Help With Autism

We always talk about how hard it is to diagnose autism because it encompasses such a wide spectrum of disorders. Insurance companies have traditionally used this as a loophole to avoid giving coverage (surprise, surprise). But on the heels of the nationwide health care reform bill, some states have been empowered to take matters into their own hands when it comes to raising autism awareness and advocating for their rights.

Both New Hampshire and Massachusetts have recently signed bills into law requiring insurance companies to offer more coverage for treatments. You can plan on the insurance companies to take measures to subsidize these costs, of course, but it’s still an important step forward in the battle to combat autism. And with all of the new findings pertaining to treatment and diagnoses of the disorder, it’s essential to ensure people are covered.

One of the biggest obstacles in raising autism awareness is the fact that so little is known about the disease. Despite ongoing efforts from doctors and researchers around the globe, the causes and effective treatments for autism have eluded medical professionals. A new breakthrough, however, gives some hope to solving the autism enigma.

New research has led to the first genetic link to autism, indicating that alterations in brain connections could be the cause of up to 15 percent of autism cases. It will take time, of course, for researchers to use these findings to begin developing appropriate treatments, but it is an unequivocal step in the right direction. DNA from more than 12,000 people was used in the studies, which are being published in Molecular Psychiatry and the journal Nature.

For children on the autism spectrum, being misunderstood, neglected and underestimated is unfortunately par for the course. It’s up to parents to change that pattern by recognizing the symptoms of a potential disorder and getting it diagnosed by a trusted pediatrician. But what’s the next step after diagnosis? Parents can pursue a number of treatment options – some of them designed to rid the child of the disorder and others meant to make the best of the situation.

It’s especially important that parents alert their child’s teacher about the disorder and that they discuss ways to address it in a classroom setting. Social alienation is not uncommon for kids on the spectrum as they do not always respond normally to spoken language or imaginative play. Depending on the disorder, the child might demonstrate a compulsion for routines and predictability.

Once autism awareness is obtained, it might be time to explore some treatment options. Some studies have shown that mercury poisoning contracted from exposure to childhood vaccines could play a part in the onset of autism. If this is the case, it’s possible the heavy metal came from thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. Methods exist for drawing toxic metals out of the body and restoring normal mental functions.

As most parents of an autistic child would readily attest, the disorder makes kids very particular and oftentimes compulsive about the smallest organizational details. In the mind of an autistic child, order and predictability are very important. Even slight deviations from the norm can be upsetting, and they can set behavioral patterns back as well. That’s why decorating an autistic child’s bedroom is such a delicate process.

Pamela Downing of the Brownsville Herald suggests a few tips for attempting the task. The idea, according to Downing, is to keep the room’s organization simple and well defined. Depending on the child’s age, a play center and work area should be set apart and even labeled if necessary. The play center will be the area where the child plays with his favorite toys, and the work center should be used for completing homework assignments, using a computer and so on.

It’s crucial for parents to seek out as much autism education as possible in order to learn about how to cope with the disorder. Making special accommodations – like the setup of a bedroom – isn’t the half of it, however. Parents should explore treatment options even outside the realm of traditional medicine, always searching for a treatment that’s effective for their child. Remember that the earlier autism is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated and its effects reversed.

The birth of a child is supposed to be one of the highlights of a mother’s life. It offers her a chance to display a whole new side – that of caregiver and nurturer. Unfortunately, the joys of childbirth are occasionally tempered by disturbing circumstances. When children are found to have birth defects, parents immediately think of all of the special care and costs associated with the condition.

Although the precise cause of most birth defects is difficult to pinpoint, there are a number of well-known risk factors that have been shown to be contributors. For example, women with high rates of exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy put their unborn children at significant risk. The effects of birth defects mercury poisoning causes are lasting and far-reaching.

Luckily, the general awareness about mercury and its dangers to humans is more widespread these days than ever before. Mercury exposure is rare, but an overabundance of seafood – especially shark, swordfish, halibut, salmon and canned tuna – can cause harm to pregnant women. After childbirth, it’s crucial that parents pay close attention to the vaccines their kids receive. Mercury has been used as a vaccination preservative in the past, and parents can never be too careful.

In the past, we’ve explored the mental and emotional toll that an autism diagnosis can take on parents and the victims themselves. But this leaves out another group of individuals who also bear a considerable strain from dealing with the disorder indirectly. Siblings – especially when they’re young – require attention and education in order to fully cope with the realities of the situation.

Brothers and sisters of autistic children generally have two major difficulties in coping with their affected sibling: first, they feel jealousy as the parents are focusing more attention on the autism sufferer. Second, they might feel embarrassment when an autistic brother or sister comes in contact with their friends or peers. These reactions are natural, and it’s important for parents to discuss them frankly with their children.

Autism awareness is especially important as it relates directly to siblings. Parents should tailor the information they provide their kids according to age and maturity level. There’s no need to go into medical detail about the disorder if you’re addressing a 5-year-old, for example. Likewise, a preteen will need a thorough, detailed explanation. In the end, your family will be happier and better adjusted as a result of learning about autism, its symptoms and potential treatments.

For parents who recognize autistic symptoms in their child, it’s important to avoid jumping to conclusions before speaking with a doctor. The fact is, mild cases of autism are often misdiagnosed, even by doctors, and it’s important that autism be diagnosed by well informed individuals. Before having a child, all parents should have some amount of autism awareness. While autism doesn’t often manifest until the child is two or three, parents need to be aware of the symptoms and be prepared to consult a doctor. There are several other conditions that have similar symptoms when compared to autism, but are not autism. Because autism is a complex disorder with several different characterizations along the autism spectrum, parents should be aware of their child’s specific needs. Autism treatments are quite different depending on the child’s needs, and catering to their specific needs should be the goal of all treatments.

For parents who believe their child might have been misdiagnosed with autism, don’t be afraid to consult a different doctor. There is no reason to assume all doctors will have the same opinion, and there’s always a chance the condition could be better treated by a different doctor.

Slated for a July 29th, 2009 release, “Adam” is a film about Adam, a man who lives with Asperger’s Syndrome, and his affection towards the woman of his dreams, Beth.  The film premiered this year at the Sundance Film Festival and took home the Alfred P. Sloan Prize, which is awarded to films that feature science and technology as a theme.

In a way, the film will encourage autism awareness, as Hollywood luminaries like Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy continue to be activists in the real world, “Adam” may look into the humanist side of things.

Since the 1970s, Americans have been celebrating National Autism Awareness month in April.  While April 2nd is considered to be World Autism Day, the entire month is an excellent time for parents, teachers, and all adults to familiarize themselves with autism.  Autism is one of the fastest growing developmental disabilities in the U.S., affecting about 1 in 150 children.  With that figure in mind, every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with a disorder in the autism spectrum.  Autism is more common that juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer, and AIDS combined.  It’s important to emphasize autism awareness during the month of April because so many children who are affected with autism might not be diagnosed right away. 

Recognizing the symptoms of autism in the early years of a child’s life will allow them to start receiving the needed treatment.  Children who are diagnosed early have a much better chance of being molded into functional adults.  The brain develops more in the early stages of life, and children who receive treatment can develop their brain despite an autism affliction and move forward with their disability.

There are various different opinions about the causes of autism and the best kinds of treatment, but one truth is assured, autism is genetic.  Siblings of autistic children are more than fifty times more likely to show signs of autism or Asperger’s syndrome (a mild form of autism).  Scientists have estimated there are between 3 and 20 different genes that contribute to increased risk for autism.  While it’s more difficult to predict risk for autism prior to it being recognized in a child, parents should be aware that having more children after having a child diagnosed with autism poses a risk. 

It’s a good idea to browse through the articles on autism from various publications before having children, and identify whether your child’s risk for autism before conception.  Autism runs in some families, and medical professionals can often identify risk based on genetic heritage; those families with no history of autism will have an obvious decreased risk, but this is not the only contributing factor.