Autism for the Unitiated

Autism spectrum

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It is estimated that 32,500,000 people have autism in the world. Many people, however, don’t understand what that means. This article is meant to provide an indroductory look at what autism is.

Autism is a neurological development disorder. It is primarily noticed by four main symptoms.

 

Impaired social behavior

Autism impairs individuals from developing socially in the same way that others do. They smile less, don’t make much eye contact and lack response to social stimulation.

Repetitive behavior

Probably the most easily noticed, this symptom occurs in both the body: head-rolling, hand-waving, etc; and in actions: arranging items in a certain, almost as if to certain set rules.

Communication

A lack of communication skills in common in autistic people; tantrums are common and other infantile outburts due to the retarded growth of interpersonal skills. It is extremely important that those who deal with autistic people are patient and loving.

Sameness 

Change can sometimes be very upsetting to those with autism. An almost ritualistic approach and a dedication to order are common.

While none of these by themselves are definite signs of autism, seen together they usually signal something awry. Autism has no known cure at this time. Some people have been known to overcome autism. If you or someone close to you has autism, it is recommended you meet with a physician to determine what needs to be done to alleviate the situation as best as possible. When dealing with an autistic person, again, patience and an outpouring of love are absolutely essential. It should be remembered that an autistic person has not fully developed, despite whatever their size or age may be, and are not on the same mental level as others of their age.

 

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How to Address Autism with Your Pediatrician

Autism is a developmental disorder. Toddlers and young children with autism might exhibit signs of delayed development. Questions that your child’s doctor asks at routine pediatric visits help to determine any autistic characteristics early on in life. However, autism is not easy to diagnose under the age of three. Children also develop at different stages; if your child doesn’t walk by 12 months, for example, this doesn’t necessarily mean that he is autistic. It is important that you know that signs of autism and address any concerns with your pediatrician.

Symptoms of autism vary, but signs can show up in late infancy and before the age of two. Between ages one and two, toddlers are starting to develop language abilities. They say one to two words at a time and then move on to small sentence formations. Autistic children typically have a more difficult time talking, and might instead just repeat what you say. Autistic children prefer to have routines and may seem to be in their own world. Such kids also lack social skills, because they prefer to be alone.

Autism cannot be cured; however, treatments can help your child live a better life and excel easier in school as well as socially. Medications can help your child concentrate and learn easier, although prescriptions for autism are not typically recommended before the age of five. Speech therapy can help improve communication skills, and occupational therapy can improve any delays in physical movements, such as walking. The earlier you address your concerns about autism and your child, the earlier you can help him. Avoiding the issue out of embarrassment will only delay the treatment process.

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Autism Diagnoses for Adults

Major brain structures implicated in autism.

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Autism is a type of disorder that is most prominent during childhood. Infants are difficult to diagnose, because they are still in the early stages of building on their communication and behavioral skills. As children grow older, they develop their own set of skills. This is the stage when autism might be the easiest to detect. Children who have autistic characteristics have a difficult time communicating with other children and adults. In fact, they may hardly talk at all. Autism also makes it difficult to pay attention in class, on the playground as well as at home.

Sadly, some people are not diagnosed with autism until adulthood. Such a late diagnosis is unusual in children today. However, adults that have had autism for decades might be diagnosed now . This is due to the fact that people were not as aware of autism and that there was a misinterpretation of the disorder. In fact, autism was incorrectly diagnosed as mental retardation in some cases.

Treatment for autism varies, as the exact cause of the condition is unknown. Autism might be genetic in some families, though the evidence remains inconclusive. Adults with autism will have to play catch-up in terms of treatment. Treatment involves a combination of medications and therapies. Medications help reduce anxiety and can help improve concentration and overall brain function. Communication therapies help improve your speech and can help you speak with others easier. Therapy can also help improve overall social skills. Autism has no cure, but treatments can help improve your quality of life.

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Encouraging Social Skills for Kids with Autism

One of the common disorders that are a part of the autism spectrum is Asperger’s syndrome. This is where a child has difficulty interacting normally with people. You can teach such a child to interact more normally.

You can start by introducing several activities to your child to encourage her development of social skills. Social stories that revolve around a specific social interaction are one medium. For example, if a child wants to join a group of children playing, a social story will tell her how to go about it. Relational activities help a child register faces. This can be brought about with the help of peek-a-books where a child has to look at the person’s face and thus have some element to relate and remember it. Other such activities include modeling, reading and the use of musical instruments.

Remember that teaching by example is very effective. Whether you see it or not, your child is observing you all the time. How you conduct yourself in the presence of others is extremely important. Sensory integration involves the use of the child’s senses. If the child enjoys a game of tag, encourage them to make eye contact when they tag a person in order for the game to continue.

Meals are also a great time to encourage social skills. You can tell your child to maintain eye contact with the person that is talking to him or who he is talking to, and reward the effort with something they like to eat. You can teach them correct posture at the table as well as encourage them to share events from their day, be it through facial expression or gestures to supplement their words.

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Explaining Autism to Your Child

How you introduce the concept of autism to your child is important and needs to be done carefully. Telling your child about their autistic condition is necessary for them to understand that at some levels, they are different from others. Not telling your child will only lead to doubts at later stages when the differences become evident to the child himself. One thing most parents want to know is when the right time to tell a child is. Well, there is no hard and fast rule on this. Each child develops differently and it is up to the parents to decide when it is the right time to tell their child.

The older your child gets the more questions he will have like “Why am I different?”, “Why can’t I be normal?”, “Will medicine cure me?” or even “Why do people treat me differently?” When such questions arise, it is time you sit your child down and try to explain things to her in the best way possible.

What you tell your child is as important as when you tell him. The autism spectrum is wide and it includes several disorders that can be complex. The diagnosis for each child is unique. Going into the details is not necessary. Most parents are unsure of where to begin. The best thing to do is deal with the questions that your child is asking and then move on from there. Draw the line at where you feel he has had enough to process. As your child gets older, there will be more questions for you and a better understanding from the child. This will help you along the way.

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Helping Your Autistic Teen Cope with Puberty

Puberty can be a trying time for a regular teen and his parents. For youngsters with autism, things can be even more complicated. Parents are often worried about how to cope with the situation and prefer to leave it on a back burner. Fact is, whether you are dealing with an autistic child or not, educating them about sex is an important task.

Many parents fear that puberty may lead to regression in their autistic teen. However, you need not worry too much about this. Allow your teen to grow naturally and teach them to respect their body. Explain to them, in a manner you see fit about sexuality. For the most part, teach your child to be safe and work towards keeping them safe.

Studies have shown that it is not impossible for an autistic child to deal with puberty. The central idea here is to be available to your child when he has questions and when you know something is on his mind. Help him resolve issues that seem to worry him. Include these moments of teaching throughout your daily activities with your child so that he does not get an information overdose.

Your pediatrician can be a good resource when it comes to techniques and methods of handling puberty for an autistic teen. Explain to girls, how their body will be undergoing changes. Remember that it takes some level of delicacy when broaching this subject. With the help of your doctor and your family, helping your autistic teen into puberty will not be as terrifying as you may have pictured.

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Choosing a School for Your Autistic Child

Just like any other parents, the parents to an autistic child will come to a time when it is necessary to put their little one in school. An organized program along with home training is what will help in improving levels of interaction and the like. It will also help teach independence to a certain extent. Your local autistic help center will be able to provide you with information on schools that follow the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). It will also help you with schools that provide speech as well as occupational therapy.

As you are doing your research, you will find that there are several schools from which you can choose. Friendly advice will abound and this too will add to the list you have. When you are trying to narrow down, speak to parents of children who are already in schools to see what they have to say. This will give you an idea of what different schools are like.

Schools in-district may provide you with a good curriculum but the particular school may be out of your zone. In such cases, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act will arrange transportation. Therefore, distance should not be an issue. You could also consider an out of district set up, this could be a center or a private school. You also have to choose between public and private schools. However, this is something you will have to settle on after a personal evaluation of both.

If you are looking at non-public schools, then they will have to fall within your region. Once again, acceptance into these schools is based on the management’s decision. There are several charter schools for you to explore too. Keeping these basic school concepts in mind should help in narrowing down the spectrum of autistic schools that would best suit your child.

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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.

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Adults With Autism

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 27: A man mends a c...

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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).

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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.

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