Categories of Autism Signs

Autism is a common psychological condition and neurological development disorder that typically affects a child's social communication and interaction skills as well as being characterized by repetitive or restrictive behavior. Autism alters or changes how the nerve cell synapses connect and organize, therefore affecting the information processing capabilities of the brain. Unfortunately, Autism research still has not discovered how and why this occurs.

Autism signs will typically manifest themselves in three critical areas of an individual's development - behavioral, lingual, and social. Interestingly enough, no two children are alike when it comes to actions and skill levels even when they are diagnosed with the same type of Autism. Though the real reasons is still not obvious how children with the same level of autism display different characterized behavior pattern but symptoms and autism signs differ. Maybe the family patterns of behavior, genetic factors and environmental issues lead to the differences. However, research is being conducted to know more about the inner working of an autistic individual.

Although the different patterns of behavior are broadly similar, they can be put together under three main headings of autism signs of behavior, development milestones and social patterns of behavior. Autistic children seem to be easily disturbed by the slightest change of their normal routine, tend to flap hands, rocking, spinning, and other repetitive movements, light, sound, and touch sensitivities despite seeming nearly oblivious to pain and are extremely restless.

Autistic signs are apparent in the emotional development of the children. Developmental milestones are delayed up to 2½ years. Most of these children do not start talking or make eye contact until 2 years of age. They have no concept of a conversation. Most of them repeat phrases and words without understanding their meaning. Robot-like speech or a sing-song voice when communicating is noticed. Sometimes children regress and there is noticeable loss of previously acquired abilities such as saying certain words or speaking in complete sentences.

However there are social signs and aspect which are visible such as appearing to be unaware of other children's or another individual's feelings, poor eye contact, resisting any form of affection such as cuddling, and hugs are not particularly enjoyed. They prefer to play by themselves.

However, most of these Autism signs are common ones that you want to look for if you suspect that your child is suffering with the disorder. The more severe cases involve the complete inability to communicate or interact with other individuals. Additionally, some signs appear as early as infancy, but in other children who appear to be normal during the first few months of their lives, suddenly change without warning.

Autism signs will typically appear between the time the child has reached the age of 18 months up until they reach three years of age. Additionally, there are two other forms of the disorder in the Autism spectrum, specifically Asperger syndrome Categories of Autism Signs and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified). The bottom line is that the genetics of Autism are extremely complex.

Though there is no cure of autism, research aspects are going on to find a cure but as most of the issues are genetic, the race is on. Children receiving the treatment and behavioral therapy early in life are finding a better chance of being rehabilitated.

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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Facts About Symptoms of Autism

The neural development disorder that are characterized by impaired communication, repetitive and restrictive behavior, and social interaction is known as Autism. Normally the symptoms of Autism or the disorder's warning signs begin before the child has reached three years of age. The disorder affects the processing of information in the brain because it changes how a person's nerve cells and their synapses connect with one another and then organize themselves. Unfortunately, the way in which this occurs is not understood.

In the Autism Spectrum, Autism is one of the three disorders that it covers. Asperger's Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) are the other two that are components of the spectrum. PDD-NOS is typically diagnosed when the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome or Autism are not present. Although the genetics involved in Autism are extremely complex in nature, it isn't clear as to whether or not Autism Spectrum Disorders are rare mutations or rare combinations of genetic variations.

In rare occurrences, the symptoms of Autism are strongly related to genetic agents that are responsible for birth defects. Additionally, there are numerous controversies that surround environmental issues including childhood vaccines, heavy metals, and pesticides. Interestingly enough, the hypothesis regarding the vaccine issue is biologically implausible and lacks any psychological or scientific evidence. In recent reports published by the CDC, they estimate that roughly 1 out of every 100 children have the symptoms of Autism.

Since the 1980's when Autism became a common concern of the medical and psychological communities, the increase in the number of diagnoses of the disorder have increased exponentially. Naturally, this is due in part to changes and updates where current diagnostic practices are concerned. However, whether or not it can be considered prevalent in US society is the source of numerous debates. What is known for sure is that parents typically notice the symptoms of Autism within the first two years of the child's life.

The symptoms of Autism will vary greatly from one individual to the next. However, there are specific core symptoms that every individual who is suffering with autism have in common. These include:

Limited interests in normal activities or the way in which they play - a need for an established routine, an unusual focus on certain objects or toys, and the preoccupation of specific topics or subject matter

Non-verbal and verbal communication - delay in or a lack of learning how to talk, difficulty understanding the perspective of those listening to them, problems engaging in meaningful conversation, and a repetitive or stereotyped use of language

Social interaction and relationships - failure to establish friendships or relationships with their peers; lack of empathy; lack of interest where sharing achievements, enjoyment, or interests with others is concerned

As a parent, you need to be compiling a list of any unusual behavior while observing your child on a regular basis if you are concerned that they are showing the symptoms of Autism mentioned above. In so doing, when you discuss these issues with your child's pediatrician, family physician, or are referred by either to a specialist to determine if Autism is present, this will help considerably.

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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The Role of Visual Memory in Communication

Memory is how we move thought from our fluid attention systems to our crystal knowledge. Visual memory is a very powerful and dynamic set of systems that equips the brain with enormous capabilities. How we organize memory determines how efficient we are at thinking, responding, communicating, and comprehending.

The role of memory is critical to understand when you have a child diagnosed with a Pervasive Development Disorder such as PDD-NOS, Autism or Asperger's Syndrome.

Many children diagnosed with PDD-NOS may have symptoms in language processing and communication because their highly visual thinking is interfering with the development of verbal skills. A child that is a highly visual thinker and has highly visual "brains" in the family tree can show as many as 50 specific symptoms in communication, attention and memory. I call this group of children "Maverick Minds."

Visual thinkers experience visually what they are thinking. They follow a visual pattern rather than verbal to negotiate the world. To verbal thinkers, their communications may seem like nonsensical rambling. In fact the communication is following a logical pattern but it is a visual rather than verbal pattern.

Visual people often use the brain's Associator to form memories. They learn of a new idea and they relate that idea to their own knowledge base. The opposite of the Associator is the Sequencer from the verbal pathway.

The Sequencer is rigid and ordering, one sound following another to make a word, words produced in specific order to form grammatically correct sentences and ideas linked in order to make paragraphs.

The Associator is time-independent and the Sequencer is very time based. Understanding consequences depends on a time based understanding of cause and effect.

Creating associations

Visual memory involves the brain function called the associator. The associator creates memory by linking concepts or ideas. An associator works optimally when it can complement the sequencer, but for Mavericks the associator can become the enemy or the antagonist of the sequencer. The associator can multi-task, leapfrog ahead conceptually, intuit solutions, see patterns and relationships readily, and manage an enormous workload effortlessly.

A simple example of the associator is the ideas that come to mind when you see a fire truck. This fire truck could make you think HOT, RED, FIRE, TOY, DALMATIAN, or 911. For Mavericks, associations are a constantly available and very user friendly thinking tool.

Visual memory is one of the four brain pillars that are essential for developing a symptom-free life for a Maverick child. Visual memory is the thinking powerhouse that is your child's greatest asset/liability. You use it not only to process and retain visual input but also as a mental refresher.

You can train your child's visual memory so that it becomes an asset rather than a liability. Visual memory can be harnessed by training the skills needed for immediate memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

Dr. Cheri Florance is a brain scientist with training and clinical experience in how to teach the brain to replace symptoms of communication and language disorders. In her books, Maverick Mind, and A Boy Beyond Reach she describes how she taught her own autistic son, Whitney to replace disability with ability and become symptom-free.

To learn more about creating a customized training plan for your Maverick Mind, visit us on the web at http://www.ebrainlabs.com or contact our office at 1-866-865-9820. We have helped many children who are visual thinkers move into verbal land.

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