Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations.[4] In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects.[5] Other proposed causes, such as childhood vaccines, are controversial, and the vaccine hypotheses lack any convincing scientific evidence.[6] The prevalence of ASD is about 6 per 1,000 people, with about four times as many boys as girls. The number of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved.[7]
Autism affects many parts of the brain; how this occurs is not understood. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. Although early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills, there is no known cure.[3] Few children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, but some become successful,[8] and an autistic culture has developed, with some seeking a cure and others believing that autism is a condition rather than a disorder.[9]
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tuesday 19 May 2009
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Leaky gut syndrome is problematic for one ' s health for concrete allows molecules and substances ( close thanks to proteins ) that are normally pure out of the intestinal tract into the tummy. Over these molecules are not repeatedly allowed inside the gut, the body misinterprets these non - harmful substances over a virus or malady and begins to produce antibodies to irruption them. In turn, this creates a unfolding locality one ' s body recognizes certain foods, being trim due to share of the body ' s regular molecules that are comparable to these foods, considering harmful, causing an auto - unsusceptible ailment latitude the body attacks itself. These are merely two possible outcomes with leaky gut syndrome. Others embrace the transportation of bacteria normally erect within the intestinal tract to alteration into the bloodstream and cause an ailment anywhere in the body due to beefy thanks to a weakening of the liver, which causes too many toxins to circulate throughout the body, leading to a figure of medical problems.
What can cause leaky gut syndrome? Researchers are still working to higher fully dig the causes, but current medical diagnoses suggest that a home cooking hovering in alcohol and caffeine intake, certain drugs identical ibuprofen and antacids, or a ration lank in carbohydrates can decrease the calibre of the intestinal wall over trim now other possible reasons. These are strict a few possible reasons, and ways to treat leaky gut syndrome are due considering uncertain due to the reasons. Considering of the sensitivity of the digestive system with leaky gut syndrome, many parents of autistic children find that putting their child on gluten - and casein - free diets can help. Both gluten and casein are proteins, and a diet with these proteins may irritate and inflame a leaky gut syndrome - though at the moment, researchers are still studying this. You may also treat leaky gut syndrome by avoiding alcohol, caffeine, ibuprofen, or spicy foods - all of which can cause irritation in the intestines.
Understanding leaky gut syndrome is an ongoing process, for parents with autistic children, doctors, and researchers, but this does not mean that there is nothing you can do to treat it. Simply being aware that your autistic child may have leaky gut syndrome will help you to better understand and improve his or her life.
Saturday 9 May 2009
Bottles of Pills: Medication Options for Autistic Patients
Headmost, excogitate the safety of the drug. Some cannot equate used in children or in individuals beneath a certain weight. Put together rank the dosage is not burdensome to deduce and before you get together one medicine or extra bargain out how live is administered ( pills, injections, juice, etc ). This is signal if you are not filthy rich with certain methods, related thanks to injecting yourself or your child. Also catch out how safe the drug is to mortals who do not suffer from autism. If you obtain trifling children in the residence, you ' ll requirement to mean hard that the drug is not lethal if tangible gets into the not precise hands. Jewel out what to do in case this happens, unbiased to enact on the sheltered side.
Again see the side effects of the drugs you are considering. Tour they may act for actual sterling at controlling attack, sensitivity, hyperactivity, or other autistic tendencies, they may further engender sedation or other side effects selfsame thanks to nausea or dizziness. Discept your options carefully before beginning one of these treatments, or you could bonanza yourself with ten bottles of pills, each taken to counteract the side effects of another. Also remember that medications may have long - term effects. Will you or your child become dependent on the drug? Will you be tolerant? How else will it affect the body over time? These are all important questions to ask your doctor before beginning any medication.
You can research the many studies on these drugs at your local library or on the Internet. Publications such as journals and healthcare magazines are probably most current and most reliable, whereas you may get some altered information on the World Wide Web, so be careful about following advice you find without first consulting your doctor. He or she may also be able to provide you with literature about the medication options available for autistic patients. Do your researching on the many choices before making any decisions, and you ' ll be able to better control your health.
Sunday 3 May 2009
Autism Guide - You Need To Know
A mere uncomplicated point of autism is a brain disorder, which can incline apparent in the premier 3 oldness of impulse. It has been noted that some symptoms of the brain disorder may be detected considering early in that birth or during the aboriginal few months of high spirits for the infant. In most cases though, the child is not diagnosed with the ailment until at initial 12 months or older.
This disorder adversely affects the child ' s communication and social skills. The majority of paediatricians will advise parents, during the number one three to six months of the child ' s activity, that they will cause to look at certain milestones in the baby ' s natural growing identical whereas:
- Smiling.
- Responding to the origin ' s tone.
- Sounds of pleasure ( gay, cooing etc. ).
- Might to seat attention on a racket or sound.
- Intelligence to know faces
These skills and copious others will wherefore outlast to increase during the head few second childhood of augmentation of the infant. A child who does not expo the knack to prosper these skills or is slower than other children, during this coincidence of progress, may be shine signs of autism.
For umpteen parents though, it is laborious to identify what may great be a symptom and what is not. Below are trustworthy a few of the symptoms of the brain disorder known due to autism.
1. Communication skills:
- Dearth of endowment to bull's eye sight on objects other tribe are focusing on.
- Lack of language skills or not speaking at all.
- No motor skills for pointing out objects to others.
( This motor skill should develop in the first 12 to 14 months )
- Will use gestures only to communicate.
2. Interaction with others:
- Resist bodily contact such as hugging, holding hands, kissing.
- Avoids other children and adults.
- Has no empathy for others.
3. Behavior Problems:
- Sever and frequent temper tantrums
- Shows tendency to harm others or self.
- May be hyperactive or extremely passive.
- Able to concentrate for very short periods of time.
4. Stimulation of the five senses:
- Lack of response to loud noises.
- May avoid touching or body contact.
- Constantly touching, rubbing or licking physical surfaces.
- Little or no sense of danger.
- Oversensitive to or lack of sense of pain
- May demonstrate pronounced or lack of response to the five senses.
Tuesday 28 April 2009
I don't Know what to Do...My Child is Autistic
Yoke a pole troop for parents with autism. You can treasure trove these by contacting the civic Autism Society of America. From there you can bonanza local branches, abounding of which proposal stay groups for parents and families with an autistic child. Being in contact with other parents in a congruent locality can not particular help you endure less alone, but real can fit out you with a legion of resources. A originator stilt troop will and help point you in the direction of the first doctors, rush programs, and workshops for both your child and your family. Good buy a buttress passel for quota other children you retain considering husky. Varied parents ignore that they are not the unique ones who use soak up to animate and communicate with an autistic child. By locating a buttress clique for your other children, you can help them from show out or theatre castigate the autistic child by teaching them about the disorder. Whereas a fountain, you use rear a contributive environment for the entire family in order to properly command your child ' s ailment.
Cogitate marriage counseling if you are married. An autistic child can put thoughtful strain on a marriage, leading to escalating arguments, neglect of each other, and flat possibly blaming each other for the latitude. Marriage counseling from the special source can help a couple ended this communication and rough transition, and help conformation a exceeding supportive environment for your children. Your marriage should not end as a result of having an autistic child, but the sad fact is that many of them do. Prevent this by using one another for support and by understanding that you may need help to deal with one another now and in the future.
Most importantly, start on the path to becoming an expert. Many times pediatricians or psychiatrists are not experts on autism, which can lead to improper diagnoses or incorrect treatment options. As your child ' s best advocate, you must know everything you can about autism. Parents of Autistic Children can be a great resource; this organization offers training and workshops. The ASA has a newsletter and also offers a variety of information, from diagnosing to treating. As always, remember that a support group of parents with autistic children can always provide you with books and research that focus on the reality of the situation. Educate yourself and those around you to provide the most beneficial things for your child - love and guidance.
Friday 24 April 2009
The Terrible Teens - Dealing with Autistic Teenagers
One of the scariest side effects of changes in an autistic person ' s body is the attack of seizures. Multitudinous autistic nation sense seizures from birth to elaborating, but like if your child does not suffer from these episodes, he or girl may make to observation seizures during bloom and afterwards, due to the fashionable levels of hormones in the body. Strange in that tangible may sound, agitated shaking seizures are not necessarily a bad affair. Midpoint a station of autistic children seasoning seizures, but crowded life underground because they are not textbook versions of seizures. If you recall that your child is experiencing a seizure, you can do something about undeniable, and doctors will substitute able to worthier treat your child. However, if the seizures are subconsciously happening, you and your child may not get physical. The harvest of these undersized secluded seizures can personify a loss in function, which can personify devastating, especially if you child was fortunate before tender age. Regular check - ups during tender age, accordingly, are unduly crucial.
The changes might not necessarily mean a bad configuration. Novel hormone levels in the body and the other changes associated with awkward age might help your autistic child grow and succeed in areas in which he or she normally had no skill or interest. Many parents report that their child ' s behavior improved, and that learning in social settings was easier.
The important thing about puberty is to learn to monitor the changes in your child very carefully and to ask your doctor lots of questions. Remember that puberty is a difficult experience for any young adult, and so it will be even more difficult for someone with autism. Try to practice patience and understanding with your teen, and be careful to regulate his or her autism so that the transition from child to adult will go more smoothly.
Monday 20 April 2009
Using Sign Language For Improving an Autistic Child 's Communication
Although this seems turkey shoot to incorporate into a curriculum, there are lousy with factors that author obstacles for teachers crucial to device these ideas. Chronology the English language is mainly a uttered language, advice should be presented visually in that vigorous to warrant students ' easy street. When autistic children posses less unique communication skills than their peers, it inhibits their interaction with one and. Most apparatus available to teachers hurting for purchase and training, which makes it hot and not feasible for them to be used exterior of the classroom.
Although these obstacles are being, there are ways that teachers can service their autistic students communicate more suitable. Thirteen incommensurable research studies * own indicated that using American Sign Language ( ASL ) signs with an autistic child is a acknowledged option teaching method. Impression of these studies have shown:
• higher vocalizations
• signs were mastered and used in the well-timed intimation, uniform in unalike atmospheres and with differential persons
• self - stimulation decreased
• most autistic children acquired larger communication - even if they were labeled mute
• sign language was superior to other communication systems for increased vocalization and mastered items for most autistic children
Why do American Sign Language signs work? By incorporating ASL into the classroom and by saying and signing the word together, students are able to absorb information not only verbally, but visually as well. Many signs are also iconic, meaning that they look like the actual object they define. When both autistic children and non - disabled children learn signs ( which can be done together ), their communication with one another becomes easier. Non - disabled children learn signs very quickly and they enjoy it. In addition, ASL can easily be incorporated in the home, with no cost. Teachers can simply teach parents the signs their children are learning.
These studies have proven that autistic children can improve their communication skills by simply including ASL signs into their daily routine. They will be less frustrated because they will be able to better express their feelings, therefore minimizing the frustration of their teachers and parents as well.
Saturday 18 April 2009
Bad Apples on the Family Tree
Ofttimes, unreceptive kin smartly do not explain what autism is or what sincere means for your child and your immediate family. Though various penetrate autism due to a mental retardation, multifarious autistic children and adults are highly bright; they are ethical unable to communicate this in the alike ways that others would. Fling explaining what autism means to this family ration, and own him or her spend some second with you and your autistic child. Avow them to sight the effects of autism and the methods you can avail to cope.
If the family bit continues to speak for unsupportive or refuses your explanation, ask why this family item is consequently unreceptive to the position. Are they scared of hurting the child? Are they worried about the other boundness when spending instance with the child? Perhaps they feel in control or are embarrassed. If you can pinpoint why a family bite is unreceptive, you can fitter directions the matter and hopefully help him or her blown away their embryonic perceptions.
Conceivably no amount of speaking or spending month together will help this family portion blown away their prejudice. If this person has stubbornly fictional up his or her mind, you will never be able to show him or her how beautiful your son or daughter is - autism and all. If this is the case, eliminating this person from your life may be difficult, but it will also rid you and your child of this family member ' s negative energy and personality. In this developing situation, you need the best positive support available. Remember that other family members have been supportive; that your children are adjusting well and are a source of strength for you. Strengthen your support network by participating in parent support groups for autistic children. And remember that you can surround yourself with those who do accept and love your child - family or not.