Archive for the 'Parent Support' Category

Parenting a Child with Autism

Author: mom_to_one, 12 01st, 2011

An Autism diagnosis is never an easy one regardless of where your child falls on the spectrum. No two children are alike, and, for that matter, no two families are alike. Parenting a child with autism is not easy.Whatever approach to parenting you and your spouse choose needs to be the one that works best for your family.

Only a few pieces of advice will ring true for most families. First, educate yourself and your immediate family and friends. This will help you feel more in control of an uncontrollable situation, and it will also help you and your loved ones learn how best to interact with an autistic child. Second, seek help for your child as soon as possible, but also seek help for yourself. Taking care of an autistic family member is stressful and you’ll want a strong support network to lean on from time to time.

Parent Challenges

Author: mom_to_one, 12 22nd, 2010

The challenges faced by parents of autistic children seem to be without end. From money and resources to guilt and anxiety, the stresses placed on families with autistic children are oppressive. Unless you’re independently wealthy it’s almost impossible to meet all of the financial needs that accompany having an autistic child. Working parents may find themselves out of a job when they have to pick up their child from school or daycare too frequently. This only serves to add to the stress and financial challenges of having an autistic child.

You’re not alone, however. There are several support groups both online and in your local community that can help you face the frustrations of parenting a child with autism. It doesn’t have to be a solitary struggle that segregates you away from society. Your child needs you but your child also needs you to be healthy and happy. If you’re not as happy and healthy as you can be then you may be unable to provide the best care possible. Take the time and find the resources near you to help you with difficulties you face and you’ll be glad you did.

Parental Support for Autistic Children

Author: mom_to_one, 11 10th, 2010

Several sites these days seem to be dedicated to autism information and discussion, but very few offer much consolation or solace to the parents of children with the autistic spectrum disorders. A clear advantage, however, can be gained by parents who can identify early on that their child or children may fall under the autistic spectrum. Most parents notice by the time the child is 18 months old, but situations and the amount of time for such recognition may actually vary considerably.

By definition autism should be noticeable by age 3, but in some instances it may be harder to detect, especially if it’s simply an autistic spectrum disorder such as Asperger’s. The best thing for any parent to do, though, is to simply love their children and support them no matter what. Autistic or autistic spectrum children may not always reciprocate but I think with most parents that wouldn’t matter. Keep your eyes peeled for signs of an ASD, but don’t overdo it or worry yourself too much.

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.