utilize repetitive functions or comments as a way of dealing with the issue. Their listening skills are usually poor.

Basically, Asperger’s syndrome can be thought of as a less extreme form of autism. While the characteristics of the base illness remain, individuals with Asperger’s syndrome seem to be relatively good at expressing themselves, can have average or above-average IQ and will not always experience or display learning difficulties. As a result, it is often not possible to diagnose the syndrome until after the child is at least five years old. You may notice subtle signs, however, such as the tantrums daily routine, which is often a way for the Asperger’s child to exhibit serious frustration and can be far more noticeable and severe than if it were exhibited by a healthy child.

It’s important to remember that children with autism almost always suffer from severe communication difficulties, while individuals with Asperger’s syndrome are much better at communicating through speech, but they still find communicating in social situations to be quite difficult.

Some experts define Asperger’s syndrome as simply autism with a functioning language, whilst others believe that they are two distinct issues. Autism, they say, is a left brain illness, whilst Aspergers is an affliction of the right brain. It may be possible to help differentiate between the two by observing early communication skills. For example, monitor your child’s development each year and see whether he or she has the correct range of language at that age.

An Asperger child often becomes obsessed with things, and this can range from statistics to obscure or little known facts. As this obsessive behavior can sometimes take over control, it can lead to impaired development within the social arena. Many experts believe that children with autism can improve and take on the characteristics of children with Asperger’s syndrome and become virtually indistinguishable in comparison.

It is very important to conduct individual assessments and correctly diagnose your toddler, as there’s a very wide range of individual disorders within the overall spectrum. Some children might require very specialist care for extended periods of time, whilst others may successfully be integrated within a mainstream school. The debate will no doubt continue as experts try to more fully define the difference between autism and Asperger’s syndrome.

Autism Spectrum Disorder can be Diagnosed at a Very Early Age

News Elf — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:42:02 +0000

While quite a few children have delays in one developmental area or another, there are several specific signs that parents can attempt to identify as their child nears certain predetermined age milestones, as a fairly accurate means of correctly diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some areas to watch closely include motor skills, speech, spatial memory and repetitive behavior.

Within the first year of development a baby should be showing some activity, such as crawling and standing with some support. There is some communication, usually single words intertwined with baby babble. A one-year old generally interacts with others, like waving goodbye, grasping for something they want and other little gestures. Not all babies progress on the same time schedule, but some of the first signs of autism begin appearing at the end of the first year. They include a lack of eye contact or a blank look and stare, as well as certain repetitive behaviors, like rocking profusely.

Autism is often diagnosed around age two because that’s when most signs of the disorder become prevalent. Lack of eye contact and a lack of interest in others become more obvious. Any words which the toddler said previously are lost, and they stop pointing or using other forms of communication to indicate the things which they want. Other potential symptoms of autism include a lack of interest in creative or pretend playing and walking on their tips of their toes everywhere they go. Unusual behaviors also begin to occur, such as outbursts of hitting and banging heads repetitively. There could also be some difficulty in the toddler accepting potty training.

There are situations where a baby is progressing normally and then begins showing signs of autism. For instance, a child could suddenly stop talking or begin exhibiting unusual or repetitive behaviors. Evidence of autism characteristics can begin occurring between the ages of 2 and 4. During this time, any progress in development is generally lost and signs of autism become prevalent.

Between ages 2 and 5, a number of signs of autism develop, which enable parents and physicians to better diagnose autism spectrum disorder. For instance, the child has no interest in other children or people and instead becomes fixated with certain toys, games, or objects. They are not responding to vocabulary or any language skills and they work better when there is a routine or set order. When this routine is disturbed, anger often develops. At this age, an autistic child begins developing sensitivity to sounds, touch, and certain textures. As a result of sensitivity to smell and taste, they develop fussy eating habits. Children with early signs of autism are also unable to carry on a conversation, have a poor attention span and rarely make eye contact.

Often times, a child could show mild signs of autism that become more prevalent in pre-teen years. Young teens with autism sometimes have outbursts of laughter for no reason, or outbursts of crying without cause. These are referred to as self-stimulating outbursts.

Although there is no one test to diagnose autism, doctors rely on observing the child, developmental history and conversations with the parents. With early diagnosis and intervention, children showing signs of autism can get the therapy and treatment they need to ensure a better outcome as they grow older and enter adulthood.

ADHD: Important Information about Hyperactivity ADHD

News Elf — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:31:15 +0000

While not all children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are overly hyperactive, the ones that are can be a handful. Just ask any parent with a hyperactivity ADHD child to describe their experience and they would like say something along the lines of “I love my child but he/she has endless energy and seems to be driven by an internal motor that never stops”. Shortly after the explanation they normally collapse in a state of exhaustion.

Hyperactivity ADHD can be broadly described as someone who is frequently moving in some way. Even when individuals are seated they are likely to be tapping their feet or hands. Hyperactivity ADHD is most often seen in children rather than adults. This is because as time goes by hyperactivity has a way of morphing itself into more of an internal symptom with less outwardly noticeable symptoms. But make not mistake just because the symptoms are not as outwardly apparent, they are still there and should not be underestimated.

One of the tricky things about unusually active behavior is that most young children exhibit it on occasion. This isn’t necessary a sign that your child has hyperactivity ADHD. Most children outgrow this stage by the time they are 5. And even before then, most children have periods of time where they are able to sit quietly, such as during the reading of a bedtime story.

Overactive behaviors are so unpredictable in people that in one instance the symptoms may be obvious, and in another they may be almost totally camouflaged. Nevertheless there are a few obvious signs to look for when trying to determine whether you or your child has hyperactivity ADHD. They are the inability to sit still for any length of time, the never ending energy levels described above, poor temperament, constant or almost continual fidgeting, inability to stay seated, excessive climbing, struggles with playing quietly, nap time is talk time, and conversations that are random and seemingly never ending.

This condition makes it difficult to achieve one’s potential especially in structures environments such as classrooms or corporate settings. This may account to some degree for the stunning and worrisome statistic stating that 80% of children with attention deficit disorder underachieve academically.

When ADHD hyperactivity is paired with hostile and negative behavior it can create even bigger challenges. Statistics show that one in two ADHD children are hostile and negative and a smaller number engage in aggressive behavior towards people and have a propensity to violate important rules.

Despite the difficult challenges often times connected with hyperactivity ADHD it is important to realize that these actions are not voluntary. They aren’t the result of rebellious or bad behavior but a biological imbalance in the brain likely caused by the brain chemicals norepinephrine and/or dopamine.

What Next? When the symptoms of ADHD hyperactivity are identified finding help should be the number one goal. In this pursuit many parents of ADHD children and adults alike have found answers in the form of natural ADHD remedies. Whether you are worried about the side effects posed by prescription drugs for ADHD or you want to get to the root of the problem rather than just suppress symptoms, ADHD alternative treatment methods will deliver powerful, lasting results.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years
experience in the field.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at
Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/important-information-about-hyperactivity-adhd-1272833.html

Low Price Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy For Autism Patients

News Elf — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:01:52 +0000

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or hbot, has delivered clear and positive results for many patients with brain injuries, internal wounds, cerebral palsy, and many other ailments. It has been proven that this method really works to heal brain conditions, whatever they may be. So there is no reason that the therapy would not work for a disorder like autism, which has stumped so many doctors before now.

Indeed, study results have shown that children who tried hyperbaric oxygen therapy using hyperbaric oxygen chambers improved dramatically over a period of even 11 daily treatments that lasted a half hour. The typical testing period was 40 initial treatments of 60 minutes. Afterward, children tended to have fewer outbursts and displays of rage, and those who were not able to communicate very well or thrive in a social environment became more skilled and comfortable.

Autism is a neuropsychological disorder that develops within a child’s first three years. It has a genetic basis, but the real causes of autism are still an unfortunate mystery. Its possible cures are also mysteries; experts have tried psychotropic medications, changing the patient’s diet, and many other different methods, but so far the treatment that has worked the best for the most people has been hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Hyperbaric chambers pressurize pure oxygen so that red blood cells and plasma carry more oxygen to the tissue in the body. This repairs damaged tissue, healing wounds and even restoring cells, for instance to the brain. Autism patients are especially helped by this aspect of the hyperbaric treatments.

Many doctors have not yet begun to specifically prescribe hyperbaric chambers or hbot, since the results because can be dramatically different for each patient. However, hyperbaric oxygen therapy are becoming more common as we see success stories emerge and patients who are willing to try hbot. It’s even easier to try hyperbarics recently; one doesn’t even need to go to a doctor’s office.

Hyperbaric chambers come in portable varieties that you can use in the comfort of your own home. Or, many doctors’ offices have chambers that will accommodate more than one person, so if the patient is nervous or claustrophobic, he or she can have company during the treatments.

Anyone can benefit from hbot. Those with insomnia, ADD/ADHD, diabetes, or memory loss can easily use hyperbaric treatments for a cure. If you are interested in researching hbot for your loved one with autism, please remember to contact your doctor before starting treatments.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or hbot, has delivered clear and positive results for many patients with brain injuries, internal wounds, cerebral palsy, and many other ailments. It has been proven that this method really works to heal brain conditions, whatever they may be, hbot brings hope. Especially and recently for children with Autism.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/low-price-hyperbaric-oxygen-chamber-therapy-for-autism-patients-1233427.html

Autism non-verbal communication skills – reading faces in autism

News Elf — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:47:48 +0000

We all use non-verbal communication, sometimes without realizing that we are doing so, for example the way we stand or sit our posture, our facial expression, our mannerisms; we may nod or wink etc all forms of non-verbal communication.

As typically developing individuals we learn naturally how to detect and read other peoples non-verbal communication.

A baby learns that its mother will come when they cry. A toddler learns that by putting their arms up they will get picked up. A child learns how to get their parents attention or their own way! A teenager realizes how another person may feel about them from their body language…and so on as we grow our ability to read non-verbal communication increases.

However with autism non-verbal communication skills are not naturally learnt and therefore they will need to be taught these skills directly.

One of the most significant non-verbal communication skills is that of reading faces in autism this skill is missing and where as a typically developing youngster may interpret a knowing wink or frown, an autistic child will not.

Social and communication deficits are very common with autism and this is where many social blunders are made, un-knowingly an autistic child can land themselves in some pretty hot water without even realizing they have, especially in the teenage years this can lead to social isolations and anxieties.

Parents know and trust autism resources like social skills stories for helping with issues like reading faces in autism as well as teaching autism non-verbal communication skills.

Social skills stories were first introduced as a means of teaching autism non-verbal communication skills around twenty years ago by therapist Carol Gray.

Gray realized that autistic kids tend to be visual learners and therefore developed a system where social and communication skills could be honed and taught through the use of images and appropriate language.

Social skills stories have developed over the years and are now widely used by parents, teachers and professionals as a means of teaching autism non-verbal communication skills as well as social skills and behaviors, with tremendous successes. So much so that social skills stories are one of the main resources available for helping and teaching autistic kids to learn and remember social and communication skills.

Autism non-verbal communication skills greatly improve with the use of social skills stories, written by experts using first person language, appropriate text and visually rich social skills stories can be downloaded from expert run sites such as www.autismsocialstories.com and implemented quickly and efficiently. This site offers great customer support and advice as well as immediate download of 100 social skills stories which help with issues such as autism non-verbal communication skills as well as teaching social and communication skills like reading faces in autism.

Visit and gain immediate download of social skills stories

www.autismsocialstories.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/autism-nonverbal-communication-skills-reading-faces-in-autism-1212583.html

Autism – The complete definition and cure

News Elf — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:57:24 +0000

Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 600 individuals. Autism is four times more prevalent in males than females and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism’s occurrence. The source of this autism is not well understood. The number of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice.

Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child’s life. Although early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills, there is no known cure. Not many children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, though some become successful. An autistic culture has developed, with some individuals seeking a cure and others believing autism should be tolerated as a difference and not treated as a disorder.

Autism Effect on Child

Autism causes kids to experience the world differently from the way most other kids do. It’s hard for kids with autism to talk with other people and express themselves using words. Kids who have autism usually keep to themselves and many can’t communicate without special help.

They also may react to what’s going on around them in unusual ways. Normal sounds may really bother someone with autism — so much so that the person covers his or her ears. Being touched, even in a gentle way, may feel uncomfortable.

Kids with autism often can’t make connections that other kids make easily. For example, when someone smiles, you know the smiling person is happy or being friendly. But a kid with autism may have trouble connecting that smile with the person’s happy feelings.

A kid who has autism also has trouble linking words to their meanings. Imagine trying to understand what your mom is saying if you didn’t know what her words really mean.

Autism causes kids to act in unusual ways. They might flap their hands, say certain words over and over, have temper tantrums, or play only with one particular toy.

Autism kids don’t like changes in routines. They like to stay on a schedule that is always the same. They also may insist that their toys or other objects be arranged a certain way and get upset if these items are moved or disturbed.

If someone has autism, his or her brain has trouble with an important job: making sense of the world. Every day, your brain interprets the sights, sounds, smells, and other sensations that you experience. If your brain couldn’t help you understand these things, you would have trouble functioning, talking, going to school, and doing other everyday stuff.

Autism means fight for life time

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I Think I Might Have ADHD – How Do I Know?

News Elf — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 03:54:46 +0000

‘I think I might have ADHD’ a colleague called Silvana once told me. We were sitting in the office and she confessed that she was an incurable multi-tasker. Now in the adult world, multi tasking is almost a positive trait in some working environments and is even encouraged. The only problem is that multi tasking may well be a convenient cover up for ADHD because it can sometimes mean that the person’s concentration or ability to stay on task is flawed. That means missed deadlines, inattention and inability to finish tasks. My colleague nodded and said some of those traits were certainly hallmarks of her work. The loss in terms of productivity is enormous yet ADHD in the adult world goes undiagnosed in many cases.

‘Apart from my multi tasking I think I might have ADHD’ Silvana repeated. This was going to be a long session and instead of telling her to go to the doctor (which I eventually did), we chatted for a few more minutes. She found that her mind wandered very easily so staying focused on any one task was a real problem for her. Also she tended to be impulsive and as a result her boyfriend had banned her from driving his car. In the office, she also had problems in getting down to a task .She also found that she was a bit oversensitive to remarks from colleague and could get upset at the slightest thing. There were also problems with being irritable.

‘But how do I know if I have ADHD?’, she demanded. ‘I cannot give you a diagnosis’ I said. She replied ‘I think I might have ADHD’. It was beginning to sound like a mantra! But I did wonder if she might be right. To cut a long story short, she eventually went to get a proper diagnosis and yes she did have ADHD.

The next problem was the treatment. Silvana was very much against psychostimulants and she had no intention of becoming a zombie although I did point that these medicines sometimes are effective in relieving symptoms like inattention and fidgeting but they come with a rather high price tag in terms of side effects and she concurred.

After three months, she breezed into my office waving a report she had managed to finish without even asking for an extension of the deadline. I asked her how she had done it and she told me that she had decided to take a homeopathic remedy for ADHD and she was getting results. She could focus so much better and there was less ‘chatter’ in her head and she was altogether on top of everything. If you think you might have ADHD, you can find out what treatment Silvana used by clicking on the link below.

Robert Locke is a Health enthusiast who specializes in Children’s Health. He has written extensively on ADHD. Discover what natural ADHD medications are available.
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Communication goals for children with autism

News Elf — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:52:54 +0000

One of the major issues reported by parents of children with autism is their child’s communication deficits. Autism is a developmental disorder affecting the brain of all autistic individuals.

All autistic individuals will have autistic social skills deficits in social, communication both verbal and non-verbal, plus interaction and imagination skills. The degree of autistic social skills deficits will vary between all autistic individuals.

Many parents report delayed speech in children with autism and in some cases language never develops, however recent figures show only 9% autistic individuals will not develop language.

For most autistic children deficits in communication both verbal and non-verbal can be helped through autistic visual supports. A significant number pf parents report benefits and progress with communication goals for children with autism using autistic visual supports such as autism social skills stories.

Those parents of children with autism using autism social skills stories as autistic visual supports to teach and enforce positive behaviors and social skills as well as benefit communication goals for children with autism have reported great success.

Social stories for communication deficits in autism are generally written by experts in autistic behaviors and development. Social stories are always written in the first person using appropriate language and from the autistic child’s point of view, normally visually rich they describe the skill or communication goals for children with autism, giving clear focus to the main points and social cues.

Children with autism are generally visual learners and will respond better to visual cues and prompts to learn communication skills and positive behaviors.

To learn more about how autism social stories benefit children with autism visit www.autismsocialstories.com

Gain immediate downloads of 100 autism social skills stories to teach and enforce positive behaviors and communication goals for children with autism.

Written by experts in autistic development and behaviors these social stories for communication deficits in autism have been used widely by many parents and educators with great success get more information and downloads from:

www.autismsocialstories.com

social stories help support positive behaviors as well as teach social and communication skills to autistic children and adults.

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Autism non-verbal communication skills – reading faces in autism

Autism and the Swine Flu Vaccine

News Elf — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:20:12 +0000

Parents of children with autism are acutely aware of what vaccines could mean for their sons and daughters. Many are concerned about routine vaccinations, but you should also be aware of the possible dangers of the swine flu, or Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine, in particular. This vaccine has been rushed to market, so to speak, in order to meet the public and government demand for protection from the swine flu.

GlaxoSmithKline says that “clinical trials will be limited” due to government demands and that “additional studies will therefore be required and conducted after the vaccine is made available”. Trials are expected to begin on August 17th by testing the vaccine on 12,000 children between the ages of 3 and 8. Then, 60 to 80 million doses are expected to be administered by mid-September. Officials have admittedly “guessed” at the proper dosage to rush the vaccine to market by the time school has started. They will not know of the vaccine’s effectiveness or side effects until the initial wave of testing is complete, but they do expect that two vaccinations will be necessary. They are confident in the process by which the swine flu vaccine has been derived because it is made in exactly the same way as other flu vaccines. The only difference is that the swine flu vaccine will contain adjuvants to boost the human body’s immune response. There are currently no vaccinations in the US that approve the use of adjuvants. The US would rather not have adjuvants in vaccines because it might give citizens a reason to avoid them. In 1976, adjuvants were used in the swine flu vaccine. Some people had an immunopathological reaction, which lead to their death. About 500 other people became permanently paralyzed by the neuromuscular disorder named Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).

GBS is an immune response to foreign antigens which attacks the nervous system. It results in muscle paralysis, sensory disturbances, and sometimes cardiac arrest. GBS is normally a rare side-effect seen after an influenza vaccine. With the swine flu vaccine in 1976, it is believed that because the adjuvants increased the body’s response to the vaccination, the occurrence of GBS rose from a normal level of one in 1,000,000 to one in 105,000. Parents of children affected by autism are understandably more concerned about immunizations that could cause an autoimmune response like Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is not known for sure that the adjuvants are the exact cause, but they were banned from immunizations in the US afterwards. Because our immunizations are largely produced in other countries and in an effort to keep the vaccine readily available, the US is allowing adjuvants, this one time. They are protecting themselves and the vaccine manufacturers from lawsuits that may occur as a result of distributing this barely tested, questionable vaccine because they are faced with the pandemic status. With all of the hype and confusion around the swine flu, it may be hard to make a truly informed decision. The swine flu has been described as a mild flu which has been less of a problem and caused many less deaths than the regular seasonal flu that we see from year to year. Many parents of children with autism are always looking for safe alternatives to vaccines. Vitamin C helps your body to resist all flus and all infections. It has also been found to be extremely reliable in eliminating and reducing flu symptoms. You can get enough vitamin C by taking vitamin C powder that is buffered to be easy on your digestive system.

This vaccine has been rushed to market, so to speak, in order to meet the public and government demand for protection from the swine flu. GlaxoSmithKline says that “clinical trials will be limited” due to government demands and that “additional studies will therefore be required and conducted after the vaccine is made available”.

Trials are expected to begin on August 17th by testing the vaccine on 12,000 children between the ages of 3 and 8. Then, 60 to 80 million doses are expected to be administered by mid-September. Officials have admittedly “guessed” at the proper dosage to rush the vaccine to market by the time school has started. They will not know of the vaccine’s effectiveness or side effects until the initial wave of testing is complete, but they do expect that two vaccinations will be necessary.

They are confident in the process by which the swine flu vaccine has been derived because it is made in exactly the same way as other flu vaccines. The only difference is that the swine flu vaccine will contain adjuvants to boost the human body’s immune response. There are currently no vaccinations in the US that approve the use of adjuvants.

The US would rather not have adjuvants in vaccines because it might give citizens a reason to avoid them. In 1976, adjuvants were used in the swine flu vaccine. Some people had an immunopathological reaction, which lead to their death. About 500 other people became permanently paralyzed by the neuromuscular disorder named Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). GBS is an immune response to foreign antigens which attacks the nervous system. It results in muscle paralysis, sensory disturbances, and sometimes cardiac arrest.

GBS is normally a rare side-effect seen after an influenza vaccine. With the swine flu vaccine in 1976, it is believed that because the adjuvants increased the body’s response to the vaccination, the occurrence of GBS rose from a normal level of one in 1,000,000 to one in 105,000.

Parents of children affected by autism are understandably more concerned about immunizations that could cause an autoimmune response like Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is not known for sure that the adjuvants are the exact cause, but they were banned from immunizations in the US afterwards. Because our immunizations are largely produced in other countries and in an effort to keep the vaccine readily available, the US is allowing adjuvants, this one time. They are protecting themselves and the vaccine manufacturers from lawsuits that may occur as a result of distributing this barely tested, questionable vaccine because they are faced with the pandemic status.

With all of the hype and confusion around the swine flu, it may be hard to make a truly informed decision. The swine flu has been described as a mild flu which has been less of a problem and caused many less deaths than the regular seasonal flu that we see from year to year. Many parents of children with autism are always looking for safe alternatives to vaccines.

Vitamin C helps your body to resist all flus and all infections. It has also been found to be extremely reliable in eliminating and reducing flu symptoms. You can get enough vitamin C by taking vitamin C powder that is buffered to be easy on your digestive system.

Phil Le Breton is owner at Wholesale Nutrition. He has a strong interest in helping people achieve greater brain and body health. For more information about C-Salts, otherwise known as the best Vitamin C, or about other Vitamin C powder products, visit http://www.nutri.com where you can buy Vitamins and Supplements of the highest quality.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/autism-and-the-swine-flu-vaccine-1103849.html

Beware of Asperger Disease

News Elf — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:15:16 +0000

Asperger’s disease is not actually a disease but it is an outcome of modernization. Life has become hectic these days and there is a lot of pressure on parents and even on children. It becomes hard for a child to match up with their parents and society expectations.

Being socially active is the main problem of Asperger’s patients. Aspergeric Patients are not able to communicate properly with the people and had some behavioral problem adjusting in the society. Aspergers disease is not a disease but it can result into serious problem’s and chronic & acute illness.

In this condition there is abnormality in patient’s brain, yet it does not involve any persistent treatments like surgical operations etc or taking a high dosage of drugs. It would not be beneficial for Aspergic Patients. The primary treatment for Aspergic patients is to give them psychological Comfort and giving them sessions about behavioral adjustment.

Group therapy is one of the treatments for Aspergic patients. In this, the focus is made on the socializing of the patient. The patient is told to sit in a room and share his toys or stuff to his/her classmates. Role playing can be done in which the patient perform the role of his classmate. In this not only he will now about his classmates but also is comfortable with them.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is another therapy in which the patient’s emotion will be processed properly. He will be put up in different situations and thus his reaction will be recorded. Emphasis is made on verbal talking with which the likings/disliking of the patient is determined. Patient’s personality disorder can be managed through this therapy-especially for obsessive person which is quite a common problem among Asperger disease.

Speech therapy is also one of the essential treatments besides the behavioral advancement. The speech of the patient is usually affected because of the abnormality in brain functioning and structure. It also leads inflexible thinking which can even result in having improper communication skills.

The main purpose of Speech therapy is to give a patient a platform where he can send or receive a message and thus gives his necessary feedback. So in this way not only his communication skills would improve but he will be more socially responsive.

According to the professionals it is very essential to diagnose the problem of Asperger in its primary phase. Diagnosing it will let your child enjoy the world.

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Antioxidant Acai Berry: Can it Help Autism?

News Elf — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:40:05 +0000

Pronounced ah-SAH-ee the grape-like acai berry grows on tall palm trees in the Brazilian rainforest of the Amazon jungle. Viewed on the tree, they look like gigantic grape vines clumped together high above the ground. Ounce for ounce, the acai has the highest antioxidant activity known to man. Antioxidant activity is measured by the ORAC value which tells a food’s effectiveness in fighting free radicals. The ORAC value for the acai far surpasses all the fruits at the top of the list: cranberry, blueberry, and plums.

For children with autism, oxidative stress is an underlying issue. These renegade particles cause stress upon our cells, even damaging cells and their proteins and causing inflammation. This inflammation can result in many health problems such as cancer, heart disease, and autism. Antioxidants combat this stress by overcoming the free radicals and eliminating them. For children with autism, a wholesome diet, exercise, and stress control will allow the antioxidant to work best.

At the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Domenico Pratico and his colleagues studied autistic children’s blood vessel function. They took urinary samples from 26 autistic children and 12 non-disabled controls. They found that autistic children’s levels of isoprostane (caused when free radicals attack fat cells) was nearly double compared to control children. This showed high levels of oxidative stress. These findings agreed with earlier studies indicating that autistic children have impaired antioxidant defenses—producing higher levels of problem particles and lower levels of antioxidants.

It is common knowledge that children with a balanced diet have improved behavior and the highly effective antioxidant acai berry would be a marvelous addition to any diet. Of course, every child case is different. Food allergies and diabetes would definitely affect results. The acai berry is a food item and makes no medical claims.

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/antioxidant-acai-berry-can-it-help-autism-1081201.html

Learn How to Know If Your Child Has Autism

News Elf — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:25:41 +0000

It is hard to read a magazine, newspaper or watch a television news show without some story about Autism. Autism is the leading disorder in the category of mentally challenging disorders effecting children today. Autism is usually described as a condition in children that causes developmental disorders; such as impaired communication skills, emotional detachment and excessive rigidity.

Get Free: Autism Help Remedies

There are two types of Autism, regressive and non regressive. Autism developing in children from about 18 months is known as Autism. When children begin losing language and other developmental skills that is Autism. Non regressive Autism is the type that occurs from birth. Fortunately today if your child has Autism you are no longer alone to suffer. There are numerous support groups and new treatments are found every day.

Find: Natural Autism Methods

First, if your child has Autism, his or her social and emotional developments are delayed. A child with Autism usually prefers to be by himself. Children with Autism usually consider people as objects rather then people.

Secondly, if a sight change in your childs schedule causes your child to go berserk it may be a sign of Autism. Autistic children do best with familiarity and sameness.

Next, if your child does not make eye contact with you and others this can be a sign of Autism. Autistic children seem as though they look right through people.

Lastly, if your child seems to be very fascinated with repetitive movements this can be a sign of Autism. Autistic children can sit for hours while waving an object and just sit there staring at it.

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Health. For more information go to: http://www.healthtipsguide.com/

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Learn if Autism Causes Allergies or if Allergies Cause Autism Symptoms

News Elf — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:55:18 +0000

Lots of people, including adults and children, that have autism also have food allergies. Because just about all of the time, there is an abnormal condition in the child’s digestive system, the person gets food allergies. Since the digestive system runs abnormally, the immune system is also stricken. An allergic reaction happens from the body, because the immune system is unable to know the foods that haven’t been digested.

When the person can abstain from the food that has the possibility to cause allergies, this can be a management for autism. To make sure that food is totally digested, food enzymes can be given, as well. Studies on how treating the inflammation of the intestinal tract that has been finished in studies, have been shown to cease many food allergies. You can receive a good deal of transformation when you take this measure.

Since a person can get hold of the time to list the food that they eat, they can also help to avoid harmful allergies. A four-day rotation, is used by several to arrest food allergies. To allow this autism allergy scheme to work out, a person needs to eat as specific food one day every four days, and during the four day cycle, the food shouldn’t be repeated.

You have to check the person intimately, to make confident that the form of treatment is actually working or not. You need to also be aware that various people, can have reactions to different ingredients. Anaphylactic shock, as well as rashes on the body that are serious, and that are on various parts of the body, can come about when people have strong allergic reactions to food. A little headache or stomachache sometimes go on with other people. It is extremely important to look at everything that is occurring with the person. Check the skin, and look for red spots that seen on the cheeks, under the eyes, or inside the ears.

A diet log has to to be kept always for a person, so that food allergies are completely kept track of. When food is eaten everyday, it needs to be written down and paid attention to, so if an allergic reaction happens, you will know what could be causing it. Other tests require to also be done, like skin tests and blood exams, as well as close observation. Immediate Immune Response, and Delayed Immune Response are different blood tests that are several times more accurate than skin tests. You might make some observations that contradict the test’s result, which may surprise you.

Continue reading Autism Allergy Article at autism symptoms & treatments or download the FREE just released ebook “Study on Major Biomedical Treatments for Autism” available at Autism Treatments resource website.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/learn-if-autism-causes-allergies-or-if-allergies-cause-autism-symptoms-1064604.html

Is Risperdal and ADHD a Good Match?

News Elf — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:10:24 +0000

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It’s symptoms are difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities, organizational difficulties, forgetfulness, a lack of interest toward activities that require a lot of attention and/or concentration, and inability to listen when directly spoken to. However, those are only a fraction of the symptoms. It has been said that there is a positive link between Risperdal and ADHD, but this medication is not for everyone.

The same thing goes for all prescription medicines. Risperdal contains side effects, some of the most severe being weight gain, severe dizziness, twitching and/or stiff muscles, increased sweating, missed menstrual period, stomach pain, runny nose, fast heartbeat, fainting, trouble swallowing and speaking, tremor, suicidal thoughts, seizures, uncontrolled muscle movements, confusion, and visual disturbances. All of these side effects are very real and happen to people all of the time when they take this medication and others similar to it. The positive connection between Risperdal and ADHD has not been very well established.

Since most individuals are diagnosed with ADHD at an early age, they are recommended to take a more natural approach toward resolving their ADHD symptoms. Children as young as four years old are often diagnosed with this disorder. To allow a child to take something with those possible side effects is inhumane. Children may not exhibit the same amount of concern for themselves as adults do when it comes to their health, which is why it is important to take special precautions before giving them anything at all.

They are not usually as aware of what exactly a side effect or symptom is. Everyone of us know what being a child is like, especially having been one ourselves. You are much too busy playing, laughing, and having fun to notice when something is wrong. If a child doesn’t exhibit severe symptoms of a headache or nausea, and only demonstrates a minimal amount of side effects, the parents may dismiss their symptoms as something completely unrelated to the medication. One thing is for sure and that is that ADHD and Risperdal do not mix.

Unless a child is specific enough as to tell their parents exactly what they are feeling, there is no way to be absolutely certain if their aching tummy or sweaty hands aren’t just a stomach virus or a result of too much outside play. There is no reason to risk their health. Plenty of children as well as adults have experienced fatal side effects with medications like Risperdal.

That is why more parents are leaning toward the usage of natural methods for treating their child’s symptoms instead of a ADHD and Risperdal cocktail.. There is no doubt that the symptoms shouldn’t go untreated. If left untreated, a child or adult can have a very difficult time living a normal life. There are currently over 6 million children under the influence of dangerous prescription medications. The side effects are clearly nothing to play with.

Just imagine giving your child something that causes their heart to beat excessively fast, along with your child developing slurred speech, headache, nausea, a stiff neck, excessive weight gain, and tremors that does not go away. How can you honestly do that to a child? The pharmaceutical industry has literally murdered countless numbers of people over the last couple of decades.

In all honesty, Risperdal and ADHD should not even be in the same sentence. It is time parents all around the world take action and start treating their children with natural remedies. There are no side effects or prescription required when taking this route. Natural methods will continue to increase in popularity along with the realization of the dangers of prescription medication.

Diana is a Natural Health Consultant and is currently taking classes to earn a certificate in herbalism. Her website, Natural Health and Herbal Remedies, offers the knowledge, insights and experiences she has gained from her journey into the world of natural health and her quest to share it with others. Learn more about ADHD at her website.

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How To Handle Anger In The Teenage Years

News Elf — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:06:17 +0000

Teens with autism can sometimes be faced with behaviors – such as autism anger – which are beyond their control. Anger can occur in many forms but often takes the shape of violence or tantrums.

When it comes to handling uncontrolled anger, it is typically recommended that whenever possible, you should not look at the person, not talk to them, and not touch them (unless it is for your own or their safety). Essentially, do not add to their over stimulation and refrain from doing anything that might add fire to the flames. Many parents find that over time, angry outbursts are reduced when no one reacts to them.

Ignoring this kind of behavior will no doubt be hard at first. After all, when your child was little, anger was easier to control because you could either physically stop him or her from throwing the tantrum or distract them with a toy or favorite object. However, once your child has entered the teenage years, then he or she will be too big to deal with physically and bribery with a favorite object tends to be less effective. So unless he or she is breaking things, hurting others or themselves, it’s best to stay out of the way and let the anger wear off.

Autism anger in teens can be quite frightening. Behaviors can escalate to the point where others are at risk of being harmed. In fact, tantrum behaviors can even be seen as criminal in some cases, should the loss of control result in destroying possessions or hurting others.

The following steps are often recommended for parents who have teens who occasionally suffer from autism related anger outbursts. They should be used when and if applicable, and not necessarily in this order:

- Resist intervening – as was mentioned earlier, by remaining calm and out of the way the tantrum should fade much more quickly because it won’t have outside stimulation to spur it on.

- Ensure safety – make sure that you, your child, and anyone else in the area are safe. If your autistic teen is simply screaming, pounding their feet, and doing other similar activities, and if there is nobody else in the area, it’s usually best to simply leave the room or area and get yourself to a safe place. That way, you’re not only protecting yourself from harm, but you’re removing yourself altogether. Sometimes simply being alone is enough to have the teen calm down.

- Calming People – If there is an individual who you know can diffuse the situation or is usually able to calm your teen down, then you may wish to see if they’re available to help. They may not have to do anything, but simply their presence may be enough to instill calm. However, this technique only works if there is a calming person in your teen’s life. This is not always the case.

- Call for Help – If the situation doesn’t appear to be improving or if behaviors have become violent or out of control, then getting some outside help – paramedics, or even the police – may be the only solution. They will be able to support your efforts to have your teen calm down and help control any dangerous behaviors.

Autism anger can be an overwhelming experience for teenagers as they struggle with fluctuating hormones and fighting for their independence, but it can also be very upsetting for the parents.

It’s important that once you have the situation under control, you work through together the cause of the outburst in a calm and controlled way, without apportioning blame, so that should the scenario occur in the future steps can be taken to divert anger before the situation becomes heated.

By Rachel Evans

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans’ brand new Autism Newsletter – Overflowing with practical and helpful strategies for dealing with outbursts of autism anger and other challenging autism behaviors.

There are currently over 20,000 other parents and caregivers just like you signed up for The Essential Guide To Autism newsletter. Join today and become part of the community.

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Autism Parents’ Plea: Understand Kids’ Meltdowns

News Elf — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:22:18 +0000

(CNN) — Heather Moores and her 4-year-old son, Julian, sat in a waiting room at a pediatrician’s office.

Julian, who has autism, was goose-stepping and counting every coat hook on the wall aloud. He started roaring like a lion. Moores smiled at her son, then noticed the horrified looks on other people’s faces.

“People do not understand,” she said. “To them, as bizarre as his actions might look, for us, they’re a blessing. For us, it means he’s enjoying himself and happy. No one understands that. They just see an out-of-control child. They don’t understand this is a good day, when there isn’t screams upon screams.”

On the second World Autism Awareness Day, the search for a cure continues, and major court decisions have helped sort out the theories connected to the mysterious developmental disorders. Public knowledge and acceptance of autism and the difficulties the families face may be growing, as some iReporters told CNN.

But that’s little comfort to a parent whose child’s behavior can range from quirky to violent.

Children with autism have unexplainable breakdowns — their outbursts are often loud, aggressive and disturbing. Julian slams himself against the ground or wall while he screams, flailing his limbs. Julian’s younger brother, Marcus, 3, squirms away from his parents and runs into the street to oncoming cars because he is fascinated by them. He also screams with such ferocity that his face turns purple and mucus bubbles from his nostrils. Their youngest brother, Aric, also has autism and just turned 1 year old. Photo gallery from iReporters about autism. »

Heather Moores remembers that the stares in the waiting room were full of contempt. Onlookers shook their head in disgust and glared, making her feel like the “world’s worst mother.” This happens every time they go out to the doctor’s office, the barber shop or anywhere in public.

“You’ll hear people talking, ‘If it was my kid, he wouldn’t behave like that. These parents don’t know how to discipline their children. Why don’t you shut that kid up?’ said Alexandre Moores, Heather’s husband. “It makes going out unpleasant. I don’t know if you ever get used to it.”

Read The Rest

Spotlight on Autism Parents – Maintaining Balance in Your Other Relationships

News Elf — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:35:42 +0000

By Rachel Evans

Autism parents don’t have it easy. You are faced with many more challenges than parents of children without autism do. However, in all of the efforts you are making to take good care of your child, it’s easy to forget that you need to maintain a healthy balance within your other relationships and cope with your own situation and emotions.

Remember: the healthier you are emotionally and the better the condition of your social life, the more capable you will be to make the right decisions for your child and care for them to the best of your abilities.

Other relationships in your life are your support system and a vital part of how you meet your own personal needs. Never underestimate the value of connecting with people you care about. While it’s important to have time to yourself to process emotions, you shouldn’t overlook the need to get out and do fun things with your friends and family members.

The constant emotional roller coaster ride that only autism parents experience will become too much, if you aren’t at your healthiest emotional point.

To be emotionally healthy, you need to take care of yourself and that includes nourishing important relationships. This doesn’t mean making big statements; it can be something simple like watching the occasional movie with some friends – even if this means renting a movie and having your friends over to watch it once the kids have gone to bed. It could also be going out to a restaurant or heading to a family member or friend’s place for a meal.

Never overlook the importance of a phone call to a sympathetic ear where you have the opportunity to vent your frustrations and hear about the lives of other people, too.

Getting to know your neighbors can be a valuable social experience. This allows you to meet in the driveway or talk on the front porch when you cross paths. It can help you remain feeling connected with the world.

Remember that though you are a parent with an autistic child, your child is not the only important relationship in your life – even though it may be the most challenging, rewarding and time consuming.

Having friends and family who are emotionally close give you people with whom you can truly share your feelings. This can be a tremendous relief in itself. They are also usually the people with whom you spent your time before you had children. Try doing some of the activities you enjoyed before you became a parent and you’ll have “mini vacations” to look forward to and to enjoy on occasion.

This is not to say that you don’t enjoy the time you spend with your children. Nor is it suggesting that you should try to mimic the life that you had before becoming a parent. You should however, recognize that just because you have a child with autism, you needn’t give up everything you enjoy and all of the relationships that had been important in your life before becoming a parent.

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans’ brand new Autism Newsletter – Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your partner deal with the strain of being autism parents and keep your relationship intact.

There are currently over 20,000 other parents and caregivers just like you signed up for The Essential Guide To Autism newsletter. Join today and become part of the community.

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To read more about Rachel’s book or order your copy today, please visit The Essential Guide To Autism here

Autism Bill Gets Unanimous Senate Approval

News Elf — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:07:34 +0000

New Jersey is one step closer to becoming the 14th state in the nation to require health insurance companies to cover treatments for autism and other developmental disabilities.

Legislation (A-2238/S-1651) on the matter passed the full New Jersey Senate 35-0 on June 18 and now heads to the Assembly for votes to match changes made in the Senate.

An insurer would be required to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening and diagnosing autism or another developmental disability, according to a copy of the bill.

When the covered person’s diagnosis is autism or another developmental disability, the covered treatments are to include medically necessary occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy, as prescribed through a treatment plan and coverage to these therapies is not to be denied on the basis that the treatment is not restorative.

The maximum benefit for a covered person through 2011 is $36,000, the bill states.

Joseph J. Roberts Jr.

Assemblyman Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D-Camden), one of the co-sponsors of the bill, said many New Jersey families are already “stretched to their financial edge.”

“But without health coverage for their loved ones, countless families with an autistic child are bankrupting themselves to give their child the potential for a brighter future,” said Roberts in a statement. “Autistic and disabled adults who have not received the proper treatment will leave our families, communities and state with new and more expensive challenges.”

A Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, based on research in 14 states found one in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism, with New Jersey having the highest rate in the country with one in every 94, according to Roberts’ office.

The bills other co-sponsors are Assemblyman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) and Assemblywoman Joan Voss (D-Bergen)

“Families that have a loved one with autism should not be expected to shoulder the financial hardships of this disorder alone,” Prieto said. “By requiring health insurers to cover therapies for autistic children early in their lives ensures they receive the treatments they most need when it will make the greatest impact – oftentimes these therapies represent a new lease on life for autistic children and their families.”

Autism and Fever

News Elf — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:24:19 +0000

Some parents have noted that during periods of fever, their children seem to have exhibited “less autistic” tendencies. There may be an explanation for this now as two doctors from Yeshiva University have published a study in the March 2009 Brain Research Reviews, that proposes autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may be the product of a dysregulated neuron bundle in the brain stem called the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic (LC-NA) system. Of further interest, is their observation that during episodes of fever some children with autism seemed to have improved behavior that then dissipated once the fever had subsided.

According to the study’s authors, Dominick P. Purpura, M.D., dean emeritus and distinguished professor of neuroscience at Einstein and Dr. Mark F. Mehler, M.D., chairman of neurology and director of the Institute for Brain Disorders and Neural Regeneration at Einstein, the LC-NA system is the only brain region involved both in controlling behavior and producing fever. This area of the brain is largely responsible for the production of noradrenaline, a neurotransmitter that induces our body’s “fight or flight” reaction. Noradrenaline is also a key for higher-order sensory processing of environmental stimuli, and facilitating the ability to focus one’s attention. Attention deficit disorder is frequently reported in those with autism.

The cause of this dysregulation of the LC-NA system is attributed broadly to genetic and epigenetic (chemical influencers of genomes) factors, environment and also maternal stress during pregnancy. On this last point, they cite a 2008 study, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders documenting a higher frequency of children with ASD born from mothers who had been exposed to topical storms and hurricanes mid-gestation.

While the study does not advocate inducing fever – which could be quite dangerous – they note that these findings may serve as the foundation for the development of new therapies targeting the LC-NA systems in such a way as to re-regulate how this area of the brain works. As Dr. Mehler notes, “We now have clues to the neurobiology, the genetics, and the epigenetics of autism. To move forward, we need to invest more money in basic science to look at the genome and the epigenome in a more focused way.”

Brian Field is the co-founder of the Autism Support Network

Addressing Special Needs: Why Do Children With Autism Need Supplements?

News Elf — Mon, 18 May 2009 02:59:17 +0000

Clearly, children with autism require special attention. This attention does not only involve physical and emotional attention; the parents of these children should also take extra measures to make sure they have sufficient nutrition and nourishment. How they are nourished, of course, depends on what types of food they take. However, this can be a seriously difficult undertaking. Autistic children have impaired taste, and they tend to eat the same things over and over again, thus already limiting the food items they can take. In addition, their limited body functions do not give them the right tools to properly absorb and digest everything they take in. A proof of this is the prevalence of the leaky gut symptom among children suffering from autism. Irregular and improper bowel movements clearly mean that their digestion is not in tiptop shape, another sign that they are not getting the proper nutrition they deserve.

Here are some of the reasons why children with autism should be given supplements:

Autism as a whole-body ailment-Beyond the usual need for additional nutrition, autistic children requires supplements due to the possibility that autism is not merely a brain disorder but a full-blown illness caused by malfunctions in the body (the gut or the immune system, for instance). Of course, the exact cause of autism has been determined yet, but many studies have already been conducted to decipher whether autism originated from genetic factors or other external causes. If autism is indeed a whole-body ailment, one way to treat it is through supplements-by making the body naturally heal through with the aid of these nutrients and vitamins.

The limitations of an autistic children’s body-As mentioned earlier, a child with autism cannot absorb the nutrients of food properly due to their limited digesting capability. The best way to assist an autistic child in nutrient intake is by giving them the nutrients in its simplest form-through supplements. This way, autistic children can get all the nutrients and vitamins they need.

Replacement for lost nutrients-The Autism Research Institute and their Defeat Autism Now movement suggest a gluten- and casein-free diet from autistic children. Gluten and casein are proteins present in wheat products and milk products. Many researches have already proven that these proteins can cause brain inflammations and opioid-like effects on autistic children. Because of this, many parents have employed this diet. Yet it cannot be denied that the children also need the nutrients acquired from wheat and milk products. Therefore, the supplements can provide the children with autism the nutrients they could have gotten from these food items.

Many tests as well as testimonials from several parents of autistic children all over the world claim that the use of supplements helped improve autism symptoms. Nutritional deficiency can cause a number of adverse effects. Therefore, even if parents may doubt the claim that autism is not a brain disorder, they cannot discount the fact that their children need all the nutrients they can get. In both cases, supplements can help children with autism.

For more information on Supplements for Autism, please visit Autism-Supplements.com where you will find a Supplement Guide for Autism.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/addressing-special-needs-why-do-children-with-autism-need-supplements-922057.html

Autism Spectrum Disorder

News Elf — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:34:28 +0000

Autism spectrum disorders are a spectrum of psychological conditions that are characterized by widespread abnormalities of social interactions and communication along with severely restricted interests and repetitive behavior. A study performed in 2005 revealed that anywhere from 6.0-6.5 people per 1,000 people have Autism Spectrum Disorder. The vast majority of the people in the study had pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Autism was 1.3 per 1,000 people and Asperger Syndrome was 0.3 per 1,000 people in the study released in 2005. The rarer forms in the study were childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett syndrome.

There are three main forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and they are autism, Asperger syndrome, and PDD-NOS. The signs and symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder include communication problems, social problems, and repetitive behaviors. The indicators of autism include children that do not babble, point, or make gestures by the age of one; do not speak one word by 16 months; does not combine two words by two years old; does not respond to his or her name; loses language or social skills; poor eye contact; doesn’t know how to play with toys; excessively lines up toys or other objects; is attached to one toy or object; doesn’t smile and at times seems to be hearing impaired.

There are four main problems that are associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder and they are sensory problems, mental retardation, seizures, fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. The sensory problems that develop in children with ASD can be devastating. The sounds, smells, and textures that most children are not bothered by will bother children with ASD. For example, a ringing telephone or thunder during a storm can cause a child with ASD to scream and throw a hissy fit. In children with ASD, the brain does not know how to balance the senses appropriately.

Mental retardation is prominent in some children with ASD. For example, some children with ASD might have trouble with their vision but are able to express themselves via language much easier. Seizures can develop in children with ASD. In fact, one in four children with ASD will develop seizures that begin in early childhood or adolescence. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. A seizure can be identified by a body convulsion, unusual movements, or staring spells. A contributing factor of seizures can be a lack of sleep or a high fever.

Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of mental retardation. The name comes from one part of an X chromosome appearing pinched and fragile when it is examined under a microscope. Roughly two to five percent of children with ASD are affected by fragile X syndrome. Any child with ASD should be checked for fragile X syndrome. If a couple that has a child with fragile X syndrome wants to have another child, the next child could be born with the same syndrome if it is a male. There is a one in two chance that this can happen. Tuberous sclerosis causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and other vital organs. Anywhere from one to four percent of children with ASD have tuberous sclerosis.

Addiction Relapse Prevention Drug Alcohol RelapseArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/autism-spectrum-disorder-905610.html

Autism Starts in the Gut; Attack it With Nutrition

News Elf — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:22:27 +0000

Autism is widely acknowledged as a brain development disorder, although a number of recent studies are contending this long-standing belief. As anyone familiar with the issue of autism would know, the debate regarding the cause of autism is still ongoing. If autism is indeed a brain development disorder, then people with autism can no longer be cured. However, many factions have released studies claiming that autism is caused by other factors, which means autism can still become curable in time. One of the more prevalent claims, supported by a number studies, is that autism is caused by bacteria in the gut.

This claim is not as preposterous as it seems, as proven by a number of studies by esteemed organization. For one, the gut of autistic children are obviously not functioning well to begin with, as the leaky gut symptoms of autistic children would prove.

One of the first formal studies on this issue was conducted by the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. In the study done in 2006, it was found that out that autistic children had species of the clostridium that were not found in the gut of children without autism. These clostridium species can produce harmful toxins, which could damage the brain.
In the study, the researchers gave 20 children a bacterium called lactobacillus lantarum, a probiotic present in a person’s gut responsible for warding off harmful substances, while the other 20 were given placebo. Although the research itself failed because around half of the participants dropped out, the inconclusive results were promising. According to the reports, the parents of the autistic children dropped out because they figured that their child were part of the test (those who received the bacterium). After seeing improvements in their children-specifically in their behavior and concentration-they refused to give their children placebo. Clearly, these means the use of probiotics to improve the function of their gut has produced results.

A more specific claim was released by the University of Western Ontario. According to their studies, compounds that were produced in an autistic children’s digestive system are linked to the behavior of these individuals. This was found out after they administered diets that with diary and wheat substances to rats. The rats exhibited repetitive behaviors, as well as impairment in their social behaviors. Both of these are common symptoms of children suffering from autism. Later on, the brains of the rat test subjects were examined. The result: their brains were inflamed-similar to the brains of children with autism.

Although the results of these tests do not necessary prove anything conclusive about autism, they have established a number of things important to the issue. As the University of Western Ontario said in thee CBC News website, this proves that the body can influence the brain-an indication that problems in the gut can indeed cause autism. Of course, as the researchers from the University of Reading said, it could be the cause of autism-but it can also be an effect. Either way, these studies have somehow established that taking care of an autistic child’s gut can produce encouraging results.

To find out more about Holistic care and Nutrition for children on the Autism spectrum, please visit www.autism-supplements.com, for products, user feedback and unbiased reviews on Supplements for AutismArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/autism-starts-in-the-gut-attack-it-with-nutrition-889053.html

BBC: Cartoons ‘Could Help Spot Autism’

News Elf — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:14:44 +0000

Watching how a toddler responds to animations could help diagnose autism, research has suggested.

Babies usually start paying attention to movement soon after birth, and pick up information from the cues they see but children with autism often do not.

A study, published in Nature, where two-year-olds were shown manipulated animations found those with autism focussed on movement linked to sound.

UK experts said a test of this kind could help pick up autism early.

This line of research holds promise for development of new therapies based on redirecting visual attention in children with these disorders

Thomas Insel, US National Institute of Mental Health

In the Yale study, researchers created five versions of animated children’s games such as ‘peek-a-boo’ and ‘pat-a-cake’ where points of light marked movement, each with sound.

On the other half of the screen, the same animation was presented upside down and in reverse, but with the same audio as the upright version.

Previous studies have shown that, normally, children’s attention is drawn to such changes from around eight months old.

Twenty-one toddlers with autistic-spectrum disorders (ASD), 39 who were developing normally and 16 who had developmental problems but did not have autism were studied.

Both the toddlers who were developing normally and those with developmental problems showed a clear preference for looking at the upright animations. However the toddlers with ASD showed no preference and looked backwards and forwards between the two halves of the screen.

But when the toddlers were shown the ‘pat-a-cake’ animation – where the figure repeatedly and audibly claps his hands – those with ASD showed a marked preference for the upright animation, where the sounds were in time with the movement, choosing it 66% of the time.

The other children continued to prefer the upright version.

‘Grabbing their attention’

Dr Ami Klin, of the Yale Child Study Center, who worked on the research, said: “Our results suggest that, in autism, genetic predispositions are exacerbated by atypical experience from a very early age, altering brain development.

“Attention to biological motion is a fundamental mechanism of social engagement, and in the future, we need to understand how this process is derailed in autism, starting still earlier, in the first weeks and months of life.”

Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health – which helped fund the study, said: “For the first time, this study has pinpointed what grabs the attention of toddlers with ASDs.

“In addition to potential uses in screening for early diagnosis, this line of research holds promise for development of new therapies based on redirecting visual attention in children with these disorders.”

A spokeswoman for the National Autistic Society said: “This is a really interesting study which suggests that children with autism are on a different learning pathway from other children from a very early age.

“We warmly welcome all research which helps us further our understanding of autism, and how best to help and support those with the condition.”

Source: BBC News

Chat with Stephen Lewis, creator of AIM, author, founder of EMC2 – Mar 15,2009

News Elf — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 22:00:00 +0000

NOTE: As part of the outreach activities,
EMC² offers two scholarship programs. Children and adults with the frequency of Autism or the frequency of Down Syndrome may enroll in The AIM Program free of charge.

Stephen Lewis, founder of EMC² and Co-Author of the novel Sanctuary: The Path To Consciousness has been exploring energetic balancing for more than 25 years. His path began with an interest in oriental philosophy combined with German psychiatry, specifically the work of W. Reich who b

autism | downs syndrome | energetic healing | AIM | EMC2

Source: Blog Talk Radio

Video: Unraveling The Mysteries Of Autism

News Elf — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:25:40 +0000

This Video about unraveling the mystery of Autism is very educational and helpful in many ways. You hear from Doctors, about what the best treatments for Autism are. You hear from parents and feel their pain and joys as they share their experiences raising an Autistic family. You even hear from a young Autistic gentleman who shares his triumphs and victory’s with Autism. This is a must see video. Enjoy.

Source: Behavior Characteristics of Autism

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