Stereotype in Autism and Reality

This article is based on strong theoretical, logical and professional foundation of the Author. Autism has been a special area of concern for many since Dr. Leo Kanner a Psychiatrist at John's Hopkins University, who wrote the first paper using the term "Autism" in 1943 referring a group of Children who exhibited similar kinds of symptoms related to social, communication and behavioural problems.

Basically the term Autism has been referred to a person exhibiting problems in social abilities and communication. Most of the professionals agree that Autism is a life long developmental disabilities resulting due to gross neurological disorder which affects the functioning of the brain. Prevalence of Autism is said to be one in every 500 people and male female ratio is 4:1. In due course of time based upon the group of symptom exhibited by the children it has been grouped into four types;
1) Aspergers syndrome
2) Rett disorder
3) Heller syndrome
4) Pervasive developmental disorder.

The types of Autism are not based on Etiology but on symptomatology. However there are several theories and hypothesis to explain the cause of Autism such as i) Genetics ii) Viral infection iii) Toxins. Other causes have also been explained to be the caused of Autism such as metabolic disorder etc.

Autism is called as spectrum disorder and necessarily it should occur during early childhood. Spectrum refers to a group of characteristics exhibited in the child and the diagnosis of Autism is based upon these characteristics. However the basic criteria is predominately social factors and communication skills i.e. impaired language development. Apart from these other features such as repetitive behaviour, impaired imitation, lack of eye contact, insistence of sameness, absence of social play, lack of social rule, abnormal response to sensori stimulation, impaired ability to perform special skill et.

The treatment or therapy of Autism is directed towards eliminating the symptoms through planned and structured activities by the therapist. Therapy of Autism is always a team work of Speech and Language Pathologist, Special Educators, Occupational Therapist and Psychologist primarily and other experts such as Physician, neurologists etc.

Whenever a therapy is planned on the basis of symptoms rather than the Etiology it is liable to be less effective and may not give desired out come.

My personal experiences of 32 years and theoretical foundation have given me insight about the Autism in a different way. I have encountered with almost 500 cases with Autism and concluded the most acceptable theory of sensory disintegration with a logical explanation and conclusion.

The theory is based on the cognitive factors derived from the sensory organ of the child. God has gifted us with sensory organs to acquire knowledge on the basis of experiences received from them and develop cognition and act through our motor organs on the basis of our knowledge and cognition.

100% of persons with Autism have difficulty in integrating the sensory input i.e. one sensory organ does not talk to other for gaining experience and knowledge which must happen otherwise. There is a disparity in Etiology and explanation about the symptoms. At one end it is said that Autism is basically a disorder of socialization and communication whereas on the other end it is said that family which is the primary units of society is not responsible for Autism. I do not disagree to the hypotheses which are still waiting to be proved for determination of Etiology. I have experienced no. of incidence of Autism which has increased many fold for the last 20 years. Autism is not an epidemic which is caused by virus or toxin neither the Gene of so many people got defective to have so many children with Autism. A logical interpretation is required before we do something for such kind of disorders, specially labeling them with a problem stating that this is life long problem. Therefore through this article I would like to convey the massage to all concerned that we should not victimize such children for our problems. When we probe into the problem of incidence of Autism there is higher tilt of percentage in families with conflict, or nuclear and both working parents.

Such children are born with intact sensory-motor abilities which requires constant training and integration. Parents now a days are very excited and anxious about their new born baby but not at their personal cost. Sacrifice of family and parents is a must for normal rearing and development of a child. Parents have gone towards the modern way of living in terms of reducing the amount and kind of care and attention required. For example Prams and Aya's have replaced the mother and grannies hands for pseudo status and undisturbed sleep of parents and family members. Grandma's stories have been replaced by cartoon films and video games. mud and soil have been replaced by Johnson Baby Powder and Olive oil, teddy bears and toys have replaced the siblings, cousin and neighbour's children. There are many such examples. These were the traditional methods for training the child for sensory training and sensory-motor co-ordinations. Such training leads to knowledge, cognition social development and performance.

Autism can be concurred by reintroduction of age old methods of parenting and socialization. All the therapeutics and training should focus on independent stimulation of sensory in puts along with coordinating one sensory stimuli to other. Labeling the child creates disappointment and disgrace to parents and family. Therefore focus should be on the aspects of the symptoms through systematic planning according to the natural and traditional child rearing system based on theoretical foundation.

Dr. Manoj Kumar
Former Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
PRESIDENT CUM HON. DIRECTOR
J. M. INSTITUTE OF SPEECH & HEARING
INRAPURI, PO- KESHRI NAGAR
URl: http://www.jminstitute.in

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Signs That Your Child Might Have Asperger Syndrome

We love our kids no matter how annoying and irritating they can be. But we all know that at the end of the day, they still bring us immeasurable joy. But what if your child is somewhat different? What your child displays behavior that is out of the ordinary?

As a parent, it is heartbreaking to know that your child might be special. You are worried for him because he might not survive the real world when he grows up. That is why as early as possible a parent should have the child diagnosed so as to be given a proper treatment early. The parents should be observant on the way their child behaves and if there is something that seems unusual or odd about the child's behavior, they should consult with their pediatrician. This is not to say that the parents should be paranoid about anything that the child does. Being observant is different from being paranoid.

One of the disorders that parents should concern themselves about is the Asperger syndrome. Asperger syndrome belongs to a group of conditions called autism spectrum disorders. Autism is also included in this spectrum for this group refers to developmental disabilities and other disorders that display similar characteristics.

Symptoms in spectrum disorders, such as Asperger and autism, can appear in different combinations. The degree of severity in every diagnosed patient is different. Let us say that two kids are diagnosed with the same disorder but their skills and abilities will differ. Because of this, they physicians have developed general terms to describe children who have similar behaviors within the spectrum. Some of these terms are "low-functioning," "high-functioning," "autistic tendencies," and "pervasive developmental disorder". Children who have been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome have a lot of symptoms in common with "high-functioning autism".

However, it is difficult to differentiate Asperger from other behavioral problems and it is not uncommon for them to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD at first before finally diagnosing it as Asperger syndrome. Therefore, it is best to let a health professional evaluate the symptoms.

These symptoms are:

Minimal social interactions - They have difficulty in fostering or developing friendships but they do not shy away from people unlike those children diagnosed with autism.

Most conversations are about self than others - When a child with Asperger approaches someone, tendency is that child will talk more usually about a certain topic and will voice out his or her personal opinions disregarding the other person.

Repetitive speech - Children with Asperger tend to have scripted or robotic speech.

Does not have "common sense"

Have difficulties with math, writing skills or reading

Has obsession with complex topics - Children with Asperger are usually interested in anything that has patterns. They sometimes make a pattern of their own, too. Some are inclined to music

Cognitive abilities - nonverbal cognitive abilities are average to below average but verbal cognitive abilities are mostly average to above average

Behaviors - Children with Asperger will display some odd behaviors or mannerisms. These will be labeled weird by some people

When these signs are present, bring your child to your doctor so he can be diagnosed properly and can be provided with the proper care and guidance.

Ralph J. Greene enjoys writing for Uniformhaven.com which sells landau scrubs and landau 8555 as well as a host of additional products.

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Autism - No Two Autistic Children Are Alike

Autism is a spectrum disorder and as a result of being one, you cannot group all autistic people into one category. They all have different types and severities of autism. Autism affects their worlds differently. Just like no two people are the same, no two sufferers of autism spectrum disorders are the same. You can have a person with autism who is self sufficient and able to function at a relatively normal level or you can have an autistic individual who is completely reliant on others for help with daily functioning. So what are the general types of autism?

Asperger's syndrome. This is a mild form of autism in which the functioning level of the individual is much the same as those around them. This form of autism also responds quite well to typical therapies and treatments. In some schools of theory this is referred to as "high functioning" autism.

There is also "low functioning" autism in which the personal is severely delayed in social emotional and developmental areas. These children typically have an IQ below 80 and will most likely need assistance all throughout their lives in order to meet their daily needs.

No matter the type of autism a child suffers from, it is important to remember they are just that, children. All children need love and caring in their own ways regardless of any disorders they may have. With the proper support and care even a "low functioning" autistic child can go on to live a happy life full of potential. With the love of a parent they can achieve anything.

An autistic child can be difficult to raise no matter the form of autism they suffer, to help parent your autistic child click here!

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How To Manage Temper Tantrums Of Children With Autism

Children with autism have temper tantrum problems - also called a meltdown, when it happens, they throw themselves on the floor, crying, screaming and kicking as a means of getting across that things are "not right". Normal kids have temper tantrums too, but it's not so difficult to deal with as autistic children. Here's some tips for parents on how to tame "temper tantrum"-like behaviors of children with autism, which also work for normal kids.

1. Transfer the child's attention. When the child shows signs of a tantrum, try to attract his attention to something else that he would be interested in.

2. Ignore the tantrum. For a preschooler, ignore his tantrum but stay where he can see you; for a older child, tell him to return to his own room after he calms down.

3. Control yourself. Set a good example for your child, even in a tantrum, the child is learning from you.

4. Avoiding injury is the top priority during a meltdown. If the child starts to hurt himself or others, you must intervene and move the child to an safer place.

5. Describe the tantrum behavior to your child with "you lost control", not "you are too bad".

6. Find chances to give lavish praise for the appropriate behaviors. Once the child stops the tantrum, praise him for the next appropriate behavior.

7. You can comfort the child, but don't satisfy any unreasonable demands of them.

8. Avoid meltdowns in public places, people who don't know that your child is on autism spetrum will make presumptions about your parenting skills.

Hope these tips are helpful for controlling temper tantrums of autistic children.

http://www.autism-world.com/index.php/2008/04/07/how-to-control-temper-tantrums-of-children-with-autism
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How to Manage Autism Symptoms in Children - A Parent's Guide

Children, in one way or another, have to some extent deficiencies in their social skills and may even exhibit odd behaviors different from their playmates. While these tendencies are quite normal circumstances for some children, repetitive actions may be more likely linked to a developmental disorder. This is what medical science calls autism. Children with autism suffer from lagging development in their behavior, social skills, and communication. Almost all symptoms of autism revolve around communication difficulties. Autistic children may display developmental delays most especially in language and learning. They oftentimes show out-of-order learning sequences like being able to understand complex ideas first before understanding the simple ones. An autistic child may also have poor, social interaction. The child may become withdrawn from people, even from his own parents and siblings. The child may act as if he is in his own world, like preferring to play all by himself. His verbal and nonverbal communication is also affected. One hallmark symptom of a child with autism is doing repetitive movements like spinning, hand flapping, and rocking. He may even exhibit aggressive behavior once frustrated. Understanding these symptoms can help the parents and caregivers to find ways on how to intervene and handle a child with autism.

An autistic child lacks social interaction skills; thus, frequently establishing a conversation may help. At the start, initiating a conversation with an autistic child may seem not easy. An autistic child will either give short replies or no response at all. Make frequent conversations with the child even though the child won't answer back. Show the child that you are patient enough to wait for him. Patience is highly needed when working with children with autism. Set a physical distance if the child seemed agitated by your presence. Give him some space before slowly approaching. When talking to the child, do not tower over him. Sit down and talk because sometimes the adult's height may intimidate an autistic child. Children with autism may develop a lack of trust with other people. Minimize the chances of the child isolating himself. Take him somewhere where he can play with others like the park or playground. Sometimes ungranted wishes may lead to temper tantrums and even aggression. Be consistent with the child. Provide positive reinforcement or rewards like toys when the child shows desired behaviors. Medications like Risperidone are also helpful in managing irritability and aggressiveness. In instances when the child displays bizarre and repetitive actions like head banging, provide safety like letting him wear a helmet to protect himself from undue injury.

Consequently, an autistic child may display odd behaviors and temper tantrums most of the time. It is important that the parents have a lot of knowledge about their child's condition including its symptoms and severity. It is also advisable that the parents seek medical advice regarding their child's health status and be actively involved in giving care to the child. Show him the unconditional love a child deserves to have from his parents. Reward him with hugs and kisses to show he is loved and secure. Foremost, treat the child with autism as a whole being. Do not let the child's condition hinder you from realizing he is a young child with a unique personality.

For more information on Different Types of Diseases, Symptoms and Diagnoses, Please visit: Autism Diagnosis and Symptoms of Autism.

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Does Your Child Have Asperger Autism?

Has your child been diagnosed with Asperger Autism? There are many children who have this disorder and although it may be rough in the beginning it is possible to live with it from now on. Asperger autism is a developmental disorder that can make it hard for your child to interact with people including yourself. When a child is socializing, they may feel out of place and awkward, sort of like you do when you are put on the spot. This is just one of the symptoms of Asperger autism. Other symptoms include a routine that your child does not want changed and socialization skills.

Asperger autism is a disorder that lasts a lifetime. When a child with Asperger becomes an adult they may have more of an understanding about what they are feeling and what they need to do in order to function in the society. They may not be able to handle crowds of people to socialize but they may be able to socialize in a small group. They will also have a better time at communication. A child with Asperger can still talk after the age of two.

Symptoms of Asperger Autism include not relating to others, no interest in others, cannot make eye contact when speaking, loves to have a routine with no changing it, speaks with no high or low pitch in their voice, may be clumsy, display poor body gestures, and may have trouble riding their bike or balancing a certain way.

You will first notice a change in your child's behavior at an early age. You need to make an appointment to talk with your child's doctor first. He may order some tests that will help them understand the symptoms further and help come to a diagnosis of autism.

If your child is diagnosed with this particular autism, you will need to take a few classes as a family to help your child function as normally as possible and to help your family understand what Asperger is. Classes are forming all the time and your doctor's office can also help you locate them.

The autism doesn't have to control your family - you can control it. You need to figure out a routine that your child will be happy with and one that is interchangeable but he or she is still comfortable with. Don't allow them to control the family. Always provide a secure feeling in your home. Let them know that they are loved and they will feel accepted. Love is a large part of security and an integral part of the family life.

Asperger autism is similar to other forms of autism called the spectrum of autism. It includes Retts Syndrome. Each disorder or syndrome has their own sets of symptoms however one thing is the same, there is no cure. You have to learn to live with the syndromes and learn to function as best as you can. You are not alone as you deal with your child's Asperger's autism.

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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Diagnosing Asperger's

If you feel that your child might suffer from Asperger's syndrome, there are many different ways to diagnose it. Most doctors will recommend a full battery of tests that check many different aspects of the child's development. There is no one definitive test that can tell a parent if their child suffers from Asperger's, so an entire group of tests are usually performed for diagnosing Asperger's.

The first step for most kids in getting a proper Asperger's diagnosis is undergoing screening at the doctor's that measures things like cognitive development.

As any mother can tell you, these screenings are completely normal and every child goes through them. It is usually at these screenings that a doctor can tell if there is a problem or not and whether a referral should be made to a specialist.

The second step is actually when your child would be assessed in order to make a diagnosis. This can be carried out by more than one health professional, so it may involve a number of appointments who would want to see your child and also speak in detail to you about their behavior.

The team of doctors that the child will interact with is wide-ranging. It usually includes a speech therapist to determine if the child's language skills are developing correctly, a psychiatrist to help analyze the mental development of the child, a neurologist to look for any problems in the child's nervous system and any other doctors that the child's pediatrician feels is necessary to properly diagnose the child.

The team of doctors and analysts will submit a neurological assessment of the patient, as well as a genetic assessment to see if things like autism of Asperger's runs in the family. The child will also undergo I.Q. tests, tests to judge his psychomotor development, and a complete evaluation of communication skills as well as the ability to maintain eye contact and to understand verbal cues that a healthy child at the same age would react to.

Once all the testing is complete, the test results will be combined with any symptoms that the child is showing and also take the child's developmental history into consideration before making a determination. At this point, a decision is usually made one way or the other.

Asperger's disorder can change the way you and your child live your life, and while it is not nearly as debilitating as a diagnosis of autism, it will impact almost all aspects of your child's life, depending on the severity. He or she can still go on to live a full, enriching and rewarding life, but things socially may be very awkward as years go on.

For more information about symptoms and the various treatments for Asperger's Syndrome sign up for the free newsletter below.

While there is no conclusive proof, it is thought that people such as Albert Einstein and even Sir Isaac Newton might have had Asperger's syndrome. So, diagnosing Asperger's is far from a social death sentence for any child, it just means living your life in a different way than you might have originally imagined.

Sign up for Rachel Evans free Asperger's syndrome newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about Diagnosing Asperger’s. In the newsletter you'll receive regular information like this article on overcoming Asperger's Syndrome along with additional natural treatments to help alleviate symptoms.

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