The Range Of Function In Autism

Autism is a syndrome that comes from exhibiting certain combinations or patterns of behavior. Low functioning autism is the term used to describe autistic individuals that are not able to function or deal with every day life. Normal to high functioning autism is used to describe people that exhibit autistic behaviors that are in fact able to deal with real world activities and normal day to day life. Many people diagnosed with autism end up living in less then ideal conditions. Autism is a developmental disorder, that affects many areas of human function such as language, and the ability to communicate. It affects self-help skills, coordination, and the ability of an individual to learn.

Common Behaviors

There are several common traits that will aid in the diagnosis of autism. These traits include, the tendency to stay in isolation or be away from others. Autistic individuals will have a hard time making friends and will seem very awkward in social situations. An autistic person will very rarely look some else in the eye. They will be very naive and easily swayed or manipulated. They are often quite gullible. When an autistic person speaks they will often so so using very formal language. They may speak in a monotone and their use of body language may be very poor. (such as nodding "no" while saying "yes". Autistic people will generally prefer common routines, they may be very literal in their use of language and may remember and recite a lot of detail without having a lot of understanding. They may also exhibit hyper- or hypo- sensitivity of the senses, have odd tastes in food and clothing as well as very fine or very grossly exaggerated motor coordination.

The more of the above traits an individual exhibits the more severe the case of autism is said to be. In some cases the above symptoms may become helpfully in certain disciplines like science, math, and engineering. These disciplines require a lot of memorization and many autistic's are quite proficient in these subjects as a result.

Autism and ADHD?

There has been some discussion on about a genetic as well as behavioral link between ADHD and autism. Some experts believe that ADHD should be put considered as a form of autistic spectrum disorder. It is quite common to have children diagnosed with both ADHD and autism together. In children, the two disorders seem very much alike. As the individuals age, the disorders grow and become more apparent. Children with ADHD will often develop normal social skills and be able to communicate with their peers and with others. Autistic children however will continue to show symptoms even as they age. there is still much to learn about the autism spectrum. Even with current advances in technology and medical science, a cure for this condition remains a mystery. The more we study the sooner we will understand the disorder and be able to help those who are diagnosed with this condition.

By: Harris Gates

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Trials and Stresses of Autism Parents

When a parent finds their child has Autism they deal with the emotions as well as the challenges of this realization. There are a variety of treatments for children with Autism. Parents are also being taught different ways to handle their child. It is also important to treat the parent and help them know the best ways to care for their child. The parent may not have Autism, but they are dealing with a lot as well. A parent must deal with the Autism symptoms of their child while also dealing with their own emotions. They are building their own relationship with their child while going through the aspects of Autism as well.

They worry as any parent does that they are making the right decisions. They want to work with their child as well as loving their child. They want to make sure they do the best they can to help with every aspect of the child's needs. Parents need the knowledge to help their child not only with Autism symptoms, but the need for emotional care as well as physical care.

Everything that Autism parents endure means they need to have a support system for themselves too. They love their child, but it can be stressful and painful at times. It is important to meet with other Autism parents, spend time with family and friends and still get out and do things that they find fun. This will help them stay focused on their child because they will have an outlet of their own. It could be going out on a date night once a week or taking a few hours alone to read a book. The parent needs to know there is someone in their life that will listen to them if they are having a bad day and need a special time to vent. Some of the reasons that autism parents find the complete situation so stressful is due to:

Guilt: Somewhere down inside each of the parents with a child with autism blames himself or herself for the child's condition as numerous researches point out hereditary or genetic factors leading to the condition. This adds to the ongoing stresses.

Finances: Even if your healthcare provider and insurance provides for some of the costs, there are numerous costs to bear which may get stressful at times.

Societal Pressures: Being away from the normal children's activities, awkward questions of strangers, cannot attend regular functions which in all, can alienate the parents of autistic child which can also lead to immense strain.

Autism parents need to not only tend to their own emotional health, but their physical health too. The child needs their parent and caregiver. If they are sick then they won't be able to care for the child. It is vital for parents to not neglect themselves. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the needs of the child.

It is important for Autism parents to stay connected to the world as well as each other as parents. It will help ease the road of being an Autism parent. There is more to your life.

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

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Autism Books - Top Three Reasons Why Reading Is So Important For Children With Autism

Books for children with autism - whether autism books or not - are very important. Reading is a skill that will take a child with autism very far. Literacy skills are important for all people, of course, but for people with autism, the skill of reading can help them to communicate and explore in a world that may otherwise be closed off to them.

1. Communication Improves with Reading Skills

Many autism books will tell you that if an autistic child is nonverbal, you will need to find an alternate communication system for them. Many children do this by typing on a small computer device that reads what they wrote, or by typing on some other device. Of course, you have to know how to read in order to be able to write, so reading is an important skill to have. Being able to read also serves other important safety skills, like reading signs when you are walking on the street, being able to read letters that come to you in the mail, and just generally being able to interact with the world.

2. Books Allow an Autistic Child to Experience New Worlds

Autism and books are a good combination, because a child with autism is often a lot more isolated than their peers. They often won't experience many of the typical experiences their peers have. Most have few friends and don't date. Sensory issues limit the activities they can participate in.

But through books, they can discover a world they didn't even know existed. Through books, they can learn what it's like to travel to South America or just read about people their age and what their lives are like.

Books can be very inspiring to people with autism. There are so many memoirs that are written by other people with autism who have overcome many obstacles, from disability to many different kinds of traumatic experiences. When you learn about the world outside you, it frees you. It gives you something to aspire to. It gives you the strength to think you may be able to do what the people in these books are doing.

3. Increase Vocabulary and Language Skills

Reading is also an excellent way for children with autism to learn vocabulary and increase their language skills. Especially if an autistic child reads from an early age, it will help show them how to format sentences, how to use syntax, and give examples of how other people communicate in the world.

The more you read, the more you become comfortable with language. It is best of course for the person with autism to read something that is of interest to them, whether autism books (books about autism in some way), memoirs, history books, novels or what have you.

One woman with autism was quoted, when anonymously interviewed, as saying that she credits most of her writing and language skills to all the reading she has done over her life, starting as a small child with autism and continuing into the present. Reading is a big stress relief, she says, taking her into other worlds where she can escape for a little while from her problems.

She feels that a lot of her syntax and vocabulary comes from the hundreds of books she's read over her life. She particularly likes autism books about other people with autism, she says, because reading them makes her feel not so alone and like she can relate to someone else's life.

Because of all these reasons, books for people with autism, including autism books, are an important tool in communication skills and having a well-rounded life.

For those looking for a great series of books on the topic of autism, check out the books by Craig Kendall. For information on Craig's books as well as to get additional tips and suggestions that can help your loved one live a fulfilling and happy life visit the AmericanAutismSociety.org. There you can sign up for their FREE newsletter with tips and info on autism.

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