Help With Autism

Most vaccinations no longer use the preservative thimerosal, with the exception of some flu vaccinations. This makes expectant parents, even those who plan on immunizing their children, wary of getting a flu shot. Research has indicated that it is still advisable for pregnant women to receive a flu shot.

First of all, when an adult gets a flu shot they help protect infants who are two young to receive a vaccination. Secondly, a vaccinated mother can pass along protective antibodies to her unborn child, which has the potential of protecting him or her after birth. Finally, if a woman does get the flu, then she is at higher risk of also contracting pneumonia which lowers blood oxygen levels, thus depriving a developing fetus of an essential component for healthy growth.

Currently, autism is diagnosed based on behavioral symptoms. There is no definitive biological test that can be performed to say “yes your child has autism” or “no your child does not have autism. Thankfully, autism research is being done to identify genetic markers.

Finding genetic markers will help in two ways: first, it will help increase the likelihood of getting a correct diagnosis early on when therapy can be effective, and second, knowing the source will take researchers one step closer to the cure. Last April, GW researchers found 18 novel genetic variants which may help with diagnostic screening. This month, another research team in Florida found preliminary results that suggest certain genetic markers that involve T-cells can help identify autistic individuals.

Have you noticed that the mainstream media is paying a lot more attention to autism nowadays? And not just research, but really delving into the lives of people living “on the spectrum.” One extended feature piece recently published in the New York Times particularly caught my attention.

The piece focused on two individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome in a romantic relationship. One part that struck me was when one of the people interviewed for the story pointed out that a lot of autism education focuses on coping in the classroom, learning to control outbursts, and fostering friendships, but little time – if any – is dedicated to helping young adults with autism navigate romantic relationships. Too long it has been assumed that people with autism don’t have the same desires as everyone else, but some things, like wanting to find a life partner, are universal.

Loud noises, twinkling lights, and long lines can be overwhelming. For a child with autism they can be unbearable. That’s why my heart was warmed when I came across a story about a sensory-friendly Santa Claus event as I was browsing the web for articles on autism.

The event was sponsored by the Lawyer’s Autism Awareness Foundation in Tampa, Florida. Two Hillsborough County circuit court judges traded off playing the role of the patient jolly man in red. No twinkling lights or loud music was played in order to make the children more comfortable. Appointments were scheduled to ensure each child had one-on-one time with Santa without having to wait in long lines. What a great holiday story!

In the next edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), scheduled to be published in 2013, the Asperger category may be eliminated. Instead of having its own label, Asperger will be lumped in under “Autism Spectrum Disorder” that will apply to every person with autism, no matter the level of severity. Understandably, this proposed revision has parents worried.

Parents of children with severe autism worry that getting rid of the separate Asperger category will lead people to believe that all children with autism are high functioning. On the other end, parents of children with Asperger fear that wrong diagnoses will become more prevalent. It would appear that parents need to step up autism education and advocate for their children if they do not want the change.

I often peruse other blogs and websites that are concerned with autism in the U.S. I and other bloggers picked up on a recent article that outlined the abysmal classroom aid available to autistic children in Mississippi. Basically, in Mississippi special education teachers are not required to go through autism training, even though the rate of autism in the state and country has dramatically risen.

After doing some digging, I found another site that was equally shocking: only six states require their special education teachers to receive autism training. It is absolutely mind boggling that autism education is not a requirement for teachers who will work with these children five days a week for 13 years. States argue that autism education simply isn’t in the budget, but the truth of the matter is that getting autistic children the therapy they need saves money in the long run because if autistic children can learn to function more independently in society then they will not need as many state sponsored services as they grow older.

When your child is diagnosed with autism, it’s important to do the necessary research to truly understand what autism is, how it can affect your child and the varying degrees of autism. Talking to your child’s pediatrician and/or a specialist is a good place to start to find answers to any questions you may have.

Next you can do internet research to find articles on autism that examine case studies, treatments, behavioral management therapies and lots more. The best way to help your child have the best life is to learn to understand the A to Zs of autism and be prepared for the unknown. After all, your child’s welfare should always come first.

Childhood disintegrative disorder is another form of autism, which is more commonly referred to as autism spectrum disorders. These persuasive developmental disorders are typically characterized by varying degrees of impairment in social skills and general communication and may include restricted and repetitive behaviors. Rett syndrome is know to primarily affect females and is only seen in one out of every 10,000 to 15,000 people. This type of autism is also characterized by impaired communication and social skills as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors.

Rounding out this session of autism awareness is the final type of autism:. This category of autism is defined by delays in the development of socialization and communication skills. Parents may recognize such symptoms as early as infancy. Other symptoms may include a difficulty with changes in routine or changes in familiar surrounding as well as unusual play with toys and other objects.

Most people know that autism is a developmental brain disorder that affects the social interaction and communication skills of a person, usually starting around the time they are still a small child. Autism may also hinder the spectrum of activities and interests a person or child has interest in. However, what many people do not know is that autism is a disorder of varying degrees and types.

There are five different types of autism, including the classic case of autism, of which you can be diagnosed. First there is Asperger syndrome, which is a distinct group of neurological conditions that may be characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in communication and language skills. It may also include repetitive behavior and restrictive patterns of thought and behavior.

Stay tuned for part two of autism education, which will highlight the remaining types of autism.

When your child is diagnosed with autism, don’t fret. It’s normal that you may not know what to do or where to turn to find help and answers. You may have questions like: Will my child need to see a specialist? Are there any medications available to help? What may have caused this condition?

One of the first things you should do to help your autistic child is to sign them up for Applied Behavior Analysis, which is a common form of autism therapy. This will allow doctors to study your child’s social, motor and verbal behaviors as well as reasoning skills. While children without autism learn these skills and behaviors naturally through their own environment, children with autism need guidance in learning them. Once you are familiar with the ABA method, you can practice it at home with your child.