Archive for the 'Parent Support' Category

Parenting a Child with Autism

Author: mom_to_one, 04 27th, 2010

When parents first learn of an autism diagnosis with their child, it is inevitably a life changing moment. It is impossible to prepare yourself for all of the tribulations that will be undoubtedly occur while parenting a child with autism. Despite continued research and ongoing studies, there is still much to be discovered about the disease, and this can be incredibly frustrating for parents who simply want answers. As with many things: the best way to cope with and manage the disease is to learn as much about it as possible.

Autism doesn’t come with a specific set of symptoms but rather is a spectrum of disorders. Children with the disease will develop at different rates and show varying symptoms. New research suggests that the disease can be managed best with early detection, so it is imperative to look for signs and symptoms at a young age to ensure that your child receives the proper care and treatment.

Asperger’s and Autism to Be Redefined in New DSM

Author: mom_to_one, 02 11th, 2010
parenting a child with autism

As anyone who is parenting a child with autism or is familiar with the disorder knows, those suffering with the disease fall under a wide spectrum. These variations make it difficult for physicians to correctly categorize and diagnose individuals, but that may soon be changing. Yesterday the American Psychiatric Association released their revisions Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the handbook for diagnosing various mental disorders.

One of the most notable—and controversial—proposed changes is classifying Asperger’s disorder under the spectrum of autism disorders. Proponents claim that this revision will make diagnoses more accurate and reduce the litany of labels that are now used, while teens and adults who currently are described as having Asperger’s are opposed to now being known as autistic. The new version of the DSM will not go into effect until 2013.

Autism Is Hard on Parents as Well as Kids

Author: mom_to_one, 10 14th, 2009
parenting a child with autism

While autism certainly complicates the lives of those children living with the disorder every day, parents are also affected in a negative way. There’s no doubt that frustration can set in when a child lacks the means to communicate effectively with others and when his behavior doesn’t seem to “make sense” to other people. But what about that child’s caretakers – the people responsible for giving him the best future possible?

Selflessness is a major part of parenthood, and it’s hard to dedicate the time, money and attention necessary to a child with autism. Parenting a child with autism can be a struggle, which is why it’s best to seek out a diagnosis as soon as possible. For the mental health of the child and yourself, you should try to find a specialist who has dealt with all of the frustrations you cope with every day.

But diagnosis is only the first step on the road to recovery. Once you’re certain that your child suffers from an autism spectrum disorder, you’ll undoubtedly want to get to the root of the problem. By retracing your child’s steps in a figurative sense, you can glean a better idea of the disorder’s cause. For many parents, the answer lies in heavy metal detox, which removes toxic mercury from the brain and improves neurological function tremendously.

Remember, You’re Not Alone in This

Author: mom_to_one, 09 29th, 2009
Remember, You’re Not Alone in This

Parenting can be a stressful job in itself – young children require almost constant care and attention as they learn to navigate the world and negotiate the problems that confront them. In a typical day, a parent might have to change a baby’s diapers numerous times, feed them and deal with the trials and tribulations of bedtime. Without even mentioning the guidance and supervision necessary to make sure the child doesn’t hurt himself, it’s basically a full-time job.

Studies have shown that parents of autistic children deal with much more stress than parents of kids with other developmental disorders. A bulk of the mental strain comes from playing a sort of guessing game with the child. By its very nature, autism inhibits young kids from getting their point across. They don’t demonstrate the same verbal and gestural cues that normal children would.

Parenting a child with autism can be maddening at times, which is why it pays to join an autism support group. Parents can always benefit from tricks and techniques that have served other people just like them well in the past. It’s also important to take a proactive approach to the diagnosis process by seeking out a medical professional with a specialization in developmental disorders.

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Do you have an autistic child? Have you found yourself pacing day and night trying to come up with answers as to why this happened to your family? Well it’s about time to put your anxious mind to rest and stop pointing the finger at yourself. You shouldn’t be focusing on why your child has autism, but instead concentrate on how you can help your child learn and grow with love.

Although your child may be autistic, they are just like any other kid when it comes to needing tools and guidance to learn how to play and interact with others. Your child might adapt to such lessons at a slower rate, but it’s important to make them feel normal and not attach a stigmatism to a disorder that’s not their fault. The causes of autism are somewhat blurred, but don’t let the search for answers bog down your life. Live, love and growth with your children!

Helpful Resources for Parents of Autistic Children

Author: mom_to_one, 06 19th, 2009
Helpful Resources for Parents of Autistic Children

Let’s face it, being a parent of an autistic child can be stressful. There’s so much information out there about parenting a child with autism that it can be difficult to sort through it all. There are a lot of great resources for autism information in some surprising places. While a doctor can be a good source of medical information, more often a therapist will have better information on parenting a child with autism. Because autism is a social and communicative disorder, it requires therapy more than medicine for children to work through it. There are some medicinal treatments that can assist with autism like PCA-Rx and probiotics, but more often it is therapy that will offer the most assistance. It’s important for parents to build strong relationships with their children, and also to ensure that their children build relationships with their peers.

There is also a lot of great information about autism online, but make sure it is relevant to the autistic child’s specific disorder first. Because there are several disorders in the autism spectrum, it’s important to use the right treatment depending on the child’s disorder.

Diligence and Childhood Vaccinations

Author: mom_to_one, 04 24th, 2009
Diligence and Childhood Vaccinations

It’s important to vaccinate your child against all the various harmful illnesses and diseases that can be fatal.  But it’s also important to keep in mind that excessive vaccinations can be harmful.  Studies have shown that some of the preservatives used in vaccinations can have serious side effects.  One preservative, thiomersal, which contains mercury, has been linked to several serious conditions including autism.  Vaccination should provide more benefit than do harm, but sometimes it can achieve the opposite.  It’s important for parents to be aware of the preservatives being used in their child’s vaccination, and also recognize that some vaccinations might not be necessary depending on location. 

Despite the dangers of vaccination preservatives, there are several methods in which it is possible to clear toxins from the body.  PCA-Rx, Candida Cleanse, and Probiotics can all serve to cleanse unnecessary toxins from the body and are safe for children. 

Emphasizing Patience for Parents of Autistic Children

Author: mom_to_one, 01 08th, 2009
Emphasizing Patience for Parents of Autistic Children

When parenting an autistic child, the key to fostering their development is having patience and keeping your cool. Autistic children suffer from underdeveloped social and communication skills, and sometimes learning a simple practice or process can take a lot more effort. If parents practice patience with their children, they’re more liable to teach them over time.

When parenting a child with autism, it’s also important to avoid lingering on one particular subject for an extended amount of time. If an autistic child can’t learn something, or doesn’t want to learn something, often no amount of effort on the part of the parent will help them to learn it faster. It’s wise to take all learning step by step, and ensure that difficult subjects are learned over time rather than making an attempt to cram it all in at once. With patience, understanding, and a cool head, you can help your autistic child develop into a more functional adult; just remember that it’s not going to be easy, but the results are spectacular!

Importance of Renewing Vaccinations

Author: mom_to_one, 12 31st, 2008
Importance of Renewing Vaccinations

When children are young they receive essential vaccinations that prevent a number of dangerous diseases and illnesses that were so potent they caused epidemics in the past.  Diseases like typhoid, tetanus, and smallpox were leading causes of death in the past, and now children can become immune to them at an early age.  However, sometimes more important than receiving the initial vaccination shots is ensuring that the proper booster shots are received throughout the years.  It’s common for children to be vaccinated at birth, only to have parents shirk off future vaccinations, increasing their risk for serious illness that could easily be prevented. 

It’s also important for adults to receive vaccination shots as they advance in years; as a general rule, checking with your doctor’s office on your birthday is a good idea.  Vaccination provides significant benefits, but it’s also important to be aware of one potential risk that comes from the preservative thiomersal.  This preservative has been discontinued in mainstream use because it contains the toxic substance mercury, which can be fatal if it enters the bloodstream in large amounts. 

Helpful tips for parents of autistic children

Author: mom_to_one, 10 21st, 2008
parenting a child with autism

Parenting is a difficult endeavor as it is, but parenting a child with autism comes with a whole other list of difficulties. Here are some tips from parents of autistic children, that may make the process a little easier, according to myaspergerschild.com:

1. Cope with the grieving process: it’s natural and healthy to grieve over your child’s illness, but don’t focus on it and the negatives. Stay positive and capable, for your child and your family.
2. Look after yourself: Caring for an autistic child takes time, but if you don’t spend any on yourself, you’ll have nothing left to give. Takes some time out to exercise, make sure you eat properly, and even try to find some alone time.
3. Adapt routines: Autistic children thrive on routines, and become distressed when those routines change. It’s also important to adapt a routine that works for the child, instead of just fitting him/her into yours. Find a schedule that suits everyone.
4. Arm yourself with knowledge: The more you know about the condition, the better you will be able to deal with it.
5. Get support: A support system is crucial. And not just a family and friends system, but a group of people who are familiar with autism and may be able to help you out with the intricacies of the condition. People who understand exactly what you’re going through will be extremely helpful.