Another World

How to Introduce Yourself to an Autistic Child

It is common for most people to be uncomfortable around others suffering from disabilities. This becomes quite acute when in the presence of a child. If you know you are going to meet a child with autism for the first time, here are some thoughts that will help insure success in the process.

The first thing you need to do is learn everything you can about Autism. Each child with autism is different. While such a child may not be able to function normally in one area, he is usually blessed with another heightened faculty of which most of us are incapable. However, sometimes this can work to their disadvantage. Children with autism can be sensitive to loud noises, touch and sudden movements. You need to find out in advance and privately from the parents what these are so that you are careful around the child.

When you meet the child, make sure that you look at him or her and say hi. It doesn’t matter if she or he is not looking at you. Their senses are sure to be aware of any strong discomfort you have Treat the child with respect and don’t automatically assume that he will need help for everything. This can hurt not only the child but the parents as well who are working really hard to have their child lead a normal life.

If the child gets upset in your presence, stand in the background and ask the parents if there is anything you can do to help. Sometimes doing nothing at all is the best thing for the child. There are times you may see the child do something you find strange like flapping her hands or walking on her tiptoes. Don’t make a big deal out of it. Just go with the flow.

Filed Under: Autism, Causes · Tagged With: Autism, Autism spectrum, Child

Adults With Autism

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Adults with autism face the normal challenges of transitioning from youth to young adulthood. They also have to factor in the challenges that their autism entails. Although the transition can be a challenge, it can occur successfully.

Autistic adults can live meaningful and purposeful lives and contribute to their families and communities.

Generally the public school system is responsible for persons with autism until they reach the age of 22 years old. This means until then, an autistic person can qualify for programs and services offered through the state’s educational system.

As parents raise children with autism, they should look ahead to the future and evaluate their children’s capabilities. Then they can determine the best path to follow after high school.

Some adults with autism can function very well on their own—living on their own, working, and taking on responsibilities. They may encounter challenges along the way with communication and social situations. It is important for co-workers, employers, family, and friends to be supportive, lend help where it is needed, and to be optimistic about the situation.

For those not eligible for main stream employment there are other options. An adult with autism can evaluate their skills and offer services for pay on an hourly basis. There is also the option of working in employment organizations specifically for employees who have autism or other disabilities. Adults can still perform simple to complex work for pay.

An adult with autism also needs to consider living accommodations. There is a wide variety of options from independent housing arrangements to living at home to living in a supervised group home with other adults with disabilities. If an autistic child chooses to live on his or her own, there is the option of having a friend, family member, or professional come in to assist where needed, such as with finances or paperwork for government agencies offering help. If the adult chooses to live at home, there are financial means available through the government to help out. One such example is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Filed Under: Autism, Health · Tagged With: Adult, Autism spectrum, Mental Health

Save Money on Autism Treatments

Maneuvering the world of autism and all that it entails may seem a challenge for both those new to autism and those very familiar with it. Parents hope to find the best possible treatments for their children to best meet their child’s needs and abilities.

When parents look at the price of therapy, it may be a complete shock. With the current economic conditions, the budget is always on the back of people’s minds. Do not worry though; there are tricks to keeping costs down and saving money. Realize that some research, time, and creativity may be needed, but it is possible to treat your child appropriately without having to pay $70,000 or more a year.

The first place to start is with your insurance company. Review your insurance policy and consult with an insurance representative. If possible, tweak your plan or change to another plan that is more cost-efficient for autism therapy and treatment, then do so. If you hit a brick wall, keep trying or approach other health care funding resources. There are means to financially assist you and your child, it may just take some time and energy to discover what will work best.

Next, use resources and programs that are close to home. Much cost can be accumulated through travel expenses, such as gas money, hotels, food costs, etc. Get acquainted with the school district’s state programs or local medical programs specifically for autism. Find out what other local parents are doing for their autistic children. With one in every 110 children being diagnosed with autism, you need not feel alone in your search for a low-cost, high-quality solution.

Consider trading services with a local therapist. If you find a quality therapist who seems to be an excellent fit for your child’s challenges, then discuss a service swap rather than a money for service exchange. If you have skills in plumbing, construction, interior decorating, or web design, offer your skills in exchange for the therapist’s work. While it may not cover the entire cost, it may down-size the price giving your more financial ease.

Filed Under: Autism, Treatments · Tagged With: Autism, Autism spectrum, Autism therapies

Learning of Your Child’s Special Needs

The birth of a new baby is one of the highlight events of any parent’s life. Each parent cherishes those precious moments as a child grows and develops.

Although parenthood is extremely stressful and at times more challenging than many like, it is very rewarding. The regular roller-coaster emotions that parents go through as they strive to raise the next generation with love and discipline, could compete with any amusement park thriller ride.

Add in special needs or a disability though, and one may feel the parenting ride is overwhelming. As a parent starts to notice unusual behavior or notes that their child doesn’t respond as other children do, this may seem like a cause for alarm.

The first thing parents need to recognize that all children come unique with different talents and abilities. This is why when you bring your child to the doctor’s office; they are comparing your child’s progress to percentages. It is a subjective comparison. Do not jump to conclusions immediately, but take careful account of symptoms and behaviors that may be different.

Next do some research. For example, if your child’s language or social skills are lacking at a young age, it is possible he or she are a candidate for autism. Take time to research the various possibilities. While searching for causes is helpful, sometimes it can distract from the present problem and focusing on a solution.

Once you have conducted thorough research and found a diagnose, accept this head-on. It is natural to feel some denial or even frustration/anger at learning that your child is developmentally different than other children. As in the case of autism, you do not need to feel alone or extremely different though. It is more common than you know. With an acceptance of reality, you can face the problem head on.

Do not put all your eggs in one basket and focus all your energy on one of your child’s symptoms or one treatment. Rather spread your net as wide as possible to learn all you can and to benefit from varying resources.

Filed Under: Health, Parents · Tagged With: Autism spectrum, Parent, Social skill

Grandparenting an Autistic Child

Autism is a very common diagnosis among American children. As parents and children learn of this diagnosis and make strides forward it is important for extended family and friends to lend support, help, and encouragement along the way. This is especially true for grandparents.

The family relationship that a grandparent and grandchild share is a very special one that is like no other. Unlike parents who are mainly responsible for discipline and the everyday tasks of rearing a child, a grandparent plays more of a role of cheerleader, friend, and mentor. While this may not be applicable in all grandparent-grandchild relationships, grandparents need to recognize the special position they are in to help an autistic grandchild.

Remember that you may be able to offer learning experiences or needed words of encouragement that mean more to a child because they come from you. Take advantage of your time to learn about autism and take opportunities to really get to know your grandchild. Although he or she may behave differently, it is important to recognize the differences and then move on. Children do not want a label hanging over their heads—one that is brought up every time a child is identified.

Recognize and praise special talents or abilities the child has. Find useful developmental toys that the grandchild can play with in your home to strengthen his or her motor and language skills. Learn how you can better help the child through interactive play and social situations.

Also remember that as much as the autistic child needs your love and support, so do his or her parents. This may be a challenge for them and they will appreciate your support. It is best to offer a listening ear and offer encouragement and optimism. You may offer advice or recommend treatments or share signs of symptoms you see, but be ready to take a step back if needed. Parents often want to be the ones in control and want to make their own decisions. Let the autistic child’s parents know that you will support their choices and are only offering an opinion.

Filed Under: Autism, Parents · Tagged With: Autism spectrum, Child, Family

Pregnancy and Drug Abuse

The outreaching effects of alcohol can take more of a toll on the body than most people realize. When drugs and alcohol enter the bloodstream, they can remain in that person’s system for hours or even days at a time. The side-effects of the drugs can linger on in the body and cause even more issues. For instance, a pregnant woman who abuses drugs and alcohol may produce a child who is dependent on the drugs. Essentially addicted, weaning the child from the drugs in their system may require the same course(s) of treatment that it would take for an adult, but since the child is much smaller than an adult and weighs significantly less, the side effects are greater and the child experiences more of them and more frequently.

Developing fetuses are harmed by drug abuse behavior. Their bodies, lungs, and growth pattern are often disproportionately affected and their growth may be stunted. Their organs may have a hard time coping with the aggressive, foreign material that pulsates through its veins, and eventually they will be overcome with the effects, and will then need some type of treatment. The fetus may also experience problems outside of the womb with quivering, shaking, and nervous habits that are a result of the drug and/or alcohol dependency. In later years, children who were once exposed to drugs as a fetus may experience learning problems, developmental delays, and issues with healthy social interaction.

If someone who is pregnant and has an addiction to abusive substances, they should seek immediate help from drug and alcohol treatment centers to alleviate the abusive issues that they are dealing with. Professional treatment facilities specialize in helping patients find alternative solutions to their dependency, finding other coping mechanisms, and in extreme cases like pregnant mothers abusing drugs, the treatment facility may choose to use alternative methods to help the patient and their loved ones find success.

Filed Under: Health, Treatments · Tagged With: Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, Substance dependence

Types of Treatments

If you are a parent that has recently learned that your child has autism, you may feel overwhelmed by the situation and the many decisions that need to be made. Educating yourself about the disease, its symptoms, and treatments will help you better determine the best solution for your child.

There are many treatments, both traditional and cutting-edge that can assist in treating your child’s autism. It is important to recognize that there is no one-cure-fits-all. Many families try an assortment of treatments, and they find it helpful to use various treatments together. While there is not yet a sure cure of the disease, many treatments have been extremely successful in helping children develop and function well in society.

The first type of treatments are those that are traditional basic therapies that are time-tested and time-proven to give good results. Among these are such therapies as play therapy, speech and language therapy and physical therapy. As these are tailored to your child’s needs, they may prove helpful.

Another approach to treating autism is that of recreational and artistic therapy. As a parent, you most likely will not find these treatments being offered by your school district or your state’s regional autism center. Do not write them off though. Such therapy as drama therapy, art therapy or music therapy can be a fun and engaging method for helping your child develop needed-skills. Such therapy can engage your child and give them appropriate creative-out-lets at the same time they are practicing healthy behaviors.

Lastly, there are always new and upcoming autism treatments available. Some such treatments have parents hopeful for new and improved results. Some of these treatments are quite expensive, so it is important to learn what you are getting in to before taking the plunge.

As you research different treatments and use trial and error, you are sure to find the best fit for your child.

Filed Under: Autism, Treatments · Tagged With: Autism, Autism spectrum, Autism therapies

Service Dogs for Autistics

You have no doubt observed seeing eye dogs working in the service of the blind. However, service animals are now being employed by people with a number of other disabilities, including autism. How do you know if a service animal can help you or your family member? There are many services that place dogs with autistic children. Some of them introduce the dogs to their clients as puppies, and some wait until the dog is 2 years old and fully trained to be of service. The dogs are trained to follow a variety of commands, provide companionship, and even do things like find the child when he or she has wandered away. Service dogs are not regarded as pets, but their love and companionship for the autistic client is very important to their function as an animal in service. Service dogs are especially helpful for children who might not respond to their name on a consistent basis, and who are prone to disappearing.

Not all families who request dogs will receive them. Placement will depend upon the impulse control of the autistic client, the environment where the family lives, and the autistic child’s school and its willingness to cooperate with the placement of the dog. The dog provides unconditional love for a child who may otherwise have a hard time finding acceptance among his peers. Parents whose children have benefited from these placements report that their child is calmed by the dog, that the dog acts as a willing ‘transitional object’ that provides the child with a greater degree of independence, and that in some cases, the animal’s presence eases many of the repetitive behaviors and outbursts associated with their child’s autism. Since these animals require special training and care, it typically costs $15,000-20,000 to adopt a service dog. Fundraising options are available through many organizations. Service dogs may be a good option for your autistic family member.

Filed Under: Autism · Tagged With: Service Dogs

An Overview of Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is a charity and advocacy group that began in 2005. The group seeks to raise funds for research about autism prevention, treatment, and causes. They hold fundraising Walk Events throughout the United States and Canada. They provide informational resources for families with autistic relatives and they support research that is all about autism. They recently partnered with members of the public health research community to characterize a possible Somali-American autism cluster in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a charity, they have received two stars out of a possible four-star rating from Charity Navigator, which rates organizations on the basis of several criteria, including fiscal responsibility and efficiency.

Autism Speaks provides a wide variety of services, including a summer camp especially for autistic children and a fund for emergencies for people affected by autism. Some families are very happy with the services provided by this relatively new organization, and some are not. Like many organizations, Autism Speaks is active in the realm of social networking. Its Facebook Fan Page has over 240,000 fans, many of whom have very positive things to say about the resources that Autism Speaks provides regarding health care funding issues, therapy, and other concerns. However, some critics have charged that Autism Speaks has a history of sending mixed messages about the vaccine-autism controversies that were motivated more by political concerns than science. Some autistics have stated that Autism Speaks is excessively negative about the condition and is not accepting of autism as a fact of life for many. They say there is too much emphasis on curing autism and not enough on listening to the everyday concerns of those who live with it. They feel that more autistic people should be represented on the charity’s Board of Directors, rather than others who are more removed from the issue. In any case, this organization is commanding a lot of attention, so autistics and their families may do well to find out more.

Filed Under: Autism · Tagged With: Autism Speaks