Autistic Children - Practical Tips For Distressed Parents

Having a child diagnosed with autism may be fraught with heavy emotions for many parents but it is a time when they are required to to keep their wits about them, learn the true extent of autism and what they can do to help the child grow as a healthy, happy and capable individual. This knowledge will guide parents in learning and applying proven, scientific methods in dealing with the disorder and training their own emotional responses so the child does not feel unloved.

Contacting the National Autism Society of America and finding out about other parents with a child who has autism is a step forward to being with persons in a similar situation who can be a support group for them; parents get to discuss and find release for their feelings besides gaining valuable information about the condition affecting their child.

Besides local chapters associated with Autism support, parents have a wealth of resources handy, though these are usually in contact with top doctors, intervention programs and have right knowledge about arranging workshops for both your child and the family so should be used as a guide to Autism treatment. These support groups are a fund of learning resources on autism and dealing with them and even children in the family not affected by the disorder can join these to learn how best to treat their sibling who has been diagnosed with Autism; thus, local support groups double up as learning centers for desirable behavior for family members who may otherwise have been overwhelmed by the news of the disorder affecting a loved one.

From tips on living and treating an autistic child to points they must remember in order to avoid acting against the welfare of the child's progress, a local support group has many specially designed programs for different age groups and levels of autism: they make it possible to learn more about the illness so are beneficial for families in need of building a supportive environment so an autistic child can grow normally.

Those parents whose child has recently been diagnosed with autism may also be benefited by considering marriage counseling as having a special child can put a strain on the relationship, leading to arguments, blame-game, fault-finding even neglecting each other, which is harmful for the fabric of the family. Many marriages break down under the stress associated with lack of supportive spouses or knowledge about dealing with autism, so counselling therapy is very important.

Your pediatrician or even a psychiatrist may not always be the best person to consult about autism as it is a neurological disorder that requires accurate diagnosis and timely treatment to keep it in control and help a child grow to the best of his or her ability; you need to be your autistic child's best resort and this is why it is imperative you learn up as much as you can about the condition. Vocate, you must know everything you can about autism. The organization called Parents of Autistic Children is a great learning place for getting training and joining workshops for knowledge enhancement and workshops and signing up for the ASA newsletter also offers a lot of information, from tips on diagnosing the condition to treatment options so parents are advised to gain from the learning contained in these resources.

Abhishek has got some great Autism Treatment Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 41 Page Ebook, "Understanding And Treating Autism" from his website http://www.Health-Whiz.com/555/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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Autistic National Society

A variety of support and information groups exist to help families that are living with autism. Physicians, psychiatrists, educators, and parents who join these groups describe the tremendous benefits of belonging to an organization that advances the cause of autism research, as well as providing a support group for families, friends, and teachers of autistic children.

Founded in 1965 by Dr. Bernard Rimland, the Autism Society of America is the premier national autistic support/advocacy group in the United States. It is the oldest and largest "grassroots" organization in the autistic community. The Autism Society of America is dedicated to increasing public awareness of autism and the issues faced by families living with autism; the society's mission is to provide information, education, support, and advocacy for autistic programs and services.

The National Autism Association is an American support group designed to educate and empower families living with autism. They work to educate society about autism, its heredity factors, and environmental factors. Those involved in the autistic community are encouraged to assist their loved ones reach their full potential and raise money for autism research.

The National Autistic Society is an organization in the United Kingdom that works with individuals and government bodies to promote the rights and interests of individuals diagnosed with autism, as well raising the awareness of those living with and affected by autistic individuals. The Society provides local advice and support for families affected by autism; care and education for children and adults with autism; employment training for adults with Asperger's syndrome; training for parents and professionals; reliable information and publications, and routinely lobbies and campaigns for the funding of autistic programs and research.

In Canada, the Autism Canada Foundation is the main autism advocacy group. Their goal is to "engage, educate, empower, and unite people to find a cure for autism." The Autism Canada Foundation supports research that addresses the cause of autism, promotes public and government awareness of early diagnoses and effective treatment options, and provides caregivers with a wealth of objective information on treatments, therapy, and educational rights and opportunities.

Online support groups are a wealth of knowledge and experience. Knowing everything about autism is the first step in ensuring that your child has the most advantages possible. In addition, mental health and medical experts strongly recommend that families and caregivers of autistic children attend local support groups. Some people may find the idea wishy-washy or "corny", but the resources available to members of support groups are amazing. Parents and caregivers can share ideas and strategies for communicating with their autistic children and receive emotional support from someone who understands the process and is living through it as well. Often, people from your autism or Asperger's syndrome support group are among the only people who understand what it is like living with these children, and will never be "sick" of hearing you talk about your fears and triumphs. There is no substitute for experience, and the advice given and friendships made at support groups is often invaluable.

After reading many different books on autism, I've been able to narrow down a terrific resource that encompasses all of the fundamental facets of this disorder. Want to learn the ins and outs of Autism? Gain the knowledge that experts are sharing by Clicking Here!

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Autism Treatment for Adults

Despite the fact that decades of research has gone into understanding the different disorders found in the Autism spectrum, there is no known cure in existence to date. It is bio-neurological in nature and prevents individuals of all age groups, including adults, from communicating and interacting with the individuals around them in their environment. As a result, the medical community will prescribe one of a number of therapies that help to diminish the effects of the disorder.

One of the important aspects to realize regarding adult Autism is the fact that the public school's responsibility to the afflicted individual once they reach 22 years of age. At this point in time, the parents of the autistic individual are faced with some significant challenges such as employment opportunities and living arrangements for the person. They also have to be concerned with finding facilities and programs that offer supportive services that will help the autistic individual to achieve their goals.

Effective adult Autism treatment

This also applies to dealing with adult Autism and may involve the use of therapies ranging from behavior modification to dietary and nutritional counseling. In so doing, the effects of the disorder can be diminished while enabling the autistic adult to be a contributing and productive individual in social environments. Here are some recommendations for Autism treatment in adults:

o Occupational therapy can help the autistic individual learn how to perform everyday chores and tasks including dressing themselves and following proper hygiene

o Physical therapy is a highly effective form of Autism treatment because of regular exercise and how it teaches the individual to control their different body movements

o Behavior modification techniques are extremely effective for diminishing and eliminating those behavior patterns that are labeled as being aggressive, repetitive, and undesirable

o Sensory Integration Therapy exposes the autistic adult to a variety of sensory stimuli that teaches them appropriate reactions

o Change the person's diet so that foods containing casein (a dairy protein), gluten, oats, and wheat are eliminated as these types of foods are not adequately absorbed by the autistic individual which in turn can affect how their brain functions

Remember that for the best results where adult Autism treatment is concerned, you want to use a combination of several approaches and not just rely on a single one. As no two individuals are ever alike, neither are any two autistic adults as they will respond differently to different approaches to treatment.

Another avenue of Autism treatment is treating the disorder naturally without the use of medications. This is oftentimes preferred by parents as it involves the use of alternative medical approaches and vitamin supplements. Over the past several years, the natural approach has become increasingly more popular. Basically, the natural approach to Autism treatment is more commonly referred to as a Holistic approach to treating the disorder. It has been hypothesized that Autism may be caused by high levels of toxic metals in the system or vitamin deficiencies.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

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How to Help Children With Autism Make Transitions

Autism has been classified as a neural development disorder and developmental disability that is characterized by repetitive and restricted behavior patterns as well as impaired communication and social skills. One of the more critical aspects of the disorder that parents of children with Autism are confronted with is transitioning from activity or task to another. The autistic child has a great deal of difficulty with this as it creates anger and confusion for them which oftentimes results in them throwing some hideous tantrums.

Consider the following 6 suggestions for helping your autistic child through these transitions so that it goes as smoothly as possible:

Always plan ahead - make sure that you always have the alarm, hourglass, or timer set up in advance so there is no confusion. You should always insist on consistency whenever babysitters, family members, teachers, or therapists are watching your child. This helps the child to understand the concept better.

Children with Autism need consistency - by using the same amount of warning time and words consistently, the child will have an easier time of adjusting to and understanding the transitions from one activity to the next. The child will also transition easier once they understand exactly what you expect of them.

Employ the reward system - making the transition from the current activity to the next one is extremely difficult for children with Autism. Offer the child some sort of incentive or reward for making a smooth transition between the activities that are on the day's agenda. The reward could be as simple as a favorite activity or one of their favorite foods.

Evaluate difficult situations - if you notice that there is a certain degree of difficulty involving the transition from one activity to the next, you can avoid any major problems (e.g. temper tantrums) by first evaluating the circumstances surrounding the transition. An example of this is a child's refusal or resistance to transitioning between activities due to certain sensory issues that upset the child. Simple accommodations or adjustments can help to correct this.

Invest in a timer if you don't have one - make sure that you purchase one that your autistic child will have an easier time of understanding when they should change the activity they are engaged in. If the child is younger an hourglass or sand timer may be easier for them to comprehend whereas an older child might be able to handle a digital clock alarm.

Respect the child's need for being warned - it is extremely difficult for children with Autism to move from one activity to the next especially if they are deeply engaged in the current activity. It's going to take a considerable amount of time and all the patience you can muster to teach them how to transition between activities. If you gently warn them that a change is coming, it will make it easier for the child to make that transition.

Remember that the goal here is to not only make transitioning easier for any children with Autism but to make them understand why it is necessary as well. Things will go a lot smoother for you overall.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

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Play for Children with Autism

Most of us have limited time to spend looking for the kinds of toys and activities that will help to develop the children in our care. When my second son was diagnosed with autism, I spent a lot of time looking for suitable toys for children with autism. I was looking for activities to entertain him and stimulate his development in particular his play and interactive skills but it was really hard to find them.

I worked hard and built up my collection of toys for autistic children and activities and my knowledge of how to employ them. I soon realised that I was not alone in finding it difficult and that other parents of autistic children would also benefit from a one-stop parent friendly shop or catalogue to get both advice and resources to help their children develop their language and play skills. This led to the launch of sensetoys.com a website packed with products and ideas for parents and carers of all young children but especially those with special educational needs.

The range of products includes thick wooden jigsaw puzzles with large chunky pieces and simple non-stylised pictures, lovely fabric shaped beanie bags to teach shapes and colours in a fun and tactile way, large chunky tactile shapes with big holes to encourage threading activities, cause and effect toys such as the wooden Jumping Shapes game, the Waggy Garden with its slanted posting panel so a child can see the shaped holes more easily and of course lots of tactile sensory balls such as the squirmy wormy ball.

Sensetoys helps parents find and choose which toys they need, explains how to use them and why they can work so that parents and children get the most from each product. So if you're looking for help to get started, visit www.sensetoys.com.

Lesley established SenseToys after many fruitless searches for toys and activities to help with the special needs of her two sons – her eldest suffered a language delay through glue ear and her second son Edward has an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

As a parent, the early stages of learning about and coming to terms with even the mildest of special needs are extremely difficult and stressful times. One of the greatest frustrations is identifying practical ways to help your child – whilst climbing a very steep learning curve in terms of understanding the problem, including learning about whole new areas of health and education provision which most parents never encounter, there is the overwhelming desire to want to be able to do something practical.

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Preventing Autism: Cheap, Simple and EFFECTIVE

There is a simple, cheap, and effective form of Autism Prevention therapy. Here it is:

Less than 1% of all doctors in the USA are even aware that vitamin C takes all minerals, including heavy metals out of the body. It's not true chelation, as vitamin C combines metabolically, but it's the same result. Take out all, and put back in what is needed. Most doctors even believe that the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of 75 mg is correct for good health, when 4000 mg is the RDA for a 150 pound ape. (Apes are more valuable it seems.)

Mineral analysis of people who use 2000-5000 mg (2-5 grams) per day of vitamin C for a year or so show heavy metals toxicity so low it is immeasurable. We have an epidemic of autism, mostly caused by mercury, aluminum, and/or lead toxicity. This toxicity is increasing in our culture and pregnant women are more and more subject to this environmental poisoning. This is creating infant toxicity before birth such that the infant liver may be near toxic levels, and the addition of vaccines using these preservatives overloads the infant liver and actually kills brain cells. A simple and cheap prevention is to have any pregnant woman start on 4 grams per day of cheap vitamin C (less than $30 for 9 months supply at Costco). If she takes 2 1000 mg tablets at breakfast and 2 more at dinner, and then takes pre-natal vitamins and vitamins at lunch, the "shared" blood stream of mother and fetus will be gradually cleared of mercury and other heavy metals.

This allows the birth of a baby that is not near toxic levels in that tiny liver, and now is able to handle further toxic loads after entering the world. Autism is a "bankruptcy" disease to families. Instead of spending millions on "cure", let's spend a small amount on prevention. But doctors need to be re-educated about vitamin C. Big Pharma has done a job with their refutation of Linus Pauling, and the other scientists work below.

These include Frederick R. Klenner. http://www.doctoryourself.com/vitaminc2.html by Andrew Saulas, the only psychologist in the Orthomolecular Medical Society for many years and a personal friend of Abram Hoffer and Carl Pfeiffer. Dr. Bate has personally taken 4 grams per day of vitamin C (as above), for a number of years, my recent mineral analysis shows the only heavy metals even measurable are aluminum and arsenic, and both are extremely low on the toxic level. (His wife cooks with aluminum, and we get fresh vegetables from possibly insecticide sprayed fields.)

He has also used vitamin C in my former practice to solve many cases of schizophrenia caused by excessive copper using 10 grams per day of vitamin C very successfully. These cases included both the Wilson's family gene, and some women that the birth control pill had been involved in the copper uptake. He has also successfully used vitamin C to push out mercury in cases of depression. This simple and cheap therapy has the potential to stop the current epidemic of autism, and at least bring it back to the 1 case in 10,000, instead of the current 1 in less than 150. Also, simple to test the validity. Find 100-1000 recently pregnant women, and start this regimen. If less than 6 months left in pregnancy, go to 3 grams per dose, etc.

Doris J. Rapp, M.D.
Board Certified in Pediatrics, Allergy and Environmental Medicine
Clinical Assist. Prof. of Pediatrics at SUNYAB
8179 E. Del Cuarzo Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480-905-9195 (Office)
480-659-9500 (Fax)
http://www.drrapp.com

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The Many Signs of Autism

If you are the parent of a newborn or young child and are worried about them being autistic, you will be interested in knowing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have concluded that as many as one child in every 100 may be suffering with Autism. It is recommended that you begin observing your child as early as possible. Research has proven that the earlier a child is professionally diagnosed with the disorder, the easier it will be to treat the disorder and have the prognosis for a good outcome.

So what are the signs of Autism that you should be looking for? According to the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), the following are the warning signs of the disorder that you should be looking for in order to determine the possibility of your child being affected:

- They are not babbling, making meaningful gestures, or pointing by the time they are a year old
- They do not interact joyfully with others or smile
- They do not respond to their name when called
- They do not seem to know or understand how to play with their toys
- They exhibit poor eye contact
- They get attached to one specific object or toy
- They haven't combined two words by the time they are 2 years old
- They haven't spoken one word by the time they have reached 16 months of age
- They line up objects or their toys
- They lose acquired language or social skills
- They oftentimes appear to be hearing impaired or ignoring you

Granted, there could be a number of other explanations besides Autism for any of the above behaviors. For instance, the fact that a child spends time lining up objects or toys or shows a significant attachment to a particular object or toy is not a definitive sign of the disorder being present. Conversely, a child with excellent language skills could still be diagnosed with Autism. In fact, it is known that children have extraordinary language and reading skills despite the fact that they have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

Currently, there are other possible indicators of the disorder which is typically diagnosed by a process of interviewing the parents about the child and observing the child at the same time. However, a number of researchers have found several correlations between Autism and certain physical issues. In some instances, signs of Autism could be apparent could be present at birth.

The most important thing to remember is that observation of one's child is critical. If you are suspicious of your child being affected with the disorder and you are seeing what you feel are signs of Autism, consult your child's pediatrician or family physician immediately. Remember that the best course of action is to have the child diagnosed as early in life as possible. The sooner the child is diagnosed, the sooner they can start treatment and possibly witness a better outcome.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maxine_Wagner

How to Manage Autism Wandering

Autism is an condition that affects over 1.5 million people in the U.S., including adults, and wandering is a behavior that is challenging for all. A generation ago, most children who were diagnosed with it were institutionalized. Thankfully, parents, schools, physicians and society in general now know most of the symptoms and behaviors of those afflicted, and can work with these individuals to ensure that they have a healthy and safe lifestyle. Without preparation for wandering, an individual can possibly leave the house and encounter dangerous circumstances. Preparing one's home, and taking measures to protect those with autism can give a sense of security to those that care for them.

Preventing Wandering

As much as you may want to be there for your child or adult that you are offering caregiving to, there will be moments when you cannot supervise every second. Bathing, sleeping, working or just turning your back for a few moments to complete a task can allow enough time for your charge to walk out the front or back door and "elope" as wandering is sometimes called. The risks are real if the individual gets too far - overexposure to heat or cold, accidents involving traffic, and unfortunately, drowning. Here are a few tips to prevent the wandering:

1. Place a STOP sign on all doors and describe what it means, and that it is there to remind them to tell you if they want to go outside.
2. Install an alert system on doors and windows to notify you if either are opened.
3. Install a double-sided deadbolt on doors and do not allow the child or adult see where you keep the key.
4. Fence your yard.

Recovering a Wanderer

Should the child or adult with autism wander, there are methods to help you recover them more quickly.

1. Place a medical bracelet with name, address, phone number and note that the individual has autism, so that a person finding them can notify you at once.

2. Have the person wear a GPS Device on their belt, wrist, or on a lanyard around their neck as a safety precaution.

3. Alert your neighbors of the person with autism's condition in case they happen to come upon them if they are out unsupervised.

4. If the autistic person does happen to wander, be prepared with a sheet that has a current photo and describes any identifying features, contact information, the individual's favorite songs, toys or hobbies, any sensory, medical or dietary issues, and the method of best communication to give to those looking.

5. Teach your child or adult with autism how to swim. Because those with autism are naturally drawn to water, to potential for them to want to seek out a pool, a lake or a stream is high. When they are prepared, they may be safer. Make sure the final swimming test is done with clothes on.

These steps may not prevent wandering, but an ID and a GPS device will help you greatly in recovering a person with autism who wanders.

At Guardian Angel is a company that has a goal to keep individuals, especially those who are aging, safe. With several products available, you can find out more at http://www.atguardianangel.com and register for a newsletter at one of the "issueswith" sister sites to be delivered online each week.

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Helping Your ASD Child Survive A Sensory Sensitive Holiday

The holidays are a time of great joy, laughter, learning experiences, sensory awakenings, and fabulous opportunities. Unfortunately, maintaining a holiday atmosphere full of merriment and cheer is not possible to sustain twenty-four hours a day, every day of the week, especially when you have a child on the autism spectrum.

It's that time of year when candy, lights, sounds, new foods, family, and utter chaos can easily over stimulate your ASD child if you aren't paying attention. Keeping up with your child's sensory needs may seem difficult to do in the middle of holiday mayhem but it is the most important thing you can do to make the holiday season in your family more peaceful.

Sensory overload is very common during the holidays, for parents as well as children. It's a time of school field trips and parties, family visits, decorations galore and holiday shopping, when the stores are busier than ever. All of this activity makes it easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and more difficult to maintain the status quo.

Here are a few strategies and ideas to help the whole family get through this season with lots of pictures of smiling people and as many joyful memories as possible.

For the child who is sensitive to light:

Traveling sunglasses - If your child is sensitive to bright lights you should always be prepared with a set of sunglasses. Dropping in on Uncle Jim who is competing to have the best-lit house on his block may be too much for anyone's eyes to adjust to. Always have a supply of cheap yet fun sunglasses on hand to shade your child's eyes from glaring department store lights or the Christmas tree blinkers. You never know where you will find them.

For the child who is sensitive to touch:

Handling holiday huggers - This one is very difficult to address, especially with grandparents that just want to hug their grandchild to bits and pieces out of sheer love and joy. Some children love the deep pressure and will spend many happy times getting squeezes and cheek-pinches. Other children might flinch, back away or freak out or even hit, especially if startled by the touch.

Teach your child how to politely let people know they don't want to be touched. Either with a non-verbal signal, such as outstretched hand in STOP signal mode or with words, such as, "No, I don't want to be hugged, but I will shake your hand." This allows your child to experience a feeling of control and hopefully success in communicating.

Dressing for comfort - Many parents want their children to look their best for the holidays, especially for those photo sessions. But who can have fun and relax when they're uncomfortable? The most important thing for your child to be wearing during the holidays is a smile. Be willing to make compromises and respect your child's honesty when she says, "This itches too much."

Arguing with her statement will only risk a potential meltdown later in the day when she absolutely can't stand it anymore - if you were even able to get her to wear the itchy item in the first place. Feel free to cut off tags, turn clothing inside out so they don't feel the seams, or even wear a special pair of pj's. It's a holiday and kids are cute, you can get away with it!

For the child who is sensitive to sound:

Minimizing noise - Many children benefit from wearing earplugs or headphones during big family gatherings or at busy stores. They won't block out all the noise but will dull the noise enough to help. If you choose to use noise cancelling headphones just remember that you will have to work harder at trying to get their attention.

Scout out a place of respite - Wherever your travels take you during the holidays, be it grandma's house, the airport or shopping, find a nice quiet space away from everyone for a possible get-away. Bring your child's favorite snuggly, blanket or feel-good object for extra comfort. Don't be afraid to say to relatives, "His body needs some quiet time" and bring him to the previously identified place of respite so he can relax and regroup. Whether you stay with him or not, you or he will know when it is time to rejoin the group.

For the child with sensitive tastes or delicate tummies:

B.Y.O.F.- Bring Your own food - Holidays provide a great opportunity to try new foods. Taking a bite of cranberry for the first time can be a delight or a nightmare. If you know your child isn't going to eat what your host has served, be honest. Definitely let them know of any allergies ahead of time and if the list of your child's taste sensitivities is too long, bring an alternative food and don't apologize for it.

If the only thing your child will eat is a bologna sandwich for Thanksgiving dinner, so be it, as long as the reason for it is a legitimate sensory issue. Giving in to a child's minor dislikes too easily will develop an expectancy for future requests to be honored and you will be contributing to the picky eater syndrome.

For the child with a sensitive nose:

Develop scent awareness - Be cautious of scents that you place around the house during the holiday season. A child with a sensitive nose may not react well to different smells. Potpourri, air fresheners and scented candles in particular can carry very intense odors that could be responsible for contributing to an outburst. Consider purchasing unscented products and stick to natural aromas. Be careful though, even the wonderful smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree might be overwhelming to the senses of some children on the autism spectrum.

As parents, you know your child as well as anyone and most of these sensitivities are well known to you but as children develop, new sensitivities can arise. Paying attention to clues and noticing new reactions right from the start can go a long way towards preventing unnecessary meltdowns due to sensory overloads. Don't let something as avoidable as this put a damper on your holiday celebrations this season.

Connie Hammer, MSW, parent educator, consultant and coach, guides parents of young children recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder to uncover abilities and change possibilities. Visit her website http://www.parentcoachingforautism.com to get your FREE resources - a parenting e-course, Parenting a Child with Autism - 3 Secrets to Thrive and a weekly parenting tip newsletter, The Spectrum.

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Early Intervention is the Key to Helping a Child With Autism Or Any Development Disorder

Don't ever lose hope!

You may frustrated, exhausted, angry, confused and concerned about how to treat your child or other loved one and what to do to help them.

If it is Autism, Aspergers, PDD, ADHD, or any other developmental disorder, it should not ruin you and your child's life. It is not a curse - it is just a variation that can be worked around your life.

You and Your Loved One CAN still BE CAPABLE OF leading a Joyful, Secure, Peaceful, Triumphant and Fruitful Life just in a surprisingly different way. It won't ever be easy but it will be better.

SO please don't be in constant despair. Just start to think of your child or person who has a developmental disorder be it Autism or otherwise.

If YOU are still concerned about a child or a loved one you know that may be displaying weird behaviour, under developing, language delay, or anything that is concerning you and all you want to know is if any of these Signs and Symptoms of Autism? Check out my article: "Are You Concerned That Your Child Has Autism? 22 Signs and Symptoms of Autism to Look Out."

Believe me; I am aware of what you might be going through because not long ago I was in the same place wondering what is going on with my child!

You should be finding more about what to do to help your child as soon as you think that they may have a problem, whether it happens to be Autism or any other developmental disorder.

- Learn to spot main signs and symptoms to lookout for
- Start to Understand what Autism Means
- Learn about other Disorders related to Autism
- How a child is affected by the Autism condition
- What can be done?

ALL this is useful to know, learn and help your child. Knowledge is power and putting this knowledge into action will help you and your child's future. BUT Early INTERVENTION is the beginning and the key!

Intervening early or as soon as possible by helping your child and getting professionals such as speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and any one that can help to be involved at this early stage, you could actually help your child and their future.
Letting others know about the condition and to seek help for your child so that early intervention can be taken immediately is the best chance to see success and rewards for your child's future.

I must keep repeating that early intervention is the best possible way to cope with this disorder. Early Intervention will vastly improve your life and most important your child's life.

Believe me, I have been there and done this. Just by early intervention you are able to get your child:

o To understand what communication means
o To learn to point
o Teach why it is important to communicate
o To learn to better cope with everyday demands
o To be less dependent on you or a Guardian
o To cope with school (possibly a mainstream school)
o Learn to socialize with others
o Feel comfortable in a situation with other children early on
o To learn to play in an appropriate manner
o Learn to cope better with the challenging life

AND improve the quality of your and your loved one's life.

Although the quality of your life will change dramatically and has already, it can only be improved by early intervention. I am not saying that everything will be sorted out and life will be similar to a family with children with no disorders, NO this will not happen but you can dramatically help your child to look towards a better future than live in hopelessness. From my own experience I can say that early intervention is the key to helping a child with Autism or any other developmental disorder. Don't ever lose hope!

This is Part 3 of the saga of a series of articles I am writing on Autism. Please check my website http://signsandsymptomsofautism.com

Sofina Aghios is a mother of an Autistic Child who lives in London. I have attended many courses to deal with Autism and to learn about the lifelong condition, including dealing with challenging behaviour of an Autistic child. I have supported my child with PECS to get him to communicate and successfully getting him a Statement of Education Needs (SEN) to help with his support at a Mainstream School, knowing that he could deal with it. Yes, mainstream school, some Autistic children can attend mainstream school with support in the UK.

My objective is to raise awareness of Autism, to help other parents and people affected by autism and to bring my child up in a world where Autism is truly understood and is accepted.

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Autism: Communicating With PECS

When I first started teaching autistic children I was amazed with how easily those with non-communication skills usually adapted to PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). While I had been trained to use the system it really did not mean much to me until I entered the classroom and put it into practice.

Most of you are aware of the PECS basics: in the classroom each student has his/her own communication board that has been plasticized (doing this gave it a much longer life and we were able to keep each one clean). My staff and I used pieces of construction paper, taped them together so each one was long enough to accommodate the number of icons we would use each day.

We then used the computer to choose the different icons we needed. Some of those, such as the bathroom, bus, and playground icons we printed in quantities; while others, such as cash register, office, and bicycle we printed in smaller quantities. Once they were ready we placed them on a piece of construction paper and plasticized them. We then put Velcro on the communication board, and the icons, so that one would attach to the other (the extra icons we made were put in an icon book so they were readily available when needed).

There were times we faced the problem of not being able to find an appropriate icon for a specific need. This happened sometimes when we took the children to a certain restaurant. We wanted to prepare them by placing the icon on their board so they would know what we were doing and where we were going once we left the classroom and started walking toward the office. Preparing the students with this information, in advance, often saved a tantrum or another behavior from a child who became anxious. We tried to be as creative as possible. Sometimes one of the paraprofessional educators had a strong artistic ability and could draw an appropriate picture that we turned into an icon. If we did not have an 'artist' in our classroom we would try to find a picture in a magazine or find a similar icon that we could adapt.

During my memorable years of teaching autistic children I always tried to convince parents that their child should have a similar communication board and icons in their home. This offered consistency and it also helped the child to understand what would be going on during the evening and on weekends. Often parents complained that they did not always know what they would be doing during the evening. One evening, they would say, they wanted to watch TV while another evening they wanted to go out to dinner. They said that the decision may not be made until minutes before the activity was selected. I tried to reinforce the fact that 'some' preparation, in advance, was better than no preparation. Others found the communication system to be 'bulky' or 'time-consuming.' This is true; however, using PECS can save a parent a lot of time by preventing melt-downs and anxious moments. The parents would also be concerned because the 'icon making program' is expensive. We tried to meet this situation by offering to make the icons for the family. Some families also discovered that some non-profits or governmental agencies would help purchase this for them. Also, there are some wonderful pictures you can download, for free, on the internet.

If you are open to the idea of making the transition of communication from home- to school-to home consistent - I strongly suggest you look into the PECS program for your non-communicative child. It offers your autistic child a way to communicate - and this opens a whole new world.

By Jack E. George

http://www.jackegeorge.com
http://www.theautismhandbook.com

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9 Tips To Get A Photograph Of Your Autistic Child

Many families like to take yearly photos. However, if you have an autistic child, getting them to pose for a picture is no easy task. The autistic child might not want to sit still or may even be bothered by the bright lights. However, there is hope in getting that picture finally taken. Here are a few tips.

- Before you pick a photographer, you may want to ask parents of autistic children where they have gotten their photos done. There could be a photographer in your area that handles autistic children and knows what to expect.

- Pick a time where your child is generally in a good mood. Many autistic children tend to run on a schedule and you can usually tell when they are going to be in a better mood.

- Some autistic children have a favorite cloth or a favorite object. Bring it with you to the photo studio. This can keep them calm and relaxed through the process and help get the photo done faster. It can even be included in the photo.

- Your child might respond better in the home. Have the photographer come to your house and take pictures. This will be easier on you as well because if your autistic child does have a bad reaction you are already home and can soothe them quicker.

- When going to a photographer, let them know you have an autistic child beforehand. This will help the photographer prepare any way that they need to and they may even have suggestions. If your child has problems with bright lights, let the photographer know so preparations can be made.

- Don't force your child to take the picture. If your child won't sit still, don't stress him or her out to get the picture taken. Candid shots work just as well and can be endearing.

- Let your autistic child get used to the camera. Let them look at it (but don't touch) and get comfortable with it. This could help them relax and get ready for the picture easier.

- Your child might not want to sit during the photo shoot, and that's is perfectly fine. Let them stand or even lay down. The photographer should be able to work around your family's needs when it comes to taking the photo. Let your child do what is going to make them most comfortable. If the photographer you choose doesn't accept this, just find one who will.

- A photo doesn't have to be professionally done. Your autistic child might respond better if you are the one taking the pictures. You can also take pictures doing every day activities, during family get-togethers or holidays. Many family's photo albums are full of special moments. Yours doesn't have to be any different just because your child is autistic. Take photos of them whenever you get a chance.

Taking photos of your autistic child doesn't have to be a stressful experience. Like anything else your autistic child has ever done, make them comfortable and don't force them to do anything. Make it a fun time and enjoy the situation. The pictures will get taken and look great.

Abhishek has got some great Autism Treatment Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 41 Pages Ebook, "Understanding And Treating Autism" from his website http://www.Health-Whiz.com/555/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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Make Communication Picture Cards For Your Autistic Child - How?

Communication for children with autism is one of the major obstacles. Many autistic children have a difficult time to express themselves verbally. Many do not retain or understand the information they receive. Now you can help solve that problem by making communication picture cards for your autistic child. But, how?

One of the tools that is helpful for your child to learn how to communicate is using pictures on cards for communication. This system can be extremely helpful for reinforcement, expressing messages instead of words through visual pictures, placed on cards.

These cards have images and you may purchase them, but it can become expensive. Therefore, you will probably be inclined to make your own. By making your own cards, you will save money, you can be specific about what images your child is in need of, by using and understanding the pictures you want to put on the cards.

If you decide to make your own cards for communication with your child, it can become creative and you can even include your child to help you with the cards, or let him or her know what you are doing and why. In addition, the cost is reduced.

To make your own cards for communication with pictures, start with the following steps:

* Find out what your child will need or places your child will go on a regular routine. For example: Foods, objects, directions, etc. Create a list of these areas, subjects, and objects, add them to the list or subtract them from the list as time goes on.

* It is a good idea to make sure you are using the same cards that will help your family, your therapist, church, school teachers, siblings, relatives, and other people involved with communication for your child. You may want to consider giving them a set of the same cards you are using.

* When you go with your child to meetings, appointments, other functions, bring your picture communication cards with you to designate what the pictures on the cards will communicate while you are there.

* Now that you have thought about what to put on the list, next take digital photographs, cut the images out of magazines, newsletters, advertising data, that is familiar to your child and is also on the list you have made. You can take time to draw the images, as well.

* Now that you have the images for communication picture cards to be made, place these images on poster board, or heavy stiff card stock. You can use rubber paper cement glue to adhere them to the card stock.

* Underneath the picture, write the word or description of what the picture indicates for communication purposes.

* You might want to think about laminating the cards to protect them. This is an option. In addition you can use clear protective plastic sleeves for protection.

* I have learned, when you are making your communication picture cards is, if you are drawing pictures, be sure to keep them simple and not confusing.

* To make this process fun for your child and you to learn, you can put your picture communication cards on velcro strips and hang them in his or her room or purchase magnets and place the picture cards for communication on your refrigerator for viewing.

Be willing to take the time and be creative in making your communication cards with pictures. You will have positive results. It is a fun process.

Bonita Darula's informational web sight==> http://www.autismintoawareness.com is where you SIGN up and RECEIVE your FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with updated topics that are imperative for your Autistic child and you. In addition, updated new E-Books to choose from about the signs and warnings of Autism. Check it out.

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Autism in Children - Two Important Signs to Monitor That Indicate the Condition

Do you know that more and more people are being afflicted with autism spectrum disorder? This is a fact because many children are continually being diagnosed with this disease on a daily basis all over the world. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than 2 million people are infected with the disease and the figure is likely to be increasing on a daily basis.

If you are a parent or an intending one, there are certain signs you need to monitor in your child to know if that child is having autism. The major signs to monitor usually affect the communicative and behavior skills of the patient. Read the below two important signs that can help you know whether your child is autistic or not. But of course, ensure that you get the doctor's confirmation before taking any action.

The first sign area you will like to watch out for is the inability of the child to display the needed social skill when it is time. A normal child is likely to show gestures and imitate certain words before he or she reaches one year and six months. If your child at this age cannot show this skill then watch out as he or she might be a victim of the condition.

Another is the behavior he or she is constantly exhibiting. An autistic child usually displays a repetitive characters like the repetition of some words when it is not necessary. He or she could also repeat certain actions such as flapping of hands. The habit is often referred to as stimming. A child with autism usually displays this habit.

These two signs, among others, should alert you to the presence of autism in your child. But of course, before making any decisions or arriving at any conclusions, you should talk to your doctor to examine your child and let you know what the true situation is.

Click to learn --> Autism Toddlers Symptoms and secrets to High Functioning Autism!

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ABA Therapy Uses Repetition to Teach Independence

For many outsiders looking at ABA Therapy for the first time, there are a lot of questions. One of the most common questions parents ask is how teaching a child to repeat an answer that they are given to a question can teach them anything beyond rote memorization. While it is true that initial goals of ABA Therapy include a great deal of teaching children to mimic answers to questions, the therapy is part of a rewiring process that teaches their brains to produce nerve synapses that many brains perform naturally. As this development occurs, children develop the ability to think critically and independently, ultimately leading to skills and functions that help make them virtually indistinguishable from their peers.

Many critics of ABA Training have seen the therapy only a few times and formed an opinion. The fact is that ABA Therapy is the only treatment approved by most health insurance companies for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The reason for this is that it simply works. For decades, ABA Therapy has been preparing children with varying degrees of ASD for school, work, and other social situations. While it is most effective when introduced during toddler and preschool years, a majority of people with an ASD can see a significant improvement with ABA Training at any age.

Repetition plays a strong part in ABA Therapy. A child is asked a question and provided the answer. The child is then asked the same question and prompted to respond. Clues are often given, though over time they become vaguer until the child is expected to answer without prompting. This is a valuable tool, because it helps not only teach the child to properly respond to questions and requests, but because it helps providers teach children what types of behavior will get results.

When a question is asked, only appropriate answers and behavior will garner any result. Any inappropriate behaviors are ignored, teaching children over time that proper behavior is the only way to gain attention or favor. While answering questions helps children to learn new things, this aspect of ABA Therapy also teaches fundamentals of behavior and of giving importance to human interaction over other stimuli, things that other children learn much differently.

In conclusion, repetition is truly a fundamental part of ABA Training, but it is not in an effort to teach rote memorization. Only through repetition can thinking patterns within the brain adapt and change themselves, and only through repetition can these children be taught the basic fundamentals of behavior and social interaction. While to outsiders this repetition may make little sense, for parents who have seen it teach their children to think independently, the value of this aspect of ABA Therapy is remarkably obvious.

Garrett Butch is the father of a 6 year old with autism and the founder of Maximum Potential Group.

Maximum Potential has developed courses that train parents and school systems how to work with children with autism.

http://www.maximumpotentialkids.com

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Autistic Christmas - Making Christmas Easier on Your Autistic Child

Yes autism and Christmas. Now this is a time most children look forward to all year and parents do too. Autistic children often find this to be the hardest possible time of year. Routines and stability go out the window, the house is alive with all sorts of people and things are not the way they should be.

As any parent or caregiver of an autistic child knows, things go really bad when routines go out the window. Simple changes can be the hardest thing in the world for autistic children to cope with so all the changes that come with Christmas complicate their worlds even worse.

Decorations go up, trees, lights, everything becomes so overwhelming.

So how can you make this holiday season a little happier for your child?

Begin by remembering change is hard for them. Do things a little at a time, don't pack all the holiday stuff into just a couple of days, that leave them stressed and worn out (not to mention yourselves from coping with meltdowns.)

Give them warning, take it a step at a time so as not to overwhelm them. Giving them some advanced notice and showing them pictures of last years Christmas can help with the adjustment.

Be prepared for the coming meltdowns. Remember this is more difficult on them then you, so it is important that you give them more time, more patience, whatever it is they need to come through the holidays.

Let yourself say no. Yes it is the holidays and everyone wants to celebrate and have parties and lots of family around, but remember it is okay to say no to invites if for nothing more than your child's sanity and emotional well being.

And then comes Christmas day itself, be prepared for the meltdowns. Allow them the time they need to themselves. Let them open presents on their own timeline. If they can only handle one an hour then so be it. Wouldn't you rather give them the gift of love and care for their emotional well being than making sure all presents are opened right away in the rush of the morning?

Don't forget their needs this holiday season. Being a parent to a special needs child can be difficult, but being that special needs child is even more difficult.

Autistic children need all the more love and care, and holiday seasons are no exception, for more tips on making an autism Christmas work make sure you click here

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Autistic Children And Holidays - How You Can Make It The Best Holiday Yet

Having a child with autism can be difficult on any day. Make that day a holiday and the stress increases ten-fold. So many changes in settings, noise level, schedules and many other things make it very difficult for the autistic child to cope. What can you do to make the holiday season easier on your child?

First start preparing them way in advance. If they know a change is coming, they may take it easier, then if they simply have to cope with the change that day. Try to explain what will be happening, so that they have an idea ahead of time what to expect.

Give them safe zones. Is the house going to be full will people? Make sure that your child knows that it is okay for them to go to their own room if they are feeling overwhelmed by everything. Not going to be at home, bring a comfort item with you, or speak to the host and see if a room cannot be set up for the child in case they need to remove themselves from the situation. Just a little preparation beforehand can make all the difference in the stress level of the day.

Involve them. Let them pick the music that is playing, let them help decorate or pick what the lights on the tree do. By giving them some control over the environment, you're giving them something to focus on, other then the things that may stress them.

Don't over do it. Most children find the excitement of Christmas overwhelming. If non-autistic children find holidays overwhelming, imagine how your autistic child feels. Limit what you're doing in a day. Don't spend an entire day out and about visiting lots of relatives. Instead try to spread out the visits over a week, or have one parent remain at home with your child, while the other parent makes the rounds. Do whatever you can to reduce the stressful situations for your child during the holiday season to make it easier on all involved.

Try to maintain the normal routine as much as possible. With the holidays our schedules become hectic and very off the normal. Do you best to maintain as much normalcy as you can for your child, and you will find it much easier to cope yourself. Try to keep bedtime the same, bedtime routines how they should be. Keep as much of the day how it should be to ease the difficulties your child may have with the holidays.

Holiday seasons can go smoothly with an autistic child as long as you plan things out well. Just remember to let the child have some control over the situation, and line up safe zones for them for the times stress is just to much.

Autism and holidays can be a very difficult issue to cope with, for more coping methods click here!

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Autism and Holiday Breaks: Designing a Vacation Activity Schedule

Extended breaks from a routine can be refreshing and rejuvenating for many of us. That being the case, it is often comforting to fall back into your own pattern of daily life. Some of those affected by autism, though, have a very tough time adjusting to changes in their schedules and their surroundings. Therefore, a typically reinforcing vacation can spark numerous behavioral challenges and may leave you wondering what happened!

While it isn't possible to recreate an individual's school or daily schedule during holiday breaks and longer school absences, it is possible to help add a little more structure. Rigidity, on your part, is not the goal here (it is a vacation after all!) but most individuals with moderate to severe autism will often choose to follow a short activity schedule when given the choice. A short schedule such as this will most likely resemble what he/she is using at school; and therefore ease their anxiety or frustration. Unlike a school activity schedule, your vacation schedule can be composed of mainly fun or relaxing 'activities' with a few educational or chore associated items added as you see fit. An example of a vacation activity schedule could look like this:

10:00....
Watch TV
Play Outside
Computer

11:00...
Clean-up Room
Empty Laundry
Practice Piano

12:00 Lunch

Notice that there are choices when it comes to leisure and chore/educational activities. Also, sometimes there aren't any choices, such as at Lunch Time. Making sure that this schedule is followed to a tee is not the goal here. It will add some structure to their day and (very importantly) give you the ability to add unsuspected activities like Going to Grandmother's House. These unplanned events have the potential of intensifying a routine-break anxiety flare-up. When these trips/events are added to the vacation activity schedule in advance, it can help prepare the individual for this change in their routine.

Although it is a good goal to help individuals with ASD become more flexible when it comes to following (and not following) routines, these vacation schedules can really help in the mean time. Many of us (myself included) use a written or digital system to schedule our days, weeks or months. The digital era now provides any number of devices to help in this area, from PDA's to smart-phones, laptops, etc. My eyes were opened to this issue when I first began teaching students with autism. After a relatively short month and a half of summer vacation, I was preparing myself for a somewhat challenging week of teaching. After all, my students most likely haven't had many demands placed on them throughout the summer and now I would be asking them to complete any number of challenging activities. To my total surprise, most of my students seemed to enjoy the fact that they could now continue their school routines and behavior challenges were low! Again, it is important to add periodic changes to routines that will help create more flexibility. Remember to have fun and allow your son/daughter the ability to follow a routine that will help them acclimate.

The piano can be a great addition to any activity schedule!

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Autism and Holidays - 10 Tips For Enjoying Holidays With Your Autistic Child

The holidays are a special time to share with family and build memories. This can be very difficult for families with an Autistic child. You can still have an enjoyable celebration, it just means that as a parent you will have to take some extra care and be sure to plan ahead.

1. Keep Visits Short: Plan shorter visits with family and friends. This will help prevent your child from getting too tired or overstimulated. You can schedule several visits so you can still have the same quantity of time.
2. Have Fewer Visitors: If possible, keep the visitors to a few at time. This isn't always possible in a large family or where people are traveling from out-of-town. Another option is to have a quiet place for your child to retreat where they can be alone or with just a few family members.
3. Don't Force Activities: If you put too much energy into pressing an activity your child doesn't like, it will cause grief for all involved.
4. Keep Routines: If it is important to your child to go to bed or eat at a certain time, then hold to it. If it is not possible to keep the full routine, have them engage in similar activity at the regular time such as a nap, a snack, or a quiet time.
5. Divide Your Time: Spread holiday activities out to help keep your child's time and energy more balanced.
6. Shop Kid-Free: This is especially important if your child does not like crowds. The amount of activity during the holidays can be overwhelming enough for those of us without Autism.
7. Open a Few Presents at a Time: The excitement of opening gifts can get out of control and lead to over stimulation. Opening a few presents at a time can help your child enjoy their gifts even more.
8. Make Others Aware: It is important to communicate with family and friends. They may not understand the nuances of what your child needs or what is going to cause harm. There will probably be some who find fault in your methods. Remind yourself of what you know to be true about your child if a conflict occurs.
9. Focus on the Holidays: Holidays are meant to be spent with family and loved ones. Focus on your blessings and on the love you have for your family.
10. Reward Your Child's Good Behavior: This will be a positive reinforcement and may inspire your child to be on his best behavior.

Bonus Tip

Let Yourself Relax: If your child senses stress or anxiety from you they will follow suit. Remember to breathe deeply and remove yourself from the situation for a few minutes if necessary. Take some time to pamper yourself. It will help energize you to better care for you child.

The holidays with an Autistic child can be a wonderful time. Step back from your daily problems and struggles. Remember your blessings and enjoy the holidays with your family.

There are so many things to deal with when caring for an Autistic family member. Gaining knowledge is so very important. You may find http://www.myautisminfo.com to be a helpful tool.

http://www.myautisminfo.com has articles, videos and other resources to help you grow in the knowledge and understanding you need.

You are also invited to join the discussion through comments and the forum.

by Deborah Lee

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Recognizing the Milder Symptoms of Autism

Most individuals tend to focus on Autism as the most severe disorder of all the Autism Spectrum disorders. It is typically triggered by dysfunctional neurological issues that oftentimes lead to dramatic and highly irreversible damage in behaviors, communication skills, physical development, and social interaction. The average age at which the disorder becomes detectable is three years old.

Despite the seriousness of the disorder, there are milder symptoms of Autism which are referred to as Asperger's Syndrome. Additionally, children suffering with Asperger's Syndrome usually have average to above-average IQ's. The following is information on the six most common yet milder symptoms of Autism:

Emotional concerns - individuals who suffer with milder Autism may oftentimes exhibit mood swings, even at an early stage in their lives. This is displayed when they get easily agitated because someone disrupts their "normal" routine.

Motor skill impairment - poor motor skills are usually a sign of mild Autism as well as the more severe cases. For instance, it may be difficult for them to catch a ball or there may be delays in learning handwriting skills.

Social skill impairment - another one of the skills that is usually impaired when a person exhibits the milder symptoms of Autism involves conversational difficulties, specifically starting and continuing a conversation with another individual. Additionally, the person finds it difficult to maintain eye contact with that person they are conversing with.

Obsessiveness - it is not uncommon for any child to focus on a single hobby or toy. However, when they are suffering with milder symptoms of Autism, they will not want to have anything to do with objects or toys that do not center around that favorite hobby or toy. They may talk incessantly about their obsession with that hobby or toy as well.

Repetition in speech - children with milder symptoms of Autism oftentimes repeat what they have heard from a book or on TV as well as what another person may have said to them. In many cases, this is due to the fact that the child's memorization skills are above-average compared to normal children.

Sensory issues - some children may also be suffering with sensory issue impairment. Certain things may aggravate or bother them such as bright lights, noises that are louder than normal, and the textures of certain foods.

As was mentioned above, the symptoms of Autism are usually spotted in the earlier years of a child's life. Although individuals suffering with the disorder do not always appear to be different from other individuals, their abnormalities are usually revealed in the way that they communicate, interact socially, and learn.

Finally, another aspect is that individuals who are suffering with Autism will share some common characteristics of the disorder. However, it is wrong to generalize these symptoms of Autism because of the fact that no two individuals, even those with Autism, are ever alike. Just like normal individuals, people with autism will develop distinctly unique personalities and will have different ways in which they relate to and understand the ways of the world.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maxine_Wagner

Treatment of Autism - The Important Roles of Vitamins and Minerals in Effectively Treating Autism

Autism is a disorder that affects the individual's communicative and language ability. This disease often affects children before their third birthdays. The exact cause of the disorder is yet to be proven by medical science.

Autism makes the autistic patient to speak incoherently and continuously display behaviors that are inimical to common behavior. Thus, autism symptoms are related to those of other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). It will interest you to know that in autism treatment centers, this disease is also known as autism spectrum disorder.

Autism cure is still eluding researches that have been carried out for many years. However, autism is treatable because some of the risk factors have been identified. Among other risk factors, it has been diagnosed that the autistic lacks certain vitamins and minerals in their body. To be specific, there has been low level of minerals like magnesium, calcium, chromium and folic acid in the blood of children with autism. Also, vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin B, etc are seen to be lacking in the blood of those who are diagnosed with the disorder.

To handle this situation, autism research papers presented in the past have revealed that children and adults with autism have shown significant improvement when supplements of vitamins and minerals are used in treating them. Yes, when the children were treated with thylglycine and niacin supplements.

In some autism treatment options, oral secretin is administered to the patient with a combination of vitamins and minerals are very effective in treating and controlling autism. They can be termed as Autism Spectrum Disorder/Cures used these days.

To find IEP Goals Autism and Causes Autism Children, click any or the 2 links!

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Speech Pathology - Affects Good Communication

Communication is very essential to our daily lives and it is the best way to express our emotions in order to be understood. There are two types of communication: verbal and non-verbal. Verbal communication is also a form of oral communication, it is the process of sending and receiving messages with words. Normally, speech is categorized under verbal communication. On the other hand, non-verbal communication is defined as conveying of messages other than speech or writing which includes sign language and body movement.

Now, let's focus more on speech because this the medium we always used to express our thoughts, opinions and emotions through spoken words. However, in some cases speech is not achieve because of speech pathology or also known as speech disorder.

What is speech pathology? It is the study of speech abnormalities and/or the organs of speech. It is also involve in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders which relates to speech, language, swallowing, fluency, voice and communication. What are the causes of speech pathology? This includes hearing disorders or deafness, voice problems, stuttering, developmental disabilities, autism, and stroke. We will dissect each cause of speech pathology to understand more why they cause speech disorder.

• Hearing disorder and deafness. A deaf person does not have the capability to hear sound at all. If sound is not perceive so with spoken words or uttered sound. On the other hand, hearing disorder means difficulty in hearing and understanding spoken words. Most commonly for hearing impaired individuals, use of hearing aid in order to assist them in understanding spoken words.
• Voice problems. Voice is very essential for us when we speak. Did you ever noticed that if you experienced sore throat, pharyngitis or laryngitis, often times you will have a difficulty to make a sound and voice will not come out from your mouth. Most of these disorders are treatable.
• Stuttering. This is a disorder that affects the normal flow of speech. It is affected by repeated or prolonged sounds, syllables or words.
• Developmental disabilities are birth defects that causes a lifelong problems with how body part or a system works. This is also a genetic condition that is often attributed to mental retardation. Mostly these disabilities affects speech.
• Autism. This is a disorder that affects children. They are often described as " special child usually confides in their own old". Children with autism have a difficulty to communicate and interact socially.
• Stroke. This is a medical emergency that affects the human brain were sudden confusion, trouble or inability to speak and understanding of speech is a common symptom of this condition.

In some cases, speech pathology or disorders are genetic and cause is unknown. Five percent of children entering first grade have noticeable speech disorders but mostly they can be treated with help of speech pathologist or speech therapist.

Edward Hicks enjoys writing for Uniformhaven.com which sells urbane scrub pants and landau 8320 as well as a host of additional products.

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Therapy For Autism Options Are Diverse and Careful Consideration of Each is Important

There are so many diverse autism therapies to choose from that one must carefully identify the needs of the child before choosing which one, or set of therapies, are best. Unfortunately there are also many ideas out there from overwrought parents and well meaning but unqualified therapists that some of the options available are either not safe or not proven to benefit the autistic child.

The feeling amongst educators of autistic children is that early intervention programs must focus on behavioral and cognitive abilities that are disrupted by having autism. Special needs education programs that can focus on these areas of need, with an early start, can assist autistic children to learn, maybe even be taught to speak. As adults their education must continue, but now some researchers are talking about using antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs to assist with the daily living of these adults. Others feel that these drugs as therapy for autism will do no good and may cause harm.

Studies have shown that using computers to teach autistic children has made many breakthroughs. Computers allow the child to learn without having to be forced into social situations. The computers stimulate the child without overloading them. They have no need to attempt conversation while comfortably learning at the computer. They can control their situations and this is very pleasing to them and makes learning easier for the autistic child.

For children who are severely affected with autism Multisensory Stimulation has had some positive results. They allow gentle stimulation by use of soothing colors, gentle sounds, music and scents. This is all done in a controlled setting so that the child does not suffer an overload. This therapy for autism is more popular in Europe, especially in Germany.

A still experimental therapy is Neurofeedback. In this there are electrodes put on the child's scalp. This is to help the autistic child learn to control their brainwaves. A recent pilot study involved eight children. After ten weeks of his treatment five of the children improved when asked to perform tasks that included imitation. This was considered highly successful.

Other children are put into therapies that include restrictive diets or a program to purge the body of toxins. These are referred to as biomedical interventions and are more experimental in nature. Many researchers believe that these are risky therapies and worry that they are tried by desperate parents who may involve their child in something that has not yet been proven to truly have any benefits.

If you think that there is "something not right" with your child you must find out as soon as possible if autism is the issue. Treatments are less effective with each passing day as we grow older, so find out now with the complete autism resource for determining symptoms and goes into depth about ALL treatment options for autism, natural AND medical. So do your family a favor and check out the information at Autism Symptoms

You can also make extra money to help pay for treatment and training by telling people about this helpful resource. You earn $26.30 for each book sold, so start making money by clicking Autism Symptoms Affiliates

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Autism - The Best Autism Treatment Options

Autism is a dreadful disorder, which affects an individual's ability to communicate and associate with others. Generally the symptoms are detected in the first three years of the child's life. In the United States, 1 in 166 people are affected by this disease. Although information about autism is scarce, some non-profit organizations have dedicated themselves to increasing the quality of the research in autism in order to bring out new treatments of autism.

Low levels of vitamins and minerals like calcium, folic acid, iron, magnesium and chromium continue to be the main attributed causes for the autism in children. It has been widely accepted that children suffering from autism who are treated with multivitamin/ mineral nutrient supplements show marginal improvement. Introduction of these nutrient supplements into the diet of autism-affected children contributes a lot in the improvement of the stage that includes high scholastic test scores, early neurological development, and scholastic test scores.

The autism-affected children treated with nutritional supplements showed improved learning abilities, experience cognitive, academic and substantial behavioral gains. In most cases, the follow-up research showed positive feedback from parents of the autism-affected children after treatment with nutrient supplements of Vitamin-B6 and Vitamin-c, Magnesium, Niacin, and dimethylglycine.

Innovative and Alternative Therapies for the Treatment Of Autism

The innovative therapy found to be most useful in treating autism is oral secretin. This should be given three times a day along with supportive therapy of vitamins. Most patients reported that they noticed a change in behavior within the first three days. Improvement in their social skills was also noticed. The overall cost of secretin and vitamins may come to $60 which should be continued for two days and the vitamin supplements may be followed as long as possible.

The other possible innovative treatments for autism lies with stem cell therapy (where one's own cell from bone marrow is used), live cell therapy (live cells extracted from the animal being administered to the patients), oral organ extracts (administration of gut cells or brain cells for maximum effect in the autism affected children), and Lyophilisate extracts (Lyophilisate whole cells from Cytobiopharmica are being used for the treatment of autism sufferers).

The use of the antibiotic vanomycin being extensively studied since it is absorbed in the gut. The anti-protozoan drug, Metronidazole, also holds hope in treating autism since it is absorbed in the intestine and prevent diarrhea, which is the most affected symptoms of autism.

Naltrexone, a modern medicine played an important role in autism by blocking the substance endorphins, which produces an anesthetic like feeling. Use of Naltrexone for the autistic individual provides renowned result with improvements in increased eye contact, normalized pain sensitivity, general happiness, and reduced stereotypic and self-injury behaviors. The appetite is also improved among the autism sufferers after the treatment of Naltrexone. The side effects of this drug on the autism patient are also being studied and found to be nil so far.

You should consult your primary care physician for further advice on the latest autism treatments.

Rachel Evans writes a Free Autism Newsletter. Join For free Here: please visit Free Autism Newsletter To understand the autism symptom checklist or for more on autism therapy

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Modern Day Therapies to Autism

But the thing that you don't realize is that these children do not want your sympathies but they want your support. Autism is a sort of brain disorder, it affects their neurological system, it does not make them mental or insane. Autistic children are even more creative than normal kids most of the time. They are unable to express their emotions and feelings it just does not mean that they are emotionless. They have a lot of feelings like worry, love, affection, fear etc but they are not able to emote as well as you do.

These kids need special care, love and affection from their family and also the society. Still there are many people in the society that see these Autistic children as threats. If your child is Autistic then you must give him some Autistic therapies so that he can be one with the society. There are different types of Autistic therapies that are offered by various health institutions that will really help your Autistic children to improve themselves. Some of these therapies are like behavior modification, communication therapies, and developmental therapies. These therapies help your child learn how to cope up with the society.

The other way to help your Autistic child is by an Autistic therapy known as play therapy. As Autism affects children who are as young as two or three years old, it is important to see to that these children are taught through this method which will enable them to learn while playing. Communication to such children is really important. You could communicate with them through pictures and other visual aids. This would help them understand what you are telling better. Social stories along with love and care also will do great wonders with your autistic child who needs your support.

Hope Autism Service offer Autism Therapy & Autism Treatment for brain disorder that typically appears during a child's first three years and lasts throughout a person's lifetime.

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Behavioral Therapy For Autism

Behavioral therapy for autism has a high chance of success. In this type of treatment, appropriate behavior is rewarded while inappropriate behavior is ignored. The success rate increases if the therapy is started when your child is still young; that is usually before he turns 3-years-old.

You would probably have discovered that your autistic child will challenge your parenting skills with their extremes of behavior. Extremes of behavior would include such things as temper tantrums, self injurious behavior, aggression and agitation. Essentially, he is dictating to you what he wants and his preferences. If he does not get what he wants, you are made to suffer the consequences. Rather than giving in, you should in fact learn how to teach your child a more appropriate way in which to get what he wants.

This is where a consistent program of behavioral modification will work very well. It will not only help you to cope with your child's behaviors but it will also teach your child more socially appropriate behaviors. Such a program must consist of 4 components: a structured daily routine; behavioral control; communication; and applied behavioral analysis.

You should instill a structured daily routine as your autistic child can then know what to expect. Autistic children do not usually cope well with inconsistency or change. Therefore, sticking to a daily routine is important as much as possible.

The next thing that a parent must learn is how to control tantrums and other such behavioral issues. In doing so there are 3 factors to bear in mind:

1. Those behaviors that are dangerous to the child or those around him must be dealt with first. These behaviors need to immediately be stopped with firm words and actions. Try not to show your child any anger while doing this though.

2. Autistic children need to be taught how to sit. The best way in which to do this is to reward appropriate sitting behavior while either ignoring or giving a negative consequence for inappropriate sitting behavior.

3. Autistic children tend to have bizarre, stereotypical, repetitive behaviors. The most obvious of these are finger flapping and rocking. These can be very distracting and thus a firm "stop" command is suggested for use. Next direct your child to another activity that will not allow him to continue these behaviors.

It is important that you talk to your child regularly. Whenever you are talking to an autistic child you need to be both simple and direct. You need to use short, clear sentences without going into explanations or using too many words. So, instead of telling your child, "Come here so that I can fix your pants and tuck in your shirt because you need to look nice" simply tell him, "Come here now." This is an easy command to process as you want to avoid confusing him.

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is a form of behavioral therapy that is popular. This involves breaking down tasks into individual components. Then, whenever a child successfully completes each step of the task he should be rewarded. It is believed that this form of therapy has a 47% success rate. It is important to note that ABA is not the only behavioral approach to treating autism nor is it a cure for autism. But it is a therapy that should be explored as one of your many options to helping your autistic child.

Sandra Kim Leong shares about autism diet [http://www.autismdietplan.com] and other therapies for children with learning disabilities. She draws on her experience as a mother to an autistic child. To read her posts, please visit [http://www.autismdietplan.com]

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Is a Gluten and Casein-Free Diet an Answer to Autism or ADHD?

A gluten- and casein-free diet is as much of an answer to autism and ADHD as a band-aid that is soaked in antiseptic, and blood-clotting solution is an answer to a bullet that causes infection and bleeding in the body.
So, if one looks at some symptomatic improvement in both situations, autism and the bullet, and is happy to report it, there is nothing wrong with this, per se. However, if one assumes, in the process, that something of essence has been accomplished in autism, ADHD or in the overall health of this child, one has made the wrong assumption. The distributors of this and other diets often convey an impression that there is something fundamental or genetically sinister about these proteins - gluten and casein or other foods such as soy, corn, etc. - and, therefore, these and other diets are presented as some big answers to autism and chronic diseases. As "proof" to this, autism and other diseases do seem aggravated by allergic foods. However, in spite of the fact that these aggravations are formally correct, such an approach to chronic diseases is wrong because it confuses the trigger and the cause of disease. In practically 100% of all cases with allergens triggering any chronic disease, allergens are never the cause of autism or any other disease. Furthermore, the preoccupation with allergens detracts from the search for the 'bullets' - the true causes of disease - which by remaining in the body will inevitably continue causing further damage and destruction and, thus, leading to more advanced and more diseases.That is why avoiding triggers leads to neither substantial nor long-lasting progress. And that is why once the diet is broken, even if on few occasions, whichever the symptoms that seemed to have been subdued in autism and other diseases rebound viciously. In addition, even if the diets are maintained religiously, new triggers find their victim, anyway. That is why I have seen multitudes of patients who started out with excluding just 3-4 allergic foods from their diets and who have subsequently ended up becoming allergic to so many foods that they were down to only 3-4 foods, total. That is because that the bullets or the causes of allergies have remained in the body and kept eating it away as the disease and overall health worsened. So, the bottom line is don't chase triggers, but pursue the bullets, instead.
What are these bullets in the case of gluten and casein in autism or in all food allergies, in general, and how to and how not to go about identifying and addressing these?
These "bullets" are primarily toxicological agents such as mercury, lead, methylmercury, pesticides and a few others as well as gastrointestinal infections such as parasitic, yeast, and, sometimes, bacterial infections also. The best way to misdiagnose these is to do exactly what most of the alternative practitioners do - that is, to order blood, stool and other lab tests. (Conventional doctors are even out of the equation here because they act as if their patients are immune to these toxicants or infections and that is why they hardly ever look for these.)
The main reason why blood, stool and other lab tests are unreliable is because their detection ability is very low. And even if a blood test confirms allergy to gluten or casein it is not worth subjecting your child to being stuck with needles because the blood test, even if positive, cannot tell what symptoms these or other foods or nonfood allergens will or will not trigger. This, one can establish simply by avoidance or observation.
As far as stool is concerned for gastrointestinal infections, in order for these tests to be positive, a sufficient and large number of infectious organisms or parasitic eggs must show up in the specimen on the day of collection. This rarely happens because these infectious agents may not be present in sufficient numbers on the intestinal surface itself but burrow inside it where they become undetectable to stool tests. And even if stool or lab tests catch one or two infections this does not mean that the tests did not overlook other infectious agents at the same time. It is often, that these other infections are the ones which cause most of the allergies and the notorious leaky gut which are commonly present in autism and other chronic diseases.
Of course, this is not anything that a diagnostic lab will share readily with a doctor or a doctor with you. As a result, most of the time, the lab tests end up misleading instead of leading. This, as many other important facts in medicine remains "classified", i.e., not for patients' ears. Besides, even if and when these infections become partially detected, the pharmaceutical treatments for these with using drugs or "natural treatments" can often be worse than the infections themselves. The reason for this we explain in the DVD, Autism -A curable disease that also explains why any chronic infections remain incurable whether in autism or Lyme disease or other as long as toxicological and other agents mentioned in the DVD continue causing the state of immuno suppression in the body. Concerning heavy metals and other toxicants, both lab and chelators/detoxifiers are not capable of properly addressing these either. Instead, the chelators can cause unpredictable and even worse toxic effects than the metals themselves. This is also reflected in the DVD, Autism - A curable disease and in my article Chelators of Mercury, Lead and Other Heavy Metals: Theoretical Benefits, Suboptimal Results and Real Dangers. The Implications for Autism, Other Brain- and Somatic Diseases. (This article, even in spite of being supported by scientific references, has been rejected for publication by several alternative medical peer review journals. Certainly, it flies in the face of their editorial staff which tries to dress up the store window of alternative medicine as "natural", "progressive" and harmless. The reader may also find the DVD, The power of missing knowledge: An explanation for the failures of conventional and alternative medicine in chronic and degenerative diseases. An introduction to FCT as very edifying as it explains why terminology as "natural", "progressive" or "harmless" belongs rather to the territory of fairy tales or naive assumptions, rather than to the real facts or factual science.)
The main diagnostic tool that I use and that overcomes all of the lab hurdles and omissions is - bioresonance testing. This noninvasive test that is capable of tuning into gastrointestinal and any other organs energetically and completely pain free is ideal for children and adults, also. This is particularly the case for children with autism who have been through the proverbial mills of tests.
Homeopathic treatment that begins with the removal of the immunosuppressive agents and residues of antibiotics or side-effects of vaccines, the necessary requirements without which all infections are doomed to chronicity, treats these infections very effectively. As the rule, "genetic" gluten and casein and other food allergies disappear. Following the treatment course, children or adults consume formerly allergic foods without untoward reactions.

For more details and viewing presentations of cured children from autism go to Autism - A curable disease.

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