Showing posts with label speech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label speech. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Aspergers Symptoms in Children 2012

Aspergers Syndrome - known as AS (and also called Asperger's) is a disorder that is included within the Autism Spectrum Disorder group. It was first diagnosed by an Austrian pediatrician named Hans Asperger, who noticed a group of symptoms within some of his young patients. The disorder itself as we know it was defined in 1981 and evolved until it was standardized in the early 1990s. Although most people are diagnosed with the disorder at age seven or eight - or older, Aspergers symptoms in children do appear at a much younger age - sometimes in kids in their first year of life.
There is a suspected genetic component to AS, although no solid causes have been identified. Likewise, there is no single treatment or cure for someone diagnosed with Asperger's - instead, the child (or adult) has the option to undergo behavioral therapy to minimize symptoms and to improve function. It works to address repetitive or obsessive routines, poor communication skills or abilities, and clumsiness. Fortunately, most kids appear to improve as they grow up, but in many cases, communication and social difficulties remain.
Aspergers symptoms in children may vary. Some kids show signs of the disorder at a very young age (under one year old) while some kids appear to be reaching developmental milestones as normal and then start to regress, usually around three. In other kids, symptoms appear in force around six or seven years of age. Each case is different, and the degree of severity of symptoms may affect whether the parents or caregivers notice there's a difference in their child.
Symptoms of Aspergers in children include deficits in physical coordination, communication, and development of varied interests. Typically, although not always, a child with AD will show lack of empathy, clumsiness, inadequate math skills, limited non-verbal communication, unusual speech, and obsessive interests. Younger kids, like toddlers (age one to four) may show advanced vocabulary, delayed pointing, delayed use of gestures, delayed potty training, limited eye contact, and preoccupation with a single topic. These toddlers often need a rigid routine and repetition in daily activities.
An infant may also show a group of symptoms that may mean the child has AD. Aspergers symptoms in children under the age of one include abnormal non-verbal communication, failure to reach certain milestones by age one, lack of social skills, obsession with complex topics, reflex abnormalities, and poor coordination. If you have noticed one or more of these signs in your child, mention it to your pediatrician. Although children are typically not diagnosed until older (around seven or eight), he or she may make a tentative diagnosis and you can begin treatment to help reduce your child's symptoms.
Register for your FREE webinar training now and discover the key to unlocking childhood Autism and Aspergers syndrome. autismininfants.org
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_P_Parker

Monday, January 23, 2012

How To Teach Children With Autism Speech and Language

Teaching an Autistic child speech and language can be difficult. Each child on the Autism spectrum can differ greatly with their learning abilities, however most seem to have difficulty grasping language and communication.

Here is a method my parents used to teach me to speak, read and eventually to write. My mum has also used this method successfully with other Autistic children that had no language or speech skills.

Before I was diagnosed with Autism, my parents thought I might have had a speech developmental delay, and so I was seeing a speech therapist when they suggested I get checked out for Autism, as in their opinion I was showing some classic traits of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders).

Not long after I was diagnosed with Autism my mum went to America to participate in the SON-RISE program. On her return they set up a therapy room and began intensive Early Intervention / ABA style work with me.

My dad put together a computer for use in the therapy room, as they noticed that at the special school I was attending a few days of the week, I really enjoyed interactive learning programs and looking at pictures on the computer. At that point they had an idea and dad started to make up some Flash Card style PowerPoint presentations I could view and interact with on the computer.

PowerPoint was a good way to make up interactive Flash Cards that he could add sound to. They found that by using pictures that I liked and adding colourful letters and words with the sound of their voices, I was really intrigued and wanted to look at the Flash Cards, so much so that I thrashed them.

The first set they made up were of the alphabet with each colourful letter popping up in succession along with the phonetic sound of the letter which my dad recorded. The interactive Flash Cards progressed onto words then stories. I absolutely loved them and that had a huge impact on my speech and language learning.

For most Autistic or ASD children and children with special learning needs this is a good way to teach them basic language skills, particularly the phonetic alphabet and how those sounds are used to create words.

Unlike videos and or classroom type learning, they can control the learning themselves by interacting, going back and forward as they need, with the Flash Cards with sound. It is also important to make the learning fun, and when they see pictures of things they like and you make them colourful with sounds and voices they recognise it makes them want to learn even more.

Just recently we converted some of the PowerPoint Interactive Flash Cards to the Adobe Flash Media format so they can be viewed on an internet browser. This makes them much easier to view on all computer platforms and easier to share.

So, in summary the Interactive Flash Cards with Sound can be made in a variety of ways either by using PowerPoint style software, including Open Office Impress or with Adobe Flash Media which has the advantage of being easier to share and completely cross platform.

To see a demonstration of the Interactive Flash Cards with Sound visit: http://isybeeautism.com/autism-teaching-aids/teach-children-with-autism-speech-language/

Hi, my name is Isabella, Isy for short. I was born in mid 1997 and was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.

My parents originally started Isabella's Autism Pages and Isybee Autism web pages to help other parents in similar circumstances, and to give recognition to other people and organisations who have helped them help me.

We hope to cover a lot of ground writing articles and providing information and resources for families and persons affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Please visit my website for more information and resources:

http://isybeeautism.com - Autism ASD ABA information and resources.

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


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Monday, December 12, 2011

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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Monday, October 17, 2011

How To Stop Echolalia In Autistic Children

Echolalia is a repetition of some form of dialogue that the Autistic child has heard. It can be repeated immediately or in can be repeated per verbatim at a later stage.
An example of immediate echolalia would be when someone asks the child "how are you?" and the child repeats "how are you?"
This can include complete dialogues that the Autistic child has heard from a conversation or a movie or radio broadcast.
It may not have a meaning to them at the time but they just repeat it.
Echolalia can be a little confusing when the child uses it all the time and then gets frustrated when people don't understand what they are trying to communicate.
An example of this would be if you asked the child what they wanted for lunch, a hamburger or a hotdog. An Autistic child with echolalia would say hotdog as it is the last thing they would have heard even if it was the hamburger they really wanted then they may get upset when presented with the hotdog.
Echolalia is being used by the child with Autism as a means of processing words and storing the words or complete dialogue for further use.
It increases their word bank and at times you may hear them practicing their dialogue using similar tones or inflections in speech as they heard it until they think that they got it right.
If careful attention is paid when listening to a child with echolalia, you may find that in their speech, there may be a link to what ever it is they are saying even in dialogue and what the situation is that is going on.
There are ways to stop or significantly decrease echolalia.
Present the Autistic child with two items, one that you know that they want, and one that you know they don't want.
When you offer the two items to the child, put the one that they don't want last.
For example, if you know that they like balls but they don't like puzzles, ask them "Do you want the ball or the puzzle?"
They will initially repeat "The puzzle".
At which point, hand the puzzle to them. They may get a little frustrated and make a grab for the ball and at that point you would repeat the question "Do you want the ball or the puzzle?"
As you ask, extend the ball towards them when you say ball and then extend the puzzle when you say puzzle.
After a couple or more times of this, the Autistic child with echolalia usually is starting to understand that they need to listen to what you are saying in order to get what they want.
Obviously you are going to start them out slowly and not make the requesting sentences too long or complicated as you just want them to get the idea that if they listen to your question and take the time to think about it, then answer by naming what it is they want, they will get what they desire.
Obviously your success in stopping the echolalia depends on the degree of Autism that they have but you should definitely be able to decrease it significantly in any case.
As time progresses this can be used for other more complex conversational situations and evoke more appropriate conversational responses from the autistic child with echolalia for questions such as how are you and what is your name.
Taken slowly but consistently, echolalia in an autistic child can be decreased significantly to the point where only an experienced person could pick it up.
Donna Mason has been a Registered Nurse for the past 16 years. She is the mother of 6 children, 3 of whom have varying degrees of Autism. For more information on Autism signs and symptoms, and to learn more about this mother's battle in the fight against this misunderstood condition, visit us on the web at: http://www.autisticadventures.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_Mason


Sunday, October 16, 2011

Autism: How Do You Communicate With a Non-Verbal Child?

I am a teacher and recently, I assisted to one of these workshops meant to improve the quality of your teaching methods. I also am the mother of two young autistic children. My oldest is a 5 years old boy, which is considered to be non-verbal as he may not have used more than six words in his life. "Mama" was said for the first time about a year ago when he was 41/2 years old. I can't describe to you how precious this magic moment was. I still enjoy it every time he pronounces it.

Sometimes, teachers need to be taught a few things!

During this workshop, we were studying the multiple ways that a person learns new information. Some are visual and learn using diagrams, drawings, pictures, etc. Others are using manipulative to understand new concepts. There are eight types of learning styles. One of them is called: "verbal". This type of processing is done orally and using written material such as books, essays, etc. One of the statements that was made was that: "The more people express themselves orally, the more easily they will be able to express themselves and show their knowledge through their writing skills."

It burned me inside. That is when I shared both my feelings and my experience concerning my son with my colleagues. It opened a new door for me when I realized that the question that popped up in people's mind really was: "Autism: How do you communicate with a non-verbal child?"

That is when I decided to share some information related to my experience as a parent of a non-verbal child who is affected by the Autism Spectrum disorder.

A bit of personal history of my non-verbal son

My son is considered non-verbal since his vocabulary contains approximately six words which are mainly used when frustration sets in, especially when his message is not understood by the person he is communication with, at the time. Physically, he is able to speak as he is able to pronounce words but for an unknown reason, he is not communicating with others this way.

Doctors have explained that he has 50% chances of becoming verbal one day as in several cases; non-verbal children affected by Autism will start speaking between the ages of 5 to 8 years old. Some children even began speaking as late as 13 years old.

When he does speak without being influenced by frustration, his words are said in such a faint tone of voice that they are often difficult to understand or heard, if at all. As a parent, you sometimes think that you have heard him speak but being unsure you tend to believe that you heard things that you want to hear without reflecting reality. Sometimes, it may be the case but you will never know it for sure.

Communication with a non-verbal child

So, how do we communicate with our son? Well, we are using a variety of techniques. For example, in certain cases we use concrete objects that we either show him or the other way around. If he wants a sandwich, he will bring the container of jam to us. If he wants the remote control, he will take us to the shelf, take our hand and point it towards it. If you ask him to choose between several options, we will observe his reaction towards each one of them. If he gets excited, his body language will display his affirmative response by jumping up and down, some hand flapping accompanied by a huge smile. When the answer is negative, he will become upset, push away the item, turn away from it and sometimes he will even cry.

What are other ways that we use for communication purposes? Well, we use a bit of sign language, the PECS, objects and observe a lot of his reactions and the clues that he gives us such as: his body language, his tone of voice, his sounds, the expression on his face as well as the gestures that he makes us do such as putting our hands on his head with pressure to communicate that he has a headache. Another thing that we keep an eye on is his routine and the slightest changes that may be responsible for his sudden distress.

Lack of information can lead to harsh and judgmental comments

Today, I went to the hair salon. The hairdresser told me that earlier, she cut the hair of an autistic child. She said that she thought he was "normal" until she was told that he was affected by ASD. Then, she said that as all children with ASD, he was "a bit behind mentally". I was so disgusted, hurt and angry that I even considered leaving but being in the process of a haircut, I did not want to leave with half of it completed.

I explained to her that it was a misconception that all people with ASD were affected by mental developmental delay. I also explained that during my workshop, I was told that someone who is non-verbal cannot communicate which meant, according to them that they were automatically affected by intellectual difficulties. I explained that not being verbal does not mean that someone cannot communicate efficiently their thoughts and knowledge.

Knowledge is present in a non-verbal child

As a parent, I often feel hurt and frustrated about the misconceptions that people have about Autism. At school, my son has been evaluated differently but he still surprises the school staff that work with him by his knowledge. Since he is using the computer efficiently, maybe he can use it later in life to communicate with us if he remains non-verbal.

Autism is often misunderstood

Often, people do not understand the frustration level of a non-verbal person. Well, imagine that you visit a country where you are unable to communicate with people in their own language. Wouldn't you feel frustrated after a while? Now, imagine how it would feel to live like this every day!

If people ask you in the future: "How do you communicate with a non-verbal child?" You will be able not only to answer their question but also to enlighten them by sharing some insightful information as Autism is often unknown, even by the Educational system.

If you wish to learn more information about Autism, I invite you to visit the following sites: http://autism-spectrum-disorder.com, http://autism-spectrum.blogspot.com and http://autism.findoutnow.org.

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



Friday, October 14, 2011

Autism Treatment And The Power Of Music

A relatively new method for treating individuals that are suffering from autism is musical therapy. When discussing treatment options, serious consideration should be given to incorporating this method. Musical therapy often helps patients improve their temperament as well as their learning skills. By connecting to the non-verbal sections of our minds, music proves to be an excellent form of therapy for those suffering from disorders that limit their communication skills. If you haven't had much success with other forms of autism treatment, you may be pleasantly surprised by how much this method may help.

The reason that musical therapy can be so effective is because you can use it in addition to other treatments for learning social skills. By its very nature, music therapy is non-threatening to patients allowing behavior and social skills to be improved by the many games that can be played using this method. Autistic patients can break through social barriers through the encouragement of eye contact during singing or the use of an instrument, such as a harmonica, that needs to be in close proximity to your face.

The most important way that music therapy helps autistic patients is by helping to develop their use of speech. Music helps us connect to the verbal and the non-verbal functions of our minds. Many people that suffer from autism have varying degrees of difficulty with speech. Some patients can only make humming or grunting sounds, while others have developed the ability to put together words and sentences that will at least allow them to communicate. Regardless of how much skill the patient has with speech, there is something to be gained by participating in musical therapy.

It is not unusual for autistic patients to be particularly good with music. Some have excellent pitch; others can learn to play instruments with a minimum of instruction. Even if the person doesn't show amazing musical abilities, some difficult to handle autistic patients have musical abilities that greatly exceed their other abilities. Musical therapists will use music to link this type of learning to other types of learning, including speech, social and behavioral development. This can also be used as a means of communicating emotions and to develop the memory.

Music therapy can be very beneficial to autistic patients on its own and when combined with other treatment techniques. A trained music therapist can teach a patient how to communicate using nonverbal methods, which makes it easier for autistic individuals to learn. It may be in your best interest to spend some time researching musical therapy to see if this form of treatment may be a good choice for you and your loved ones.

There is much more to learn about the management and treatment for autism The best thing you can do for the health and welfare of your family is to become informed. The most up to date resources and information about diagnosing, controlling, and treating Autism can be found at Http://AutismAwareness.wordpress.com

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



What Is HFA - High Functioning Autism?

Autism as a disorder is diagnosed on the basis of abnormalities detected in the subject in the spheres of social interaction, communication, imagination, combined with a marked tendency towards indulging in peculiar, repetitive behavior. Most autistic subjects also have very few interests and passions and largely keep to themselves. So how is the condition of high functioning autism different and how is the diagnosis made on the subject?

The term, 'High-Functioning Autism', also called HFA, applies to people suffering from autism, who also register an IQ of 80 or above. People with HFA also have a clear ability to speak, read and write. Hence, people diagnosed with HFA might actually have normal or even above-average intelligence on the whole and might not at all seem that cognitively challenged at all.

An autistic person who displays all the signs of typical HFA except having a history of delayed or abnormal speech development, is said to be suffering from Asperger's Syndrome (AS).

There is a school of thought that believes that both AS and HFA are types of a disability in the autistic child. But that might not be the case at all. Children suffering from high-functioning autism are only different as compared to others, not necessarily disabled.

Sometimes, certain types of high-functioning autism are diagnosed as Asperger's Syndrome and certain other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The symptoms of such types of HFA are more or less those of regular autism. There might be a delay in speech development, understanding of language and slang, repetitive behavior and rigid, unchanging and stubborn mental attitude.

A child who is diagnosed with HFA should immediately be taken to a specialized professional, such as a pediatric neurologist or child psychologist, who would be able to suggest further course of treatment. With regular treatment and therapy, children with high functioning autism may even be able to live full, normal lives.

Raising a child with high-functioning autism is not the end of the world either for the child or his family. There are only certain things that have to be done if the child has to make quick recovery.

Visiting treatment centers

Once the diagnosis of high-functioning autism has been made on the child, he needs to be immediately taken for treatment. The earlier the therapy commences, the better it is for the child. Each school district in the United States offers programs that help and assist children with such conditions.

Mapping out a strategy for treatment

The strategy for therapy has to be decided upon and implemented without delay. Autism is not a disease - it is only a mental condition which involves a different kind of brain functioning. Charting out the best course of therapy and getting to it as soon as possible helps the child overcome his challenges that much faster.

Experts formulate a strategy for social, communication, motor and other behavior skills. A specialized therapy plan, called the Individual Education Plan (IEP) is worked at, after the specialist brainstorms with the parents and teachers. Methodically laying out this plan is what helps the child progress in the academic and other fields of his life.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

ABA is applied to reward these children for right behavior, so that they learn to reform from it. They are also taught to let go of their stubborn tendencies and develop better social and communication skills.

Conclusion

Treating children with HFA is slowly becoming easier, thanks to the discovery of new strategies and therapies available for the condition. If treated early enough, children suffering from high functioning autism can lead a normal, successful life ahead.

Melissa Fox is a health professional very interested in Teaching Children With Autism. She enjoys writing inspirational articles for Real Living. To learn more about High Functioning Autism please visit www.CausesOfAutism.org

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Can Autism Be Prevented?

Can autism be prevented? Unfortunately, no, it cannot be prevented or cured. Early diagnosis is critical and may help maximize an autistic child's ability to speak, learn and function. Regular visits to a pediatrician can help with early signs and detection. The earlier treatments can begin, the more effective they will be.

Autism is a pervasive development disorder. It is actually a group of illnesses that cause delays in the development of many basic skills, such as, the ability to form relationships and socialize with others, the ability to communicate and use imagination. Many children with autism are confused in their thinking a have problems with the world around them. They usually have a limited range of interest and are unable to bond with their parents or siblings.

Symptoms of autism will usually appear before age 3, but will last throughout life. Some of the symptoms are difficulty with communication, including using and understanding language, difficulty in using non-verbal communication, such as, gestures and facial expressions and the inability to make friends and even preferring to play alone. An autistic child may have a distinct lack of imagination and be unable to adjust to any change in routines or surroundings. They may exhibit an unusual insistence on following daily routines in exact detail.

While babies all develop at their own pace, you should consult a physician if any of these warning signs are present. If your baby does not babble or coo by 12 months of age, or seems unable to gesture, point or wave by 12 months or is not saying at least single words by around 16 months of age. If your child has lost any language or social skills at any age it could be a warning sign worth some further exploration by a physician.

While the exact cause of this disease is not known, much speculation about the correlation between childhood vaccinations and autism has surfaced in recent years. Some parents believe there is a link between the vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella. Research, however, suggests that the only link is that symptoms of autism usually appear shortly after age one, or the usual time these vaccinations are started. Researchers believe there is no connection other than a coincidence of timing.

Autism treatment usually includes a combination of special education, speech, physical and occupational therapy and behavior modification. There is no medication to specifically treat the disease, but some medication may be used to treat specific behaviors such as, hyperactivity, nervousness or behaviors that may result in injury.

Can autism be prevented? Unfortunately, no, but with early diagnosis and treatment, symptoms may improve as children age. The outlook appears better for children with higher levels of intelligence who are able to communicate with language. Again, regular visits to a pediatrician can detect any signs of autism so that early treatment can be started. The earlier treatments begin the more effective they will be.

Do you have an autistic child or loved one? Calm your fears and don't despair. Help is near. Right now, before you do anything else, click over to the Parent's Autism Guide. This may be the most important thing you will do today.

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



Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Toddlers - Speech Delay or More Serious Problems?

Does your toddler talk? Does your toddler scream to communicate?

When I looked down at my beautiful baby infant my heart soared. There is nothing in this world that can match the feelings of seeing your very own new born baby.

My baby girl was a wonderful infant. She really did not give me any unordinary problems.

When my baby was around two years old she suddenly changed.

What had happened to my wonderful sweet baby girl?

Yes I know there are the terrible two's. I had another child, older and I remember when he went through the terrible two's. Plus I remember when my sister's children went through there terrible two's but this was different.

My little toddle did not talk she screamed to communicate with me and anybody that was in her small life circle.

I know that many two year old children do not talk. They might start talking when they are 2 ½ or 3 years old but this was entirely different.

My family and friends suggested that I take my beautiful daughter to a doctor. I did and I am forever grateful to my family and friends for making the suggestion to me.

When it comes to children and parents some people would never think of becoming involved. As an outsider, they have a clearer window since they are not involved in the day to day care of the child.

The doctor immediately upon my description of how my child was acting and screaming to communicate plugged me into a Speech Therapy class.

The doctor also recommended a Child Psychologist.

For the next three years my life revolved around my daughter's schedule of attending speech therapy three times a week.

Immediately following speech therapy we went directly to the Child Psychologist's office.

The speech therapy and the Psychologist's therapy combined achieved a wonderful miracle.

My daughter started to slowly start speaking using one or two words sentences. Gradually her vocabulary continued to build.

After she was in kindergarten and all throughout elementary school, she continued her speech therapy. Her visits to the Child Psychologist were now only twice a month.

As a mother and having lived through this trauma and believe me it was a trauma. I am happy to say my daughter, a young lady today, is working, owns her own car and is financially independent. I am very proud of her and could not imagine her not being in my life.

I say a strong thank you to the wonderful Speech Therapists that worked with her throughout the years.

I also say a strong thank you to the wonderful Child Psychologist who worked with my daughter throughout her younger years.

I do not know what would have happened to her if she would not have had this special care in her early years.

I strongly recommend to parents, if you have a child that you feel needs help in anyway get the child evaluated by a doctor immediately. It's never too early to act.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to check out my other articles. I would love to hear from you.

Copyright 2006 Linda Meckler

Linda would like a child evaluated immediately as soon as the problem presents itself.

If you have hand or elbow pain try my, "Love My Pad". Check it out on her website.

Currently Linda has published her first children's book, "Ghost Kids Trilogy". This is three complete books in one book. Christy 12, and her brother Brad, 16 move into an old house on a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids. Love, and Family Values burst off the pages along with Adventure and Mystery. To order, "Ghost Kids Trilogy," check out my website http://www.lmeckler.com

If you are Wheelchair or Bed confined check out Instant Bladder Relief in my website.

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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Symptoms and Treatment For Autism and Its Communication Disorder

Children with autism syndrome have a lack of effective communication skills, therefore inhibiting lifelong social skills. Parents who know what to look for at an early age can increase the chances for their child to live a somewhat normal life

All children learn at their own pace, therefore making it difficult to diagnose at infancy. Infants a few months of age will typically start to babble, imitating the sounds it hears around him. While every baby develops speech at a different rate the following is a guide for the average child. At one year, can use negative phrases such as "No, want", can imitate animal sounds and noises, and says four to six simple words. At 18 months can say 10 to 15 words and can make two word sentences (i.e., "Daddy up") At 2 has a vocabulary of about 100 words and asks, "What is?" The autistic child on the other hand does not develop at this normal rate and has a difficult time building his/her vocabulary. There might only be a few words they understand or respond to. They might not speak at all; half of the people diagnosed with autism never learn to speak

A more comprehensible clue for an autistic child is the skewed verbal cues they might respond to. For example: Pointing at a red car and stating, "look at the red car". The autistic child will become fixated more on your finger pointing at the red car than the actual point of interest. An autistic child will have a difficult time making his/her wants and needs known and will more than likely point at something he/she wants rather than using words to describe it

The inability to verbalize his/her thoughts affects the imaginative play, making it difficult to have cooperative play with other children.

Even if an autistic child does develop speech he /she has a difficult time holding or starting a conversation due to the inability to understand facial cues, sarcasm and the use of humor and will likely understand it in the literal sense. A child with autism will repeat phrases over and over again and will often mimic others speech.

Working with autistic children's communication skills prior to the age of two will prevent the skills atrophy. Intensive therapy at an early age can decrease many of the communication problems that autistic children face and may enable them to attain a near average capability. Epilepsy and associated seizure disorders are common with autistic children that haven't been diagnosed prior to the age of two.

There are many more resources and information about autism signs, symptoms, treatments, and cutting edge medical research in, Autism: Everything Parents And Caregivers Should Know About The Disorder - http://www.mynewworldweb.com

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Autism and Communication - Staying Connected to a Meaningful Life

Autism is a neurologically-based disorder that affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction. Autism is different for every person. No two people with autism are exactly the same. Some people with autism have difficulty with their mobility such as controlling their arms, legs or mouth muscles. And, others have difficulty with cognitive skills-like reasoning, learning or memory. The problems may range in severity and may even change over time.

Research shows that autism occurs four times more often in males than females. Autism is found in all racial, ethnic and social backgrounds and families. Early signs of autism can be seen by as early as age 12 months and diagnosis can be made as early as 24 months. Early identification and treatment of autism increases the chances for improving problem skills and improves quality of life.

There are several different types of disorders in the autism "spectrum" also known as "autism spectrum disorders" or "pervasive developmental disorders."

o Autism disorder

o Asperger syndrome

o Childhood disintegrative disorder

o Rett syndrome (in girls)

o Pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified

Although each person with autism is different, there are some common communication and social characteristics that most exhibit. These communication and social interactions will vary in severity and may be altered as the person grows and develop in the various stages of his life.

Communication

o Delayed language

o Not speaking or very limited speech

o Difficulty expressing basic wants and needs

o Limited communication to share interests with others

o Poor vocabulary development

o Problems following directions

o Problems finding objects that are named

o Repeating what is said (echolalia)

o Difficulty understanding nonverbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions

o Problems answering questions

Social Interaction

o Inappropriate eye contact

o Becoming overly focused on certain objects or topics

o Difficulty building friendships

o Dislike being held or touched

o Inappropriate behavior such as crying, laughing or becoming angry for no known reason or at the wrong time

o Poor play skills

Other Social Interaction

o Problems dealing with change

o Using objects in unusual ways

o Feeding difficulties-accepting or refusing only selected foods or textures

o Over or under sensitivity to sounds

Speech and language services are important for people with autism at every age. Speech and language treatment can help people with autism develop effective speaking, listening, reading and social skills. At all ages, appropriate communication and positive social interactions are important for:

o Relationships with family, peers, friends and community

o Inclusion in social activities

o Success in school or at work

o Reducing behavior problems

o Emotional well-being and self-esteem

Ways to Stay Connected

As a caregiver of a person with autism, there are ways to help your loved one stay connected through communication. Finding the best way for the person with autism to express his thoughts, wants and needs to others is very important in helping him stay connected to those around him. Here are few ways to help in improving communication and social interactions:

o Increase awareness of and respond to all communication attempts. In order to accomplish
this, parents and other caregivers must begin to interpret all actions and behaviors as having communicative intent or communicative meaning.

o Use picture communication boards or books of familiar activities and people. Create a
communication board or book to help the child with autism to communicate needs, feelings, or desires.

o Use music therapy such as singing songs while during routine tasks. When washing body parts you could sing..."this is the way we clear our ears, clean our eyes, clean our cheeks."

o Provide positive supports and learning opportunities. Identify and arrange communication
opportunities in natural contexts throughout the child's day. Manipulate the environment! Create circumstances which encourages communication.

o Encourage interactions by providing individuals with autism the opportunity to socialize in
environments with age-appropriate peers. The experience of participating in a social group is essential to developing social-communicative skills.

o Teach children with autism that their actions or words have distinct results associated with
them. The child must learn that communication can be used to influence the environment.

By employing these communication strategies, the result is an increase in a child with autism understanding and use of communication. These strategies can help reduce the result of challenging behaviors and help the individual stay connected to the world around him.

References: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Speech-Language Pathologists: Helping People with Autism

Fielding, Linda. Autism: Communication and Behavior Links

Denise Moore Revel is a Leading Speech Therapist that specializes in improving communication skills in children. Visit her website at http://www.AsktheSpeechTherapist.com and sign-up for the FREE online newsletter for tips, ideas, and strategies on how to improve communication skills.

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



Monday, October 10, 2011

Biomedical Autism Treatment - Intervention For Autistic Children

What is Biomedical Autism Treatment?

Biomedical autism treatment is the practice of treating the medical problems that can trigger autism and other disorders. Many children, teenagers and adults with an autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) have a true, underlying medical condition that includes genetic susceptibilities, detoxification imbalance, immune dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, dietary sensitivities, biochemical abnormalities and more as causative factors in their ASD condition. A biomedical autism treatment approach comes from the awareness that ASD for many individuals is NOT just a psychological condition with no hope for improvement or recovery, like some say. It is, instead, a medical condition that has the potential to be reversed. Biomedical autism treatment for someone with an Autism-Spectrum Disorder works! It should be considered essential for any comprehensive program you are implementing to improve the health and quality of your child's (and your) life.

Basic Overview of Biomedical Autism Treatment:

* It is more than just a neuro-developmental disorder. Autism and other autism-spectrum disorders are truly a medical condition.

* It is the knowledge that the majority of autism-spectrum children (as well as teenagers and adults) are dealing with an underlying biological (aka. medical) disorder.

* Biomedicine can help children with attention-deficit (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other neuro-developmental problems even if they are not diagnosed with autism.

* Heavy metals, food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, chronic infections, immune dysfunction and genetic susceptibilities are at the core of their health problems. When these health issues are identified and treated many children's autism condition either improves or goes away.

* Biological problems involving the brain, immune, digestive, hormone and biochemical systems are at the root for many children on the autism-spectrum. The key is to recognize that autism is reversible for many children.

* Some of the biomedical autism treatments include dietary intervention such as the gluten and casein-free diet, vitamin and mineral therapy, detoxification treatment including the removal of heavy metal toxins, digestive support therapy including bacterial and yeast eradication, hyperbaric oxygen therapy for ongoing neurological inflammation and poor oxygen circulation and more.

* It is totally false that there is no hope for recovery - Autism Is Treatable. Many children have the potential to improve and in some their autism can be reversed. Biomedical autism treatment can also improve the effectiveness of other therapies such as speech, occupation therapy and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Many parents see a dramatic improvement in their child's response with these "traditional" autism interventions once they begin biomedical intervention.

Don't let ANYONE tell you there is nothing you can do to help your child. Autism really is treatable! Start your child down the road to recovery from autism. Biomedical Autism treatments and therapies have resulted in many, many children improving - even losing their autism-spectrum disorder diagnosis. For more information and a free ebook on biomedical autism treatment go to http://www.AutismActionPlan.org

Dr. Kurt Woeller is an autism biomedical specialist, with a private practice in Southern California for over 10 years. He has helped children recover from autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders, and has the information you need to help your child. Get his ebook, "7 Facts You Need To Know About Autism (But Probably Weren't Told)." You can download it right now for free at http://www.AutismActionPlan.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Kurt_Woeller



Friday, October 7, 2011

Autism 101 - Common Therapies Used For Autism

Autism affects each child differently. Some children with autism can live in mainstream society with very little struggles or disruptions to their daily lives. It isn't that way for all children though. Some children have severe difficulties even coping with life. Their senses overwhelm them, their problems consume their daily lives and the lives of those who care for them and living in general is just plain difficult.

It doesn't have to be that way though. In fact with modern treatments, many children can reach a level of normalcy and reduce the struggles of living with autism.

One such method is occupational therapy. No, this doesn't mean helping them find a job, it means providing therapy for them that will help them with their daily tasks. This method of therapy can help them learn to cope in the world around them, and can give the child a sense of control and empowerment they may not have had previously.

Another therapy that can help is speech therapy. Since many autistic children have little to no communication skills, this can be a vital part of helping your child cope. And for some children, it even gives them back their voices and vocabularies that autism may have robbed them of.

Another helpful tool if speech therapy is not working, is teaching the child sign language. This can give a child who has no voice a method to communicate. A method to verbalize with the world their wants and needs. It can be an asset for all children with autism to learn to sign, in case at some point in the future
they stop talking altogether.

Play therapy can be a wonderful tool as well. Getting down to ground level and letting them bring you into their world of play can be a great learning tool. It can help them learn to interact socially as well as show you ways that you can interact with them, that won't upset them or cause a meltdown.

As with any disability, there is hope for children with autism. They don't have to remain locked in their own little worlds forever. With the proper therapy and help, they can regain their lives and live a much more fulfilling happy life. The above mentioned therapies are just a few of many ways to help your autistic child. Being a supportive and caring parent, with a high level of patience can go a long way to make this world a little more hospitable for your loved one.

Autism affects each child differently. Find out more tips to help your autistic child, click here!

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



Sunday, October 2, 2011

Turning Common Interactions Into Meaningful Social Skill Lessons for a Child With Autism

Do you have a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who is challenged socially? Do you realize that you don't have to rely on the professionals who provide services to your child to enhance their social skills. Social skill groups and classes led by experts in the field are extremely beneficial but you also have the power to take every social interaction your child experiences and turn it into a teaching/learning opportunity.

As parents we interact with our children numerous times during the day. Each interaction has a specific reason attached to it, helping a child dress, tucking them into bed, or reading them a story are simple encounters that are almost done by default as if we are on automatic pilot. These can be anything from a greeting, asking them a question or giving them a direction that may be brief yet powerful. When you think of it, every contact we have with our children is a social one and as simple as it might be we can make it even more significant to our autistic child if we take 30-45 more seconds to describe what we are doing.

Children with Autism are very concrete and literal and we should not assume that they are picking up everything we do via watching or observing us. We need to be more mindful and deliberate when it comes to parenting a child with autism because they do not always absorb things just by being exposed to them. Realistically, there is much that is happening that is not being noticed unless we specifically point it out.

The best strategy for turning a social encounter into a meaningful learning experience for your autistic child is to call attention to the manner in which you relate to them and why. This is a simple yet effective way to expand your child's social toolbox. Here are some tips on how to make each interaction you have with your child more meaningful and useful.

- Use the rewind button. After a typical social interaction you have with your child, rewind what you just did and replay it for them in slow motion. Ex. "Did you notice what I just did? I wanted to ask you a question so I made sure I was close to you instead of hollering from across the room." Replay the scene using each approach and ask which one works best. For older children you can also get into a discussion of why that tactic was the better one to use.

- Pretend you need help. All children like being asked to share their opinion - it makes them feel important. When you have time to think ahead, try involving your child in a social skill decision. "I want to ask your dad a question but he looks as if he is busy right now, what do you think I should do?" Then present two plausible options, one more socially acceptable than the other and ask your child what do you think will happen if I use option A, then examine option B.

- Paint a picture of what you just did. "I wanted to make sure I had your attention so I leaned over and looked into your eyes." Then follow up with a specific description of using that skill - "When you want to make sure someone is listening to you, it's best to get in front of them and look at the color of their eyes." Add any specific details that you think your child will need - in front of means an arms length away, not right up in their face, etc.

- Point out your mistakes. Even as adults, not all of our interactions are successful but we often know where we went wrong. This is a great opportunity to share your experience with your child and prompt them to think about what you could have done differently. When asking their advice do not let too much time go by after you pose the question or make them feel pressured by it, simply fill in the answer for them and briefly discuss it, if possible.

Remember, there is no such thing as too much repetition for a child on the autism spectrum. It is always a good idea to end each one of these possible scenarios with a specific description regarding the social skill you are trying to teach and duplicate it as often as you think you need to in order for your child to grasp the skill.

There is always ample opportunity to practice most of these skills because they occur over and over again in our daily activities. The added benefit to this process is that we grow in awareness as to how we utilize our own social skills to communicate and get to practice them more consciously.

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 ecourse, Parenting a Child with Autism - 3 Secrets to Thrive and a weekly parenting tip newsletter, The Spectrum.

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


Thursday, September 15, 2011

Children Speech Disorders - What Are the Types of Speech Disorders?

Articulation is the most common type of speech disorder among children. Disorders of articulation are characterized by the omission, distortion, or substitution of speech sounds.

"Tootie" instead of "cookie," "wed" instead of "red," "thop" or "top" instead of "stop" - these are examples of common articulatory errors that can be easily overcome with a speech therapy at home.

Sometimes only one or two sounds are defective, but sometimes there are so many errors that the speech is unintelligible to everyone with the possible exception of the parents.

Voice problems are not as common as articulatory problems. They include voices that are too high or too low in pitch, too loud or not loud enough, voices that are harsh, breathy, nasal or otherwise unpleasant, and voices that are monotonous - that is, lacking in flexibility of expression.

Problems of the understanding and use of words constitute another speech or language disorder. Words, of course, are symbols; they "stand for" or represent something. What the word "cat" means to you depends upon all of the past experiences that you associate with that symbol.

A child may know that this small animal likes milk, catches mice, has soft fur, and purrs when it is petted and still be unable to associate or "connect" the word "cat" with the animal.

Children who have difficulty in understanding or using words are sometimes referred to as "aphasoid."

Stuttering is probably the speech disorder that causes parents the most anxiety. Some writers believe that it is this very anxiety that contributes to the child's problem.

This disorder is usually thought of in terms of hesitations in the flow of speech, repetitions of sounds, words, or phrases, and facial grimaces or tensions. Although there is much more involved in the problem of stuttering than a description of the symptoms, it is these observable symptoms that cause parents to become concerned.

The classification of speech disorders given above is based on symptoms, without consideration for the cause. Under this system a child with a cleft palate, or other physiological defect, would be said to have an articulation problem, a voice problem, or both, depending upon his own speech needs.

Are you worried about your child's speech problems? Do you want to know more about children speech therapy and how to improve your child's speech at home? See my website: http://www.ImproveYourChildsSpeech.com

From Jane M. Bishop

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_M._Bishop


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

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.

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


Friday, August 26, 2011

The Effects of Speech Therapy on Behavior at Home, School, and in the Community

Children with autism not only have trouble communicating socially, but may also have problems behaving. The goal of speech therapy is to improve all aspects of communication. For example, sometimes children with autism have trouble understanding when it is acceptable to use bossy or polite requests. Speech therapy can help children to learn what sort of tone they should use when speaking.

Speech therapy sessions will vary greatly depending upon the therapist and the child. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is one type of speech therapy that is used for children who do not imitate the sounds of others. For these children, several speech therapy methods may help them learn to speak. AAC is often the first strategy to help them learn enough communication to be able to have some social interactions. There are five other methods that may also help these children:
1) avoid pressuring children to speak, and using puppets and play as encouragement instead;
2) imitating the child and they may start imitating others;
3) using exaggerated sounds and speaking slowly;
4) using visual feedback and touch to help teach skills; and
5) adding exercises for mouth movements that are specific to speech.

Speech Therapy Improves Behavior

Many scientific studies demonstrate that speech therapy is able to improve the communication skills of children with autism. In addition, many children also show improved behavior after speech and language therapy. A 2009 survey of the parents of 210 preschool children asked the parents about their expectations before speech and language therapy, and then asked about any improvements in their children after therapy. Parents said play, social skills, and confidence, as well as speech, improved after therapy. The child's behaviors at home, in school, and in public were also better. While these improvements in behavior are not generally used by speech therapists to indicate success, they can be very meaningful to the child and parents.

Speech Therapists Enter the Community

Speech therapists can also be a wonderful resource for people offering services to children with autism. For example, Aprile Mickeys at Haircuts for Peanuts in Rochester, New York specializes in cutting the hair of children with special needs. Haircuts for Peanuts has always been a fun place for children (and even their older siblings), complete with a circus-theme and lots of toys. All of the stylists have been trained by speech and occupational therapists to work with children with autism and other special needs. Each of the hair cutting stations has toys especially for children with special needs and the stylists have learned techniques to calm children who might be anxious.

Learning More About Speech Therapy

Autism is a condition covered under the United States' Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004. The cost of speech therapy is often covered by the government through this act.

Please visit Healing Thresholds to learn more about speech therapy and other autism therapies.

Lara Pullen, PhD is the co-founder and CEO of http://autism.healingthresholds.com. Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy is a free website and email newsletter dedicated to healing the lives of families touched by autism. They provide comprehensive therapy fact sheets, daily updates of autism therapy research and news, and a global directory of autism-related therapists and services. A comprehensive fact sheet about speech therapy -- plus research summaries, news, and comments -- is available at http://autism.healingthresholds.com/therapy/speech-therapy.

Lara is a former research scientist in the field of immunology. She has been a medical writer since 1999 and has written on a wide range of topics from Alzheimer's disease to diabetes. She is the mother of three children, the youngest of whom has Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lara_Pullen,_PhD



Friday, August 19, 2011

Autism and Speech and Language Treatment

For a typical child, speech begins to develop with the first sound the child makes. Words like mama, dada and ball are normal first words you normally hear. Incrementally, a child will create language by using those sounds and speech skills. By school age, most children already have speech that is understandable by someone who has not been around them. Children with autism may take longer to develop speech to a level which is understandable if at all.
Parents and caregivers can go to their doctors to ask for an evaluation and a referral. From there, they are usually referred to a speech pathologist or therapist. Speech pathologists, also known as therapists, must hold masters degrees and work in a clinics, school settings, and private settings. Speech therapists have many interventions and tools to use from speech curriculum to play like therapy. Speech pathologists work with infants and young children in creating cognitive skills necessary for language development, sound production and receptive expressive language.
There are different forms of communication. For children who are less verbal, you would use such systems as picture exchange, sign language, communication boards, and electronic devices to name a few. Oral motor skills and feeding skills are also treatments provided by the pathologist to specialize the child's needs. Combining objects, photos, picture communication symbols, gestures, and aided AAC systems to traditional speech and language treatment approaches helps an individual with autism communicate.
As a parent or caregiver, it is important to be honest if you do not understand what your child is saying. Encourage them to try again. Letting your child know you understand when you do actually understand will encourage proper language use.
You must model good speech. If you child makes an error in their speech, repeat what they were attempting to say in the correct way. Your child will learn to speak correctly by hearing you talk and read correctly.
It is always good to read to your child. They will obtain speech sounds and the proper vocabulary steadily. If your child loves for you to read the same book every night before bed, then do it. The more they hear the words and sentences, the more likely they are to retain and use the language. Your child becomes more familiar with language.
There is not a child who is too young to begin receiving help with language. It is a very important tool that we use in every day life. If you have any doubt, or have a mother's gut feeling that something is wrong with your child, please take your child in to get evaluated.

Not knowing what treatments or therapies to use can be very frustrating. There are many therapies and no two children are alike. You can find our more at Autism-Free Information and Reports.

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



Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Important Facts About Glutathione and Autism

Numerous Benefits of Glutathione

It is no longer a surprise to most of us that glutathione has numerous benefits in our body considering that it is known to be the superhero when it comes to protecting our immune system from failure. Would it be a surprise to you then, if you found out that glutathione and autism has some sort of connection and glutathione may help with autism? If so, how are glutathione and autism connected?

Indeed, autism affects many children as it is known as a complex developmental disability in the neurological area or the brain. And because it affects the brain, it affects other developments too like speech and social interactions. Because of this, parents who have autistic children would require a massive deal of patience with their children.

Although they have to treat their children with the same treatment that of a normal kid, when it comes to discipline, parents should be more considerate to their autistic child and refrain from easily being angered by how their children behaves. But, what causes autism and how is glutathione and autism linked that one could say glutathione autism treatment is possible?

How Are Glutathione and Autism Linked?

According to various studies, autism is may be linked to a glutathione deficiency. We all know that glutathione is the main protector of our immune system and a detoxifying agent so that our body can be free from harmful toxins. When a child lacks glutathione in the body, his or her immune system is weak. With a weak immune system, when the child is exposed to oxidative stress like harmful chemicals, the immune system may not be able to defend the body.

Rather, the weak immune system is likely to be wrecked. With a destroyed immune system, toxins and pollutants can easily enter the body causing whatever damage they want to cause and they sure won't exempt the brain for that. In fact, toxins and free radicals are known to be the major contributor for brain damage. This then, affects the brain functioning of the child, causing autism.

Now, because glutathione is located in most parts of the body like the brain, the body is supposed to supply the brain with it. But with low glutathione levels, the brain doesn't get its share of defense that is why it is said that glutathione deficiency may contribute to autism, thereby linking glutathione and autism.

Glutathione and autism are also linked because of the benefits of glutathione and what it does to the body. Since glutathione detoxifies the body from free radicals, it is able to protect the immune system and strengthen it so it can fight toxins and eradicate them. This way, they won't be causing severe damage to the brain anymore.

This is how glutathione autism treatment is possible. In conclusion, there is hope for treating autism through glutathione since glutathione products and treatments are available nowadays. By supplying glutathione to the body, distributing it to the cells, your autistic child can get the glutathione his or her body and brain requires.

Do you know that in order to survive your body requires 4 essential elements; water, air, food and Glutathione! What is Glutathione? You need to learn about how this tiny complex element is so critical to your overall health. http://www.effectsofglutathione.com

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



Speech Therapy for Toddlers: Some Useful Facts

Is your child reluctant to speak and communicates only through gestures? Do you feel that he is not very expressive and beginning to withdraw into a shell? If you have even the vaguest suspicion that your child may have difficulty in expressing himself through words, you need to seek medical intervention.

The sooner a child is started on speech therapy, the better the chances of the child's communication skills and intellect developing rapidly. There is a growing body of evidence that there are a number of children who are just late doing stuff so there may not be a real concern unless the child is over ten months old when he should be able to mouth complete words and not just babble.

Experts believe that children whose parents spend quality time reading them stories, playing with them, and talking to them are the ones that will start to speak sooner and with a wider vocabulary. It is also believed that a child who is exposed to a lot of social interaction and whose conversations are taken seriously exhibits intellectual superiority over peers. If you suspect that your toddler may be having a speech disorder, you could try training your child to speak at home, which should normally set things straight.

Getting a toddler to do what you want them to do, is a very difficult proposition. Instead, try doing the things the toddler wants to do. Sit down with your child's toys and offer to play with him or her. Notice the toys that get preferential treatment and use those as an award. Keep some yummy treats handy, which you can give as soon as you get the correct response from your child.

Don't spend too much time trying to pull words out of your child's mouth. Remember that you may be able to hold the child's attention for a maximum of ten minutes so do not, at any cost, overstep that limit as that might make the child detest these 'speech' sessions. Always model the sound a word makes and bring the child's attention to it. If the child repeats the word correctly, offer the treat and make a big deal of his or her success.

If you are a new parent, remember it is never too early to start talking to your child. In fact, experts advise talking to the child and playing soothing music while it's still in the womb! The impact a parent has on a baby is immense so make the most of it and set aside time to talk to your child. Refrain from talking at your child and encourage every effort made by your child to communicate through words or gestures.

If your attempts at speech therapy are not very successful, your child may need a thorough medical check up by a pediatrician, an otolaryngologist, and an audiologist, to rule out other complications. Your child may also benefit with speech evaluation and therapeutic sessions with a professional speech pathologist.

Luchito Ruiz, a massage therapist by profession, loves writing on different topics. In this article, he writes about speech therapy for toddlers. If you would like to read more about dealing with speech disorders in children, visit Childrens Speech Therapist Melbourne and Speech Pathologist Melbourne.

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