Showing posts with label signs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label signs. Show all posts

Monday, February 27, 2012

Learn More About Autism in Babies - Signs and Symptoms

Autism is only one of the five Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). It is a neurological disorder that impairs the development of a child. It affects the social and communication skills of the child as well as his or her activities and interests. Parents must be able to recognize as early as possible the early signs of autism in babies. Signs may vary in severity and symptom in every child and in every type of ASD.

Here are the five different Autism Spectrum Disorders:

Classic Autism
Asperger Syndrome
Rett Syndrome
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Recognizing which spectrum your child belongs is very important in your endeavor in helping your child and treating him or her. You do not have to be an expert about autism in babies. Signs must be recognized and you must understand the effects, and know what to do about it.

Children with ASD are affected differently, with unique challenges, symptoms, and abilities. The level of disability and the combination of symptoms vary from one child to another. This is what makes ASD difficult to deal with - its diversity.

Here are the red flags of autism in babies - Signs and Symptoms:

Social interaction - Do not make eye contact. They prefer to be alone. Do not want to be touched, hugged, or cuddled and they line up toys or other objects such as cans or water bottles. Do not smile or respond when played.

Communication skills - In most cases, the loss of speech or the delay in its development is the biggest red flag for autism in babies. Signs such as not using single words upon reaching 16 months and two word phrases upon reaching 24 months are the most common in autism cases. Not babbling, pointing on things of interest, or similar gestures may also be apparent.

Repetitive movements - Unusual sensory interest or unusual body movement such as repetitive tapping and flapping can be observed. Stereotype interest is also common like eating the same food and adherence to specific routines or rituals.

It is important to remember that no one sign automatically means autism in babies. Signs must be convincing or evident and it must be the combination of several signs or all of it that must make you concern. If you suspect your child to be autistic or if he exhibits the signs and symptoms, he must be brought to his pediatrician immediately for evaluation.

Also, a child with ASD will develop differently from others. Children may be able to walk early and talk later or vice versa. Or talk early but have trouble with basic motor skills such as walking and running.

There are still a lot of things that we have to work on about autism in babies. Signs of autism become apparent usually before the child is 3 years old. But the thing is that the child is usually diagnosed only upon reaching 4 years.

In most cases, parents report not noticing the early warning signs of autism until years later when they watched early home videos of their children. This is why it is very important for parents to observe carefully their babies in their development.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability and is now the third most common childhood disorder. Parents should educate themselves about the disorder to give their child a brighter future. Understanding more about the different autism spectrum disorders will help you understand the condition of your child. Visit AUTISM IN BABIES and learn more about the top 3 books online about autism.

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


Sunday, January 8, 2012

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Autism in Children?

It would seem that the numbers of children diagnosed with autism is going up all the time. This might be because the higher functioning types of autism are just now being diagnosed and understood. Many children who were once labeled as shy and awkward are now being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. The lower functioning types of autism are easier to spot, and they are often not hard to diagnose. A parent that knows more about the symtoms of autism in children will have an easier time deciding if their child needs evaluation or not.

Social Issues: One thing that seems to plague all children with autism is social awkwardness and problems interacting with peers. They don't seem to be able to relate to anyone, have problems with eye contact, and tend to show signs of agitation rather easily. They also seem to prefer to play alone rather than rise to the challenge of making friends. They tend to show no emotional reaction to anything or anyone, and shy away from group activities.

Communicating: Those with autism might start out talking fine, but then regress later. Others have good communication skills. Some do not communicate with spoken words at all. Those with classic autism often use gestures rather than saying words, will repeat words and phrases that they do know, and often use odd phrases that rhyme over and over again.

Stimulus Response: One of the symptoms of autism is a lack of response to many things that others respond to right away. This is something that is often very obvious. They either respond in an inappropriate manner or not at all. Some will not respond to noises or stimulus in any way, which scares parents. Others might be overly sensitive to touch, sound, and even the feeling of clothing on their skin. They may also get lost in patterns and explore with rubbing and licking.

Atypical Behavior: Another of the common symptoms of autism in children is problematic behavior. This might include being completely passive, or being extremely and sometimes violently aggressive. These children often have tantrums. These tantrums might come with the slightest upset in normal routine. These children may be first diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder because they lack any type of attention span. They also demonstrate many repetitive movements, and seem to focus on one thing for a very long time.

Playtime: Though children with autism do play some, they often play on their own. The want to play with other children in many cases, but lack the social skills to maintain or even form friendships. This brings anxiety, and pushes them to play on their own where they feel safe. They may show repetition in play, and might be so focused on something that there seems to be nothing that will drag their attention away from what they are doing.

Though these symptoms of autism in children are often quite obvious, there are some children who hide these well, or function so well in most cases that one symptom might be mistakenly thought to be a different problem at first. If a parent suspects that there are any problems, and that they may have a child with autism, they want to get a diagnosis as quickly as possible. There are many great programs for children with autism. It is much easier on the parent, child, and entire family once a proper diagnosis can be reached.

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

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


Thursday, December 15, 2011

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!

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



Friday, November 25, 2011

Autism - Early Signs in Babies

The World Health Organization or (WHO) and American Psychological Association or (APA) recognize autism as a developmental disability resulting from disorders of the central human nervous system. Though the most apparent signs of autism in children are visible at two or three years of age, parents should also be wary of symptoms of this disorder in their infants.

Though specific causes remain unproven, autism is usually judged to be caused by some of the following:

  • Genetic influences
  • Anatomical abnormality or variations (e.g. head circumference)
  • Abnormal blood vessel functions

According to the National Institute of Mental Health or ( NIMH ), some common early indicators for autism are when babies:

  • Don't ever babble or smile.
  • Never respond to gestures.
  • Avoid eye contact.
  • Seem to be hearing impaired at times.
  • Do not respond to calling by name.
  • Don't play with other children or toys.
  • Seem to be losing their scarcely developed language skills.

Autistic children fall off the charts when it comes to achieving basic developmental milestones. Generally, babies smile or react in some way when 'ooh-ed' and 'aah-ed' at. They tend to reach out to grab at pacifiers or crayons handed to them. Autistic children are unable to perform these simple actions.

Keeping in mind that autism usually isn't diagnosed until about age 3, it is best for parents to trust their instincts about their children and get a full formal developmental evaluation done by a medical expert. The earlier children are diagnosed for this disability, the better are their chances for treatment and intervention.

Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. He writes articles on parenting skills, parenting, pregnancy and dads, parenting tips, baby names, adopted child and many more topics related to dads.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P._Banas



Sunday, October 2, 2011

How To Identify The Signs Of Autism

Autism is a condition that occurs in early childhood. If the parents are well-informed and perceptive enough, they can easily be able to catch the signs of autism while they are only starting to show up in their child.

Unfortunately, most parents tend to miss out on some common symptoms of autism developing in their child, resulting in the problem getting worse, finally blowing out of all proportion. Aiming to help you to the extent possible, we bring you some points to note about this condition.

Here are some of the most common signs of autism:

Overly quiet

Some children with autism seem to be deceptively quiet and undemanding. Of course, there are also many normal children and those with above-average intelligence, who do not seem to demand much attention and generally take care of their own needs from a very early age. But if your child is over-quiet and simply withdraws into a corner at social events, you should know there is trouble brewing somewhere.

Disturbed social behavior

Most children get upset by huge crowds and parties teeming with noise and a high degree of activity. It is but common for children to feel stifled in that kind of an atmosphere. But if your child gets disturbed even among a small gathering of known people and starts acting cranky, like he cannot withstand the goings-on, you must identify this as a possible sign of troubled social behavior, that might lead to any one of the autism spectrum disorders.

Speech delay

One of the most common signs of autism setting in is when the child displays extreme speech delay or disorder. Autistic children are very slow at developing speech and in many cases, what they speak might not be too clear at all. Of course, there are many children who start speaking only after they are two, but if you feel there is a marked delay in your child's speech development, visit your pediatrician immediately.

Child's mental growth

The level of mental development varies from child to child. But if your child seems to be over-indulging in repetitive behavior or some other abnormal type of behavior for a child of his age, you should probably consider showing him to an expert.

Conclusion

Doctors are usually very reticent to quickly diagnose a slow child as one who suffers from autism. Some children are naturally slow developers. This happens especially if they have an elder sibling, who they know will 'take care of them'. Labeling children as autistic will merely restrict their natural growth in their formative years. In such cases, doctors prefer to observe the child and do nothing else.

This notwithstanding, it is always advisable for you, as a parent, to watch your child closely if you find him behaving in a strange, abnormal way. If you are sharp enough and manage to catch autism or its related disorders early enough, the treatment for the same can commence at the earliest.

Remember, the earlier the signs of autism are noticed and treated, the more the child will benefit from it.

Melissa Fox is a health professional very interested in Autism Symptoms. She enjoys writing inspirational articles for Real Living. To learn more about Signs of Autism please visit www.CausesOfAutism.org

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



Thursday, August 25, 2011

The 4 Early Autism Signs in Infants Every Parent Must Know

Autism is a brain development disorder which causes problems in social interaction, communication and the general behavior of the affected child. The early autism signs in infants start to appear as early as six months but typically infants are diagnosed only upon reaching 3 years old.

It is important for parents to be aware of the early autism signs in infants. Early identification is important so that interventions can be implemented and parents can also seek advice and help from experts and from autism organizations. Babies suspected to have the disorder should be observed further and must be checked by pediatricians or autism experts. Early intervention is important to the success of the different treatments for children with autism. This is the reason why it is best for parents to know the early autism signs in infants.

Here are the 4 early autism signs in infants every parent must know:

Unusual interaction with others
This is the most common of all the early autism signs in infants. Autism impairs the social development of a person. Hence, babies with autism have an unusual way of connecting with others. Upon reaching 6 months, normal infants can already interact with others. This is the period when they start smiling, pointing objects of interest, babbling, and making eye contact. On the other hand, autistic infants do not smile as much and have unusual gestures and facial expressions. It is also apparent that they look at other people differently. Their gaze tends to be brief and out of the corner of the eye. They also do not want to be cuddled as much even by their own parents and prefer to be alone than with other infants.

Have a repetitive and restricted behavior
Autistic persons have difficulty in adapting to changes. They like doing things the same way and eat the same type of foods for a long period of time. They also develop a fascination over a single object, toy, or pattern. It is also evident when they display strange repetitive movements. They like banging their head, rocking their body, and flapping their hands. Some of these movements can inflict self-injuries.

Lack of interest in the surroundings
Several studies conducted showed that babies with autism react differently when confronted with certain situations. When presented with a toy, they display less enthusiasm and less effort in grabbing it. Instead they become conscious and stare at the object differently. Other signs include not responding to one's name and are unaffected by audible changes in the environment. This is why autism is sometimes associated with hearing disorder.

Extremely irritable mood
Infants with autism often have difficulties controlling their emotions. They cry and get irritated a lot. Although they are disinterested in their surroundings, there are times when they easily get provoked even by the slightest sound. They also get irritated even if their parents are cuddling them or even if they are just playing alone.

If you observe most of the early autism signs in infants in your own child, it is best if you consult a pediatrician or an expert immediately. The effects of autism can be minimized by adopting early intervention programs.

Autism should not be a reason to burden your family. Although there is still no cure for autism, early detection can really make a big difference. Visit Early Autism Signs in Infants and learn more about its causes, symptoms, and how to handle it. Reviews on the top 3 books online about autism are also available.

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



Monday, August 15, 2011

Autism in Infants - Are There Signs and Symptoms of Autism to Watch For in Infants?

With the growing awareness and recognition of the Autism epidemic in our society, more and more people now know someone affected by this developmental disorder.

According to experts and recent research, Autism can be detected and diagnosed by a well-trained professional by the time a child reaches 18-months of age. It is very difficult to determine if a child younger than this age is showing signs of Autism.

There are, however, normal developmental milestones that parents can monitor to ensure their infants and toddlers are developing at a normal rate. It is important to note that just because an individual child does not meet one or more of these milestones it does not mean the child has autism or any other disorder. All children will develop at different rates. If your child does not meet these milestones and you feel something may be wrong, your best bet is to consult your family physician and get your child tested further.

There are three major areas where Autism will present itself in children. These areas are social skills, communication and behavior. Let us examine each.

Social Skills: Your child should begin imitating words or gestures such as hello and goodbye before 18-months. A child with Autism might not accomplish this developmental milestone and may not participate in social games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.

Behavior: Young children with autism will often develop repetitive motions. These are actions that the child repeats over and over. Some examples include flapping of the arms or repeated rocking from side to side. This is often referred to as stimming. Children with autism also often need to have routines. They need actions to be repeated in the same manor each time or each day.

Communication: About two out of five children with Autism do not talk. This is a major sign. Normally developing children typically start saying their first words around one-year of age. Many children with Autism will only repeat what is said to them, or will not speak at all. Some children start taking, then lose the ability or stop talking around 18-24 months.

As mentioned earlier in this article, it is important to remember that all children develop and different rates. If your child demonstrates one or more of these characteristics it does not mean your child has autism. It might mean that you need to discuss the subject with your family physician.

For more on Autism in Infants and young children and for other articles related to diagnosing autism, you should visit http://autismsymptomschecklist.org today!

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


Monday, August 8, 2011

Autism Signs And Symptoms - Language Problems

Learning to speak seems like an absolute miracle, but is actually a highly evolved and orchestrated skill pre-programmed into our developing brains. It is such an essential part of our existence, that it can be hard to imagine life without it. Try looking at or thinking about an object without using its name. Think about a time you were in a foreign country or in the presence of people who did not speak your language. You may have felt disconnected and uneasy as you tried to use your communication skills to no avail. Failure to speak is certainly the most easily recognizable and difficult aspect of autism or a related autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). It hinders our ability to easily teach our children about the world around them and about how to behave in that world. The most common early sign of autism in a toddler is slow or no language. Sometimes words will be learned and used for a while, but they are soon lost or used inappropriately. The brain is hungry to learn and use language, however, and depending on how compromised the language learning "center" is, this can manifest itself in some surprising ways.

Echolalia - the repetition or echoing of sounds made by another person, affects more than 75% of people with autism or an ASD. It often comes across as sophisticated speech out of nowhere, with long and intricate sentence structures. You might hear a familiar slogan or advertizing jingle (delayed echolalia), or get an exact recitation of the words you just spoke (immediate echolalia).

Scripting - Scripting is the repetition of long spoken passages that have been heard, and is very common in autism and ASDs. It is an extension of echolalia, but tends to be longer and less immediate. A typical script would be bits of dialogue from a favorite movie, TV show or cartoon. The scripts can be surprising long, and frequently the child will repeat the dialogue from all the characters, as if reading through the script.

A skilled speech pathologist will redirect echolalia and scripting towards true communication by listening carefully to the script and building communication around the subject matter. With some help from a speech pathologist and a heavy dose of patience, you too can learn the skill of redirection.

Scripting can be used to begin teaching communication and socialization skills. Having sure fire conversation scripts helps build the give-and-take skills of real communication. For example, a script for seeing someone for the first time would be to say "Hello, how are you today" or if you want to play with a toy you can say "I would like to play with that, may I have it when you are done?" The child may not fully understand the meaning of the script, but these phrases are a great way to provide a scaffold on which a conversation can be built.

As they get older, autistic children will often refer to themselves by name and have great difficulty with the proper use of pronouns like I, he, she, you, we, and they. They will also rarely ask you questions and will have a hard time asking or answering who, what, when, where, how, and especially why questions (collectively known as the "wh" questions). Older children with autism or an ASD will often fixate on their own narrow interests and speak without allowing their conversation partner to talk or not show interest in what others have to say.

There are many resources available to learn about treating autism. Some are very technical; others are too general to be of much immediate help, or are nothing more than a sales gimmick. Conquer Autism is a comprehensive and hands-on eBook written for parents and caregivers. It describes exactly how to determine your child's unique problems and how to design and implement effective treatments. It is guaranteed to help you and your child conquer the biochemical problems at the root of their ASD. However, this will be just one step of the battle.

Conquer Autism also reviews the essential clinical services your child will need to fully recover and techniques to cope with ASD at home and at school. Conquer Autism, and more information about effective treatments for Autism and ASD are available at http://www.conquerautism.com

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



Sunday, August 7, 2011

Understanding More About Early Signs of Autism

As with any illness, the faster it gets diagnosed, the better it is. Autism is a congenital ailment that is linked to poor communication, erratic behavior patterns and cognitive dysfunctions. Noticing the early signs of Autism will help treat or rather aid the child. There is no cure for Autism even in mild forms, but there are treatments that can help the person reduce the symptoms of autism.

As these signs are visible early, parents can notice any abnormal development or if the child is not keeping up with the peers. Slow learning, poor interactions are some of the early signs of Autism. It helps if the parents have the knowledge of what are early signs of Autism. Usually a child shows these signs starting as early as six months and is often noticeable by the age of 3 years.

Early Signs of Autism

When a baby is not smiling or interacting around six months, focuses closely for a long time on a toy, no babbling or grasping by a year old are just a few of the "red flags" to watch out for. Other symptoms or indications include using at least two words by 2 years, stares into space without acknowledging others and ignores others even when they speak to them. Parents might want to keep a diary of any abnormal signs of behavior they notice. They can take this with them to the physician to help discuss their concerns.

When a parent tells the physician they feel their child is showing signs that do not match a normal childhood development, there needs to be a diagnosis. Generally, the physician evaluates and goes through a diagnostic method with the child. It will involve a variety of tests for physical to visual reactions.

When a child is diagnosed early then they will have more time to be treated. With successful treatment and caring support, they will be able to deal with their autism symptoms. Some can be taught ways to handle things, taking medication and a change of diet. Often various treatments are tried to find the right measures for each individual. If someone has mild Autism, they can still live a life that is self sufficient. With proper therapies and special education, children with mild autism can cope with daily activities with little help.

Records show that eight in every thousand births results in Autism. Parents can be concerned for their child and that they might have Autism. Having knowledge of the early signs of Autism will help a parent determine if they feel their child is fine or needs help. Often knowledge helps people cope better while the awareness helps them understand the requirements of an autistic child. Although there are behavioral modification therapies and diet control, autism is not curable as it is considered to be a genetic aberration. However, if you are worried that your child showing poor social skills or late development as compared to other children, it might be a good idea to consult a pediatrician.

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

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



Friday, July 15, 2011

3 Signs Of Sensory Disorders In Your Autistic Child - When The World Just Doesn't Feel Right

Sensory disorders and autism are often found together. Some of the symptoms overlap or are a result of the other. Either way, in an autistic child whose living in his autistic world, it can become overwhelming to function daily as a result of sensory issues. Whether they experience issues with certain smells or textures of clothing, colours of food or loud noises, the world just seems to be too much too bear for this child. What are some signs to watch out for in your child? Well let's jump right in and see;

  • Touch hurts, or they shy away from it. Though it may be the smallest, most gentle touch to the average child, to your autistic child, that simple touch may feel like the whole world has just grabbed a hold of them.
  • Strong dislike of getting their hands dirty. Anything that dirties them slightly, like painting, paper mache or some foods sends them screaming and crying. For whatever reason, the texture of that mess is sensory overload.
  • Loud noises bring about screams of pain or fear. Well most children run to the window to see the fire truck drive by sirens blaring, for the autistic child this is too much. They cover their ears and cry at the sounds.

These are just a few symptoms of sensory disorders that may be present in your little one. Whether it is smell, touch, taste, hearing or sight, things are just a little off in their autistic world and you as a parent need to try to understand what triggers they have and how best to avoid them to help your child live happy and without sensory overload.

To help your children deal with sensory disorders and autism make sure you click here.

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


Sunday, July 3, 2011

Are You Concerned That Your Child Has Autism? 22 Signs and Symptoms of Autism to Look Out.

How Do YOU know if YOUR Child has Autism? Are you worried that YOUR child may have Autism?

Would you like to Learn to spot the Signs and Symptoms of Autism to look out for?

My background

I am a mother who has an autistic child who was diagnosed when he was just two and a half years old. So this is written from a real person with first hand practical experience of dealing with Autism. It is an article written by an experienced person not a Ghost Writer writing about Autism!
Want to learn more?

Here are just 22 Signs and Symptoms of Autism to look out for. Most of these signs and symptoms were displayed by my Autistic Son. The list is not exhaustive.

Just a few of these symptoms will give you the knowledge to determine whether Your child may have Autism or is showing signs of Autism.

22 Signs and Symptoms of Autism

1 Difficulty in expressing needs
2 Little or no smiling
3 At 1 year: no babbling, no pointing or these have stopped
4 At 16 months: no words or words have disappeared
5 At 2 years: no phrases or phrases have dropped
6 Prefers to be alone; aloof manner
7 Displays odd play such as playing with doors, fixated with spinning objects, stacking toys, lining up toys or more focused on part of a toy
8 Your child likes playing on their own - solitary play
9 Repetitive behaviour
10 Repeating words or phrases in place of normal responsive language. Even echolalia
11 Laughing or showing distress for reasons not apparent to others
12 Unexplainable excessive crying
13 Aggression which is unexplained
14 Little or no eye contact
15 Not using age appropriate words to communicate
16 Enjoys movement and is calmer when rocking, swinging or jumping or shaking body or head
17 Over sensitive to certain sounds such as vacuum cleaner sounds, dog barking, lawnmower
18 Self injurious behaviour such as head banging may be present
19 Flapping hands, tiptoeing or biting
20 Resisting change to set routines
21 Delay in spoken language
22 Completely indifferent to others feelings

Remember that no one single thing alone means autism. Autism is notable by a pattern of symptoms rather than any one single symptom. The main features of autism are impairments in communication, restricted interests with repetitive behaviour as well as social interaction difficulties.

Just becoming aware of the early signs of autism in a child AND seeking advice as soon as possible. Guidance from a Pediatrician is the first step, if you are worried that your child is displaying the signs and symptoms.
Early intervention is better the sooner it is received than later. Your primary concern is to get your child checked and ensure that help is given to support your child whether the child is Autistic or not. He may just have learning difficulties in some cases and it is still wise that early intervention will change both your outlook and your child's outlook.

This is Part 2 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 and to bring my child up in a world where Autism is truly understood and is accepted.

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



Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Signs Of Autism In Infants

Detecting autism spectrum disorder at an early age is vital to the care of the disorder. The earlier it is diagnosed, the better chance the child has of making improvements after receiving autism care. Signs of autism and the symptoms associated with it vary widely and thus this condition is now termed autism spectrum disorder to account for its varying manifestations. Doctors and specialists continue to differ on what they believe causes autism and how it can best be treated. However, there is no debate on the fact that finding and receiving treatment for autism in its early stages is essential. This is because the younger the child, the more plasticity in their brain, thus allowing treatment to rewire connections.

There are various warning signs for autism in infants, but no one factor is deemed essential. Generally, all children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are found to have difficulty in three areas. First is communication. Children who have trouble with verbal and non-verbal actions such as babbling or pointing are seen to be at risk for autism. Another common symptom is if the child has difficulty relating to other individuals in terms of active social play. The third area is difficulty with reacting to people, events, and tones of voice. If a child does not smile when their mother smiles at them, they could be at risk for autism.

Parents of infants should also be on the lookout for developmental delays. If a child does not meet the standard milestones at the correct times they could be at a heightened risk for having autism. This does not mean that if a child fails to talk at the appropriate age that they are diagnosed with autism, but that they may be at risk because failing to speak is a potential sign.

A serious warning sign and one that should be evaluating immediately is if your infant regresses in any skills sets or milestones that they have reached. This includes regression in speech, where at one point the child was making out words such as "mummy" and "daddy" but now they fail to pronounce such words. Additionally, if a child was involved in activities which involve other people such as peek-a-boo and now the child does not participate in such activities, this could be a significant warning sign and the child should be evaluated by a health care professional immediately.

Additional early symptoms to watch out for include absence of typical behaviour. These include infants that do not smile or respond to a familiar voice. Infants that fail to follow objects in front of them or those that do not reach out to be picked up. By nine months, infants should be able to react to sounds and facial expressions and if they are lacking in this ability it may be a sign of autism. By twelve months, babies should respond to their name and be actively involved in their environment both with communicating verbally and with pointing and gestures.

Autism spectrum disorder is a unique condition where signs and symptoms can mean various things. An infant not talking may just mean that they have not reached that milestone and it is not a determination that they are autistic. It is important that all concerns are discussed with medical professional who can diagnose and recommend the best autism care.


For more information please visit Autism Care



Thursday, May 20, 2010

Autism in Babies - Signs That Your Baby is Autistic

Several years ago, autism can only be recognized in children as early as 18 to 24 months of age. But today, after several studies and observations, we can now recognize the earlier signs of autism in babies. Signs include having an unusual eye contact, peculiarities of hearing, and social development and play.

The word "autism" is derived from the Greek word "autos" which means "self", and it affects the way children view others in relation to themselves. This is why autistic children can be best described as "having their own world". They want to play and be alone, do not want to be touched or hugged, and have problems interacting with others.

Autism is a pervasive disorder which affects multiple areas of functioning. ASD affects children differently - in their cognitive ability, in their IQ, in developing communications skills, in their relationship with others even with their own parents, and so many more.

Although there are still debates about the causes of autism, experts believe that the earlier autistic children receive treatment, the better the outcome is likely to be. Early intervention makes a huge difference in the battle against autism in babies. Signs of autism must be carefully observed and seek immediate help if you spot them in your child. Instead of playing the wait-and-see game, parents must be vigilant in observing the development of their child. This will greatly contribute in enhancing the quality of life of children.

Researchers and experts are now claiming that they can recognize autism as young as 6 months old or even earlier in some cases. The good thing about this is that new and earlier treatment for autism can then be developed and it can make a huge difference in the child's future.

Here are the red flags of autism in babies - signs that your baby is autistic:

Eye Contact - Having an unusual gaze or in making an eye contact is a very common sing of autism in babies. Signs of disinterest with other people and the environment can also be observed.

Hearing - Autistic babies respond less when called upon compared to normal developing babies. They are also not affected by any audible changes in the surroundings. Hence, most autistic babies are initially suspected of being deaf.

Social Development and Play - Autistic babies may show lack of interest in the types of play that other infants enjoy, even those which involve social interaction with the parents.

Because these early signs can vary in severity and symptoms, they may go unrecognized. Therefore, parents must be careful in observing the behavior of autism in babies. Signs of autism can also be a sign of other disorders.

Also, according to one research, a child who has an older brother or sister diagnosed with autism is more likely to be autistic as well. Parents may notice that their child's physical development is different from others. Having a larger than the normal head circumference is said to be an indication of autism in babies. Signs of having unusual facial expressions and gestures can also be noted.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability and is now the third most common childhood disorder. Parents should educate themselves about the disorder to give their child a brighter future. Understanding more about the different autism spectrum disorders will help you understand the condition of your child. Visit AUTISM IN BABIES and learn more about the top 3 books online about autism.

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

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Know the 5 Most Common Autism Signs - Infants Having Their Own World

Our knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is still in its infancy. There are still a lot of things that we need to understand more about autism in order to prevent it and fight it. Several years ago, infants were not known to possess or display any autism signs. Infants include children from birth to the ages of 12 and 24 months.

Experts and autism foundations are urging parents to observe their child for early autism signs. Infants are now known to display signs and symptoms to a certain extent. The earlier autism is detected, the better it is for the child. Programs and therapies can help an autistic child develop its language, social, and other skills affected by autism.

Here are the most common autism signs infants displays:

Difficulty in speaking

As autism affects the language skills, it is expected that the child will have trouble talking. This is the most common of all the autism signs. Infants that cannot produce single words upon reaching 16 months and two-word phrases by 24 months is likely to be autistic.

Do Not Respond to Their Own Name

Generally, infants about 9 months of age can recognize and respond to their own name. If you try to call out your baby's name and he or she does not respond or react on a regular basis, chances are high that he or she has autism. But this behavior does not automatically indicate that the child has the disorder because it could also mean that your baby has hearing disorder or other problems.

Do Not Babble and Point Upon Reaching 12 Months

Babbling is when an infant is experimenting with uttering sounds of language, but not making identifiable words. These are the "ba-ba-ba-ba" and "ma-ma-ma-ma" sounds that baby produce. Infants are also expected to be pointing at attractive objects and people upon reaching that age.

Have an Unusual Gaze and Do Not Smile

Generally, infants do not appear to see people or objects and so does not make eye contact, but in infants with autism, their gaze tends to be shorter and unusual. They also do not smile, interact with others, and lacks social skills. Try to compare how your child makes eye contact and other facial expressions with other infants in the same age.

Repetitive behaviors and Lining Up Things

This is very common of all the autism signs. Infants like doing things over and over again like opening and closing a door or picking up a thing and putting it back again. They also like to place objects in a straight line like their toys or bottles and cans.

Always remember that it is important to be careful in trying to interpret these autism signs. Infants may display these behaviors but are not autistic at all. It is possible that some of these signs are due to other disorders.

Upon noticing these early autism signs, infants must be evaluated immediately by their doctors or pediatricians. The earlier the child gets help, the better the outcome is likely to be.

If you suspect your infant is autistic, seek help immediately. Early intervention programs can significantly improve the development and behavior of your child. There are a lot of resources about autism. Visit Autism Signs - Infants and learn more about its causes, symptoms, and how to handle it. Reviews on the top 3 books online about autism are also available.

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