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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Some Basic Facts About Autism and Related Developmental Delays

Autism disorders affect children as early as six months of age and are apparent by seven years of age. Children with autism experience the world differently than the rest of us. They see things differently. They learn things differently. They will even communicate differently. It is especially important to understand this. These children are often ostracized within the community because most people just don't understand what they are experiencing. These children are not sick, they are not less intelligent than the rest of us, but they are simply different.

These disorders involve trouble dealing with social situations and interacting on a social level. However, this is the main symptom of autism present themselves in pair or groups, this is the determinant for diagnosing the difference in most cases. Even children diagnosed with autism present the disorder differently. Children with developmental delays and autism related syndrome simply lack the ingrained intuition needed in social situations. They are unable to read body language, emotional cues, as well as environmental ones. They dislike changes in their routine and this can present them as stubborn and willful, argumentative and unmanageable. This is where patience from their parents and teacher becomes a mandatory part of their life.

If diagnosed young, children with autism can be taught the necessary skills needed in dealing with everyday life. Keep in mind that they are never going to handle it the way other people do and depending on the severity of their symptoms, they may always need a caregiver of some sort. Still, the goal is to help such children deal with their life, learning experiences. It is equally important for people surrounding them be as comfortably and well-adjusted as possible. Placing them in an educational environment specifically geared towards children with autism and other developmental disorders is the first step in this helpful therapy.

Children with these disorders need to feel that they are still loved. Even if they don't show affection in the normal way, compassion, nurturing, and love is still felt and the lack of such emotional contact can leave the child feeling even more anti-social, depressed, and lonely. This is dangerous to any child's well-being and especially that of a child with autism. Due to certain physical characteristics such as odd facial expressions, children with this disorder are often bullied and picked on by other kids their age. So, while it is necessary for such children to interaction with people and children in social situations, it may be beneficial for most of their time to be spent in an environment of understanding and acceptance.

The world needs to be taught a few things as well, not just these children. We need to begin to see them as a part of our society not as a stigma. Parents should be teaching their children the values of acceptance, patience, kindness and compassion for those different than themselves. It takes the cooperation of both sides to achieve peace.

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 Autistic Children

If your child has been diagnosed with autism you are not alone. Nearly one in every one hundred and ten children are diagnosed with autism. That makes autism more common than juvenile diabetes, pediatric AIDS, and childhood cancers combined all together. Every year, this rate goes up 10%-17%.

Boys are more likely than girls are to have autism. However, there is no known cause at this time but there are some facts that are known. No two children have the same symptoms. There is no set pattern to explain why some children have it and some do not. Possibilities of the cause are believed to be the time of exposure, the environment in which the child lives, and genetics.

The symptoms of autism is displayed in three areas; social interaction, language, and behavior. When a child has a severe case of autism they are not able to interact or communicate with others at all.

Social Skill Symptoms:

The child may have poor eye contact, fails to respond to their name when called, appears as though they cannot hear you talking to them, doesn't want to be cuddled or held, doesn't respond to others feelings, and prefers to play alone.

Language Symptoms:

The child doesn't talk after the age of two, shows signs of developmental delays after thirty months, stops talking and loses what speech they already learned, doesn't make any eye contact when making a request to you, when he speaks it is with an abdominal tone - with no elevation in his voice, doesn't start a conversation and cannot keep one going, may report certain words or phrases but cannot use them in a sentence.

Behavior Symptoms:

Performs repetitive movements such as rocking back and forth, develops a certain routine or ritual, gets upset if there is a change in his routine, moves constantly, fascinated by the parts of an object, and sensitive to light and sound.

Watch for signs as your baby develops. If you notice anything different or if you notice that they started developing normal but now they don't seem to be progressing, call your doctor. It may not be anything to worry about but you won't know until you call. Since there are not definite signs of autism doctors learn about it through a series of tests that are both physical and developmental. Once you get the results in you and your doctor can go over the results. After your child has been diagnosed with autism you will need to learn how you can best handle it. There are two types of autism low functioning and high functioning. If a child is diagnosed with low functioning they will require support and assistance from now on. However if a child is high functioning they will be able to live on their own and care for themselves.

As you begin to read books, newspapers, or read articles online you will see the increased number of autistic children and how their families have turned things around and made the most from their child's diagnoses. Autism is something that will touch the lives of everyone because it is growing so quickly. Until there is a reason for it or until there is a cure, if a child is diagnosed with parents can support their child and they need to get support too.

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

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