What Causes Autism

What causes Autism is something every doctor hears when they tell a parent
their child is Autistic. There is not one definite answer to this question.
There are several thoughts on what causes Autism. Some of the causes of Autism
are thought to be genetic. Doctors think there are several genes that cause
Autism, but have yet to locate them. They now feel that some people are born
with the predisposition to be Autistic. Then they have some type of
environmental trigger and they become Autistic.

Autism is more common in boys that girls. Some studies show a connection to
environmental factors and Autism. They think that the pollution and toxins in
the air can contribute to a child having Autism. Studies have shown small towns
with high cases of Autism. The towns had one thing in common, a high pollution
source. Usually the source is a factory of some sort that release a lot of
toxins, and chemicals into the air.

A majority of people believe Autism was caused by the Mercury, or Thimersal in
vaccinations. This was due to the fact that Autism was first diagnosed about
the same time as vaccinations were given.
There has been a lot of studies an research about vaccines causing a child to
become Autistic. So far there has been no evidence to suggest the connection
between vaccinating your child and Autism. There could be more risks from not
having the vaccinations.

Some studies have shown children being exposed to high levels of Mercury were
more likely to have Autism. This was a fear with the vaccinations, but the
majority of shots these days do not contain any mercury or Thimersal. If they
do contain Thimersal it is in very trace amounts. High levels of Mercury can be
contributed to eating a lot of fish, and industrial emissions. Researchers think
there could be a connection to pregnant women being exposed to Mercury and their
children having Autism. There are new studies testing pregnant women to see how
much Mercury is in their systems and testing the babies at birth. They can then
monitor the babies with high Mercury levels and see if they have any problems
later on.

There are theories that Autism is caused from an underlying health issue.
Certain diseases make a child more likely to develop Autism. Some of these
diseases include Fragile X syndrome, and congenital Rubella. Others believe
Autism is caused by a metabolic imbalance.

It used to be thought that Autism was caused from an early emotional trauma.
They also thought bad parenting was to blame. Doctors tried to blame mothers
for not giving their children enough attention and love. These theories have
been found untrue. Much more research is needed to identify the true cause or
causes of Autism. Until a definite answer is found no one will know what cause
a child to be Autistic. These theories are all just that, theories. Someday
hopefully doctors will understand what causes a child to be Autistic, and they
can work on a way to prevent, or cure it.

How Autism is Diagnosed

The signs and levels of Autism vary in each child. This can make getting a
diagnosis difficult. Children on the higher level of the Autism spectrum may go
years without being diagnosed. There are may factors that go into an Autism
diagnosis. We will go over some of the criteria being used to diagnose a child
with Autism.

Doctors have a checklist that must be met before the possibility of Autism is
suspected. Some of the signs on the checklist include, poor relationships with
friends, focusing on one thing for very long periods of time, poor
communications skills, and insisting on certain routines, or rituals. When
these signs are shown in a child the doctor will want to evaluate the child
further. The doctor will question the child's parents, or any other people that
have close contact with the child. They may send home a form for you and the
child's teacher to fill out. Once the doctor has the forms back they will
compare the forms and look for similar results. If the results all are pointing
to something being wrong further testing will be considered.

Children also develop at their own rate. So a parent having concerns about
their child not reaching developmental milestones on time may question the
doctor for further testing. The doctor will ask a series of questions to the
parent. If the answers match the criteria for Autism the doctor will order
further evaluations to be completed. Remember each child grows and matures at
their own rate so they may just be a late bloomer.

There is not one test that can say definitely the child has Autism. It will
require several appointments with different health professionals to rule out
other conditions that could be causing the problems in your child. Often a
child who is late to talk is suspected of having a hearing issue first. After
this is checked then the doctor can move onto evaluating for Autism. Several
health conditions can mimic the symptoms of Autism. Children always need to be
evaluated for any other medical conditions that could cause the same symptoms
as Autism first.

To receive an Autism diagnosis the child will be evaluated by a team of medical
professionals. They will include the doctor, a psychologist, a speech therapist,
a neurologist, and a psychiatrist. Once the child is evaluated by the team they
will meet and compare their findings. Then they will have a meeting with the
parents to discuss their findings . If the diagnosis of Autism is made a
treatment plan will be set in place.

Each child will show different symptoms of Autism, and the levels they
experience it will be different. So it may take longer to get a diagnoses of
Autism in some children. Once you have the diagnoses the most important thing
is to start a treatment plan. The treatment plan will help make the life of
your Autistic child better. While there is no cure for Autism, the treatments
available can help to lesson the symptoms.

Know Your Rights: Laws and Autism

If you or your child has autism, some of the most basic things you can study
and learn are your rights. Every American citizen is protected under the
constitution, and there are special laws that have been passed to help protect
people with autism and other disabilities. By knowing the laws that protect you
or your autistic loved ones, you can live in a world that provides better
opportunities to everyone, regardless of not only disability, but also race,
gender, and ethnicity. This is simply the first step to creating a more
tolerant world in general.

The first law with which you should become acquainted is I.D.E.A., or the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The I.D.E.A. covers children ages
3 to 21 and provides autistic children with the special educational programs
they need. The I.D.E.A. gives parents the right to be involved with education
decisions concerning their child made by the school. Your child first needs to
be assessed to qualify under the I.D.E.A., and this is best done by a private
professional. In the end, your child has the right by law to receive a free
public education that is appropriate for his or her skill level. If your public
school has no such program, they are required to find one or create one at no
cost to you.

Also become familiar with and knowledgeable about the American Disabilities
Act. Under this act, discrimination due to disability is prohibited in the
workforce, as well as with state and local government, public accommodations,
the United States Congress, public transportation, and telecommunications. For
example, if you are autistic, but have the skills to do a certain job, you
cannot be refused the job because of your autism.

Other laws provide rights for people with autism so that they are
constitutionally equal to others. One such law says that people with autism
have the right to vote, and accommodations must be made so that this is
possible. Another says that autistic individuals cannot be refused housing
based on disability. Others provide equal rights in all other aspects of life,
and these should especially be studied if your loved one with autism is in a
health care institution. By knowing the law and how it applies to yourself or
others with autism, you can be sure that justice is upheld. If you have
questions, local law officials should be ready and willing to answer you or
provide you with material to answer your own questions. Remember that ignorance
of the law is not a valid excuse for anyone, so be an advocate for yourself or
others with autism to prevent mistreatment.

Is my Child Autistic

Autism is a popular topic in the news right now. Several celebrities have came
out and told the world about their Autistic children. This is causing more
people to be aware of Autism, and to question whether their child is Autistic.
Nobody wants to think that something could be wrong with their child. Then they
watch a news report, or hear someone talking about a child that has Autism and
they start to question their own child.

The symptoms of Autism are many, and they vary in each child. Just because you
see some symptoms of Autism in your child does not mean they are Autistic.
There are other medical conditions that have the same symptoms. Some children
are late on their developmental milestones. Each child develops at their own
rate. Just because your child is not talking by the time they are one does not
mean for certain they have Autism.

If you have concerns about your child's development speak to their healthcare
provider. They can tell you if further testing should be considered. A lot of
parents try to self diagnoses their children. This can be a big mistake. It
takes several qualified medical professionals to diagnose a child with Autism.
This will not be done with one appointment at the pediatrician. You will have a
team of health care providers evaluating your child. The earlier you have your
child evaluated the better the chances of treatment helping the child.

Try not to compare your child with other children. Each child is an individual.
They grow and develop at their own rate. While they may be late at some
milestones, they may excel at others. Sometimes a parent has a gut instinct
that tells them there is something wrong. If you feel that your child is having
problems and the doctor does not agree, get a second opinion. Parents have to be
the voice for their child.

Finding out if your child is Autistic can take time. It can be a life changing
experience for both the child and the parent. Once you find out if your child
is Autistic you can begin the process of treatment, or finding out what is
causing your child's problems if it is not Autism.

Signs that your child needs to be evaluated further include:

 1. No eye contact
 2. No communication. This can be sounds, or words.
 3. Shows no emotions.
 4. Does not pretend play.
 5. Uses repetitive movements.
 6. Have a hard time with schedule changes.
 7. Do not respond to you when you are talking to them. This can be with looks
    or words.
 8. Does things over and over again.
 9. Loses skills they knew.
10. Develops an attachment to a certain food, or smell. These are sensory
    issues.

If you see these signs in your child talk to the doctor about them. Getting a
diagnosis and treatment plan are very important. At the same time do not worry
over every little thing. Some children just take a little longer to reach their
milestones.

Bad Apples on the Family Tree

The news that a child in the family is autistic is most often met with a number
of reactions. While all family members, even extended, would be supportive in an
ideal world, the sad truth is that many are disgusted or disappointed. Does a
family member scold the autistic child often? Does he or she look at your
autistic child unfairly? Does this family member insist on treating your
autistic child the same way he or she treats all the other children in your
family, even when it is inappropriate? These are signs that this relative is
not receptive to either your autistic child or the situation. This may often be
the case when discovering a child is autistic, so as a parent, be aware and
prepared for this to happen.

Often, unreceptive relatives simply do not understand what autism is or what it
means for your child and your immediate family. Though many see autism as a
mental retardation, many autistic children and adults are highly intelligent;
they are just unable to communicate this in the same ways that others would.
Try explaining what autism means to this family member, and have him or her
spend some time with you and your autistic child. Allow them to see the effects
of autism and the methods you can use to cope.

If the family member continues to be unsupportive or refuses your explanation,
ask why this family member is so unreceptive to the situation. Are they scared
of hurting the child? Are they worried about the added responsibility when
spending time with the child? Perhaps they feel guilty or are embarrassed. If
you can pinpoint why a family member is unreceptive, you can better address the
issue and hopefully help him or her overcome their original perceptions.

Perhaps no amount of talking or spending time together will help this family
member overcome their prejudice. If this person has stubbornly made up his or
her mind, you will never be able to show him or her how beautiful your son or
daughter is-autism and all. If this is the case, eliminating this person from
your life may be difficult, but it will also rid you and your child of this
family member's negative energy and personality. In this developing situation,
you need the best positive support available. Remember that other family
members have been supportive; that your children are adjusting well and are a
source of strength for you. Strengthen your support network by participating in
parent support groups for autistic children. And remember that you can surround
yourself with those who do accept and love your child-family or not.

Signs of Autism

With all the recent publicity of Autism in the news you might be wondering what
are the signs of Autism. Here are a list of signs that can be associated to
Autism. If you see these signs in your child speak to their doctor about having
them evaluated. The sooner that Autism is discovered the better the chances are
at treating it.

1. Does not reach developmental milestones on time. Each child develops
differently. Some children will crawl at four months while others will not
until they are several months older. This can be perfectly normal. The problem
starts when every milestone is much later than usual. If your child is not
meeting the developmental stages talk with their doctor.

2. Child does not talk. Children learn to talk at different ages. Some will
start talking very young while others will just start blurting out whole
sentences one day. This can be very normal. However if your child does not have
any babbling type talk by the age of one this could be a cause for concern. Most
children will says some words by the time they are sixteen months. If your child
is not ask their doctor if they think an evaluation is necessary.

3. No eye contact. Most babies and children will look at you when you are
talking to them. Autistic children will often not give you eye contact. It will
appear they are looking off into a daze instead of paying attention to you. They
will not point to objects. They will not look at something you are trying to
show them. Instead they look past it.

4. Child does not show emotion. Autistic children often do not show any
emotion. They do not smile back when a person smiles at them. They do not show
any cares when someone around them is expressing pain, or crying. The Autistic
child does not usually like to be held or cuddled. They will not reach up for
their parents to hold them.

5. Likes to play by their self. The Autistic child usually will play alone.
They feel more comfortable being by them self. They have a hard time making
friends. They do not know how to relate to other kids. They do not understand
when another child is joking with them. They take everything said to them
literally.

6. The child loses skills the knew. The child may have learned to talk and then
it seems as if they forgot how. They can learn a new skill and then a week later
have no idea how to do it. Autistic children often lose skills they have learned.

These are just a few of the signs of Autism. If you notice any of them in your
children talk to their doctor. All children with Autism will not have every
sign. Getting them diagnosed as soon as possible will allow treatment to begin
sooner. Getting your child evaluated as soon as you suspect a problem is very
important. Even if there is nothing wrong it is better to be safe. The earlier
treatment can be started the better for the child.

Sibling Rivalry: How Brothers and Sisters can Cope with Autistic Family Members

When a family member is diagnosed with autism, there is a vast amount of
information teaching parents how to cope with an autistic child, and there is
also information for parents about dealing with an autistic child's different
behaviors. However, there are fewer learning tools for those who have an
autistic sibling, even though this is a very stressful situation for brothers
and sisters of an autistic child. The following tips can help children cope
with an autistic sibling.

Sometimes parents are so involved in preparing themselves and their autistic
child for the transition ahead that they forget that their other children must
also deal with the new situation. Often, siblings of an autistic child may feel
the new situation acutely. They may feel neglected by parents or jealous of the
autistic child who is now receiving more attention. Also, they may find their
peers constantly teasing them about having an autistic sibling, which can lead
to more stress. This may lead to behavioral issues, with the sibling acting out
and becoming a "problem child" to receive attention. In some cases, the sibling
may even try to hurt the autistic brother or sister in an attempt to remove him
from the family environment.

However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, having an autistic sibling
forces one to "grow up" and become responsible. There can be a strong emotional
attachment to the autistic sibling and a keen desire to keep him or her safe in
all situations. Furthermore, living with an autistic sibling can teach one to
be more open about another person's differences. In this way, having an
autistic sibling is a life-enriching experience that pushes individuals to be
emotionally and mentally stronger and to be more tolerant towards others in life

One tip for siblings to cope with their autistic brother or sister is to find a
support group. There should be resources available at the local chapter of the
Autism Society of America. This is especially important in helping siblings
feel that they are not alone and isolated in this unfolding situation-others
are dealing with the same sorts of problems. Also, try to increase family
interaction. Schedule a regular family day or family night each week, where all
children can spend time with parents or other family members and share their day
or week experiences and any problems. The best thing to remember is to be open
about how you are feeling. If children feel that their parents are neglecting
some aspect of their life, simply asking them for a moment of their time is
often the best solution. It is important for parents to be understanding
towards their children's needs for attention, whether they are autistic or not.
Communication is the key to helping the entire family run smoothly.

Dietary Concerns: Glutton and Casein

Autism is a disorder that must be treated with a variety of methods since there
is no effective way to completely cure it. One of the ways you can help keep the
symptoms of autism under control is by studying diet. Parents of children with
autism have reported that by controlling diet, they see a significant
difference in their child's behavior. Two of the main dietary concerns are
glutton and casein.

Glutton is a substance found in many common food products, with wheat, rye, and
oaks being the main culprits. Casein is found in dairy products, such as milk.
If you or your child with autism eats many foods with these products in them,
such as breads or cheeses, you may be able to better control autistic behavior
by decreasing consumption of such foods.

The difficulty in digesting both glutton and casein comes from an inability to
digestively handle the peptides in these substances. Since they are not broken
down as in a normal body, these extra peptides are absorbed into the blood
stream. Elevated levels of peptides disrupt major brain functions, contributing
to the effects of autism. By cutting foods containing glutton and casein out of
you or your child's diet, you can help the body with the process of breaking
down the peptides present in the body. To see if you or your child has a high
absorption rate of these peptides, your doctor can administer a simple urine
test.

Speak to a nutritionist or doctor before making any major changes in your diet.
When you decide to cut glutton and casein from your diet, do not attempt to do
this all at once. Cutting anything from your diet suddenly is unhealthy, and
your body could go into withdrawal. Instead, slowly begin reducing the amounts
of breads, grains, and milk products until you are eating none. You doctor can
provide you with a complete list of all the foods containing glutton and casein
if you truly want to cut them all from your diet. However, it may be necessary
to get the nutrients that you find in glutton and casein products in another
way, such as with dietary supplements. Again, your doctor can help in this
decision. Overall, maintaining a balanced diet is the healthiest thing to do.
Leaving glutton and casein products out of your or your child's diet may help
control autistic behavior, so it is an option that should be considered, but
eating a healthy diet altogether is the best way to keep you and your family
healthy.

Dealing with Asperger Syndrome

Asperger Syndrome is a relatively mild form of autism that effects people in
different ways than regular autism. Because it usually does not affect
language, many people with Asperger Syndrome go undiagnosed. This is the one
form of autism that is usually not caught at an early age and is instead a
disorder that develops later in life. Asperger Syndrome, however, can be a very
difficult condition to have, so as soon as you suspect yourself or your child of
having communication and social behavior problems, see your family doctor.

Many famous and successful people were diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.
Historians even suggest that Einstein and Mozart each suffered from this
disorder. It is important to note that no form of autism is a form of mental
retardation. In fact, most people with Asperger Syndrome are very intelligent.
Asperger Syndrome does not dictate mental ability, but rather makes it
difficult for people to communicate in social settings, much in the same way a
typical autistic child has trouble with behavior in groups. When this disorder
goes undiagnosed, children do not get the help they need, leading to problems
in school such as bullying. Most children are relieved to find out they have
Asperger Syndrome instead of just thinking they are less of a person. By
getting diagnosed, not only can you or your child put a name to the problems,
but it is then also possible to get treated to improve your overall situation.

Some symptoms to watch out for if you suspect Asperger Syndrome are some of the
same symptoms that people with full-blown autism experience. This includes
social confusion, first and foremost. Many people with Asperger Syndrome find
it very difficult to deal with transition or change, wanting everything to stay
the same. A quickly changing environment is especially confusing. People with
Asperger Syndrome also may say rude or inappropriate things when they don't
mean to do so, and may not be able to understand others' thought processes.
Another common trait they share with autistic individuals is fixation, although
people with Asperger Syndrome usually have more control over their fixations,
which take the form of highly focused interests. If you suspect yourself or a
loved one of this disorder, these are just a few of the signs for which you
should be watching. You doctor should be able to answer further questions and
provide both reading material and treatment for this disorder.

Treatments for Aspergers Syndrome

There is not one set treatment for Aspergers syndrome. You will not find a
medication that will cure a child with Aspergers. Instead you will find several
treatments to help with the problems associated with Aspergers syndrome. Here we
will examine some of the treatments used with Aspergers syndrome.

Social Skills Training

Children with Aspergers syndrome have a hard time understanding facial
expressions, and tone of voice. They tend to take everything said to them very
literally. They do not know when a person is joking with them. Children can be
taught to recognize changes in peoples voice, and what different facial
expressions mean. They also need to be taught how to use better eye contact.
This type of training can help the child to make friends. They are taught how
to act around other people. Some children with Aspergers want to be around
other kids, they just do not know how to act with them. They can be taught how
to act when out shopping, or at a restaurant.

Cognitive behavior Therapy

This type of therapy teaches the child with Aspergers syndrome to find ways to
cope. They are taught ways to reduce anxiety. They learn how to spot a
situation that can cause them trouble. Then they learn techniques to cope when
they are in that situation. Aspergers children often have a lot of anxiety.
They have a hard time in social settings. They can have anxiety attacks, or
complete meltdowns. The Cognitive therapy teaches them ways to stop the
meltdowns from occurring. This therapy will teach a child with Aspergers that
when they feel an unwanted behavior coming on something they can do to stop it.
They are taught how to remove them selves from a situation that makes them
uneasy.

Medication

There is no medication that will treat Aspergers. However there is medication
to help with some of the symptoms of Aspergers. Many children with Aspergers
have anxiety and depression. There are medications that can help relieve these
problems. Relieving the anxiety can help the child feel more comfortable in
social settings. Medications like these can have side effects. You will need to
monitor your child's behavior while they are on the medication. Some children
with Aspergers have a hard time sleeping. There are medications to help the
child sleep.

Parenting Education

There is training for the parents of Aspergers children. This training consists
of ways you can deal with behaviors. Learning things that can help to calm your
child down when they are having a meltdown, or anxiety attack. Parents are
taught ways of using reward systems to control behavior problems. They are
taught how to deal with the behaviors in the home. This helps them to deal with
behaviors in other places too.

With these treatments the life of an Aspergers child can be easier. If no
treatment is given children with Aspergers can have trouble with depression,
and anxiety. They have such a hard time dealing with people socially they might
turn to alcohol, or drugs to relax them. Getting a treatment plan that works is
a number one priority for your Aspergers child.

Gluten Free Diet

The Gluten free diet consists of removing any foods from your Autistic child's
diet that contain Gluten. This can seem hard at first because so many foods do
have Gluten in them. Gluten is found in most prepared foods. Foods containing
wheat, barley ,oats, or rye need to be eliminated from the diet. Gluten can
also be found in some vinegars and sauces. Artificial flavorings often contain
Gluten.

When using the Gluten free diet you have to be careful and read all labels on
foods. Gluten can be in foods you would not think of, like spices. The theory
behind removing Gluten from an Autistic child's diet is that when the child
eats a food with Gluten it causes their body to react differently than a child
without Autism.

The Gluten free diet can be expensive to follow. Most Gluten free products are
sold in specialty, or health stores. These stores usually charge a much higher
price. Some major grocery stores are now carrying Gluten free products. You can
find Gluten free flour, pancake mix, waffles, cookies, snacks, and many other
foods. Most parents find out it is cheaper to make their own Gluten free food.
Recipes can be found on the internet, or in Gluten free cookbooks. Some parents
go together with another family following the Gluten free diet and buy in bulk.
Then they share the foods. This can help lower the costs of the Gluten free
items.

Autistic children following a Gluten free diet can eat meat, fish, fruits,
vegetables, nut, eggs, and products made with gluten free ingredients. It can
be hard to keep a child from eating their favorite snacks, and treats. Some of
these can be made by using Gluten free products. Muffins and cookies can be
made from Gluten free flour. It just takes some getting used to the new way of
eating.

Often people following a Gluten free diet will remove all dairy (Casein)
products from their diet as well. You can find out if your Autistic child has
an allergy to a certain food by having allergy testing done. The doctor can
arrange for this testing.

If you are going to try the Gluten free diet with your child you have to be
prepared to follow it for several months to tell if it is going to make any
difference. Gluten remains in the body for a long time. Most people do not give
the diet a long enough chance to work. Trying it for a week or two will not give
the body enough time to remove any remaining Gluten from its system. Some people
do however see improvements right away in their Autistic child.

If you want to find more information about Gluten free dieting there are
several books available. Visit your local library, or book store to find one.
To find Gluten free recipes try searching online using your favorite search
engine. The Gluten free diet will not work with every autistic child. The
majority of the children that show improvement had a sensitivity to the gluten
to begin with.

The Gluten free diet is not a cure for Autism. It is used to help lesson the
symptoms of Autism.

Dairy Free Diet to Treat Autism

Parents are turning to their child's diet to when treating Autism. Some believe
that Autistic children have a food sensitivity. They believe dairy, also known
as Casein, is one of the foods to cause problems with Autistic children.
Removing all dairy from your child's diet can at first seem very difficult to
do. Most kids love cheese and ice cream.

Most people following a dairy free diet also remove Gluten from the diet. The
ingredient in dairy that it thought to cause problems is Casein. Casein is a
protein found in dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and some
hotdogs. It is very important to read all labels on food the child will be
eating.

If you are going to try the dairy free diet with your child you will need to
make sure they are getting enough calcium. This can be done with vitamin
supplements, or milk substitutes. Many types of food are including calcium.

It is thought that the Casein reacts in the Autistic child's body causing the
unwanted behaviors. They think if the dairy products are removed some of the
behaviors will leave. It should take a few months to know if the diet is
working for your child. If you are considering removing Gluten from the diet
too it is advised to try removing dairy first. The dairy is removed from the
body much faster than the Gluten. Gluten can take ten months or more to be
completely removed from the body.

Following a Casein free diet can be expensive. Most milk replacements cost
double the price of regular milk. Not all stores will carry the dairy free
products. They can usually be found at specialty, or health food stores. You
can find Casein free products on the internet for mail order. There are also
lots of Casein free recipes available online. To save on the cost of Casein
free foods some families find another family in their area using the same diet,
and share the cost of ingredients by buying in bulk. They then split the foods.

If you choose to try a Casein (dairy) free diet with your Autistic child
remember to allow enough time to see if the diet is helping. It can be helpful
to keep a journal while trying the diet. Keep a record of behaviors your
Autistic child has. Then you can see if the number of behaviors is dropping. If
you have not removed Gluten from your child's diet you may want to consider this
if your child is not improving from the dairy free diet.

To find out if your Autistic child has a sensitivity to dairy (Casein) have
them allergy tested. This will tell you if you should remove any other foods
from the diet. If you are wanting more information about Casein free diets
visit your local library. You can find many books that deal with dairy free
living. The internet is also a great source of information.

A Casein free diet might be helpful in treating your child's Autism. It is not
a cure for Autism though. It will only help treat some of the symptoms.

Self-Injury: How to Stop this Dangerous Practice

Many wonder why anyone would practice self-injury, as it is painful and
dangerous. However, with autistic children, self-injury occurs more often than
not. There are several theories as to why this practice can be prevalent in
autistic children, and there are some methods you can use to help ease this
distressing practice.

Because autistic children are unable to communicate through language the way
that others can, they often feel frustrated at not being understood or at not
getting what they need or want. Thus, autistic children may commit self-injury,
by banging their heads or biting themselves (among other tactics), to release
some of that frustration that cannot be communicated through words. Also,
self-injury is a way of getting attention. An autistic child's frustration goes
hand-in-hand with wanting attention. For instance, by scratching oneself until
one bleeds, the autistic child will immediately get someone's attention, and
this person will work to understand what the child wants or needs.

This theory of frustration and attention has been the sole thinking for quite
some time. Recently, however, studies have shown that self-injury can have a
biochemical component that relieves some of the pain and frustration one feels
by releasing endorphins, or "happy hormones," into one's system. The endorphins
also provide a release for the autistic child, allowing him or her to
temporarily forget about his or her frustration and pain. Furthermore, it is
believed that if one practices self-injury enough, the endorphins will begin to
help mask any pain associated with such behavior, making it an addictive action.

While some professionals say that ignoring the autistic child's self-injurious
behavior is an acceptable method of treating such practice, this can obviously
be very difficult. Others have suggested that communication therapy and drugs
may help an autistic child by providing him or her with another method of
communication. There are drugs that will help stem the addictive behavior of
releasing endorphins into the system, and thus help stop such behavior. There
are also nutritional solutions available; vitamin B6 and calcium have been said
to help many families with an autistic child.

For the family members involved, communication training to learn how to
communicate with an autistic child is also extremely important. Because normal
adults, and even children and teenagers, are so accustomed to communicating
through easily recognizable words or body language, they have to learn that
communicating with an autistic child requires a completely different process.
By looking for solutions for both the family and the autistic child involved in
self-injurious behavior, one may be able to overcome this distressing practice.

Robotic Hugs: How a Hug Can Help Your Autistic Child

Autistic children and adults often seek pressure in a variety of ways to calm
themselves and cope with sensory overload. Oftentimes, hugs and squeezes from
other people can cause more distress because autistic children or adults are
often unable to communicate their needs by indicating a particular amount or
length of pressure. This is both frustrating and ineffective for both the
autistic person and whoever is hugging or squeezing them.

The hug machine was created to help relive this frustration, putting autistic
individuals in control of their situation. Both children and adults who suffer
from autism sometimes crave pressure to help calm anxiety. Because of this, one
woman with autism developed the hug machine, also known as a hug box or a
squeeze machine. The hug machine has two padded sideboards connected near the
bottom of the boards to form a V-shape. A lever helps push the sideboards
together to create pressure; the lever also allows the autistic child or adult
the ability to control the amount and length of pressure.

Studies are still being conducted to find out why those with autism respond to
pressure and how it can produce a calming effect. The hug machine may affect
the heightened sensory perceptions of those with autism who often feels
disruptive or distressing behavior. By applying pressure, perhaps the autistic
child or adult moves his or her focus to a single feeling-the pressure-which in
turn produces a calming effect. For many autistic children and adults, anxiety
can be completely incapacitating. Not being able to function with the anxiety
is frustrating, and so appropriate social behavior is even more difficult.
Sometimes, the only release from such anxiety is through pressure. To this day,
the hug machine is used by several programs and researchers studying autism as
well as therapy programs.

Remember that hugging or squeezing an autistic child may not help him or her.
You may, in fact, increase their senses and cause more anxiety. Though you may
not be able to purchase a hug machine, you may be able to create a similar
object. Try wrapping the autistic child or adult in a blanket, where they can
control how much pressure to apply. You can also look into buying padded boards
that more closely simulate the hug machine's side-boards and perhaps tie or tape
some heavy-duty yarn to each side to allow the autistic child or adult control
over how much pressure to apply and for how long. Contact your child's school
to see if there has been any interest in purchasing a community hug-machine.
This may not be a cure to all your child's problems, but it works well to help
many autistic individuals cope with the world.
Alternative Treatments for Autism

Usually the first treatment mentioned for Autism is medication. This is
changing. More people are open to trying alternative treatments. Medications
can have terrible side effects, so more people are looking for natural
products. Here are some alternative treatments used for Autism.

Nutritional

There are several diets that can be used when treating Autism. They range from
eating Gluten free products to eliminating dairy from the diet. Some Autistic
children have a sensitivity to certain ingredients in food. These ingredients
will contribute to behavioral problems, or meltdowns when eaten.

Omega 3's

Omega 3 has been found to be helpful in treating Autism, as well as many other
disorders. People using the Omega 3 have found better sleep patterns, social
interaction, and over all health of their child. People wanting to try this
alternative treatment can add fish oil to their children's diet. Fish oil can
be found in capsule for or liquid. Some children have trouble swallowing the
capsule. The liquid form can be found in a flavorless type that is mixed in a
drink.

Music Therapy

Several studies have found music therapy to be very beneficial to the Autistic
child. Sometimes an Autistic child will sing along with music while they will
not speak. This is one way of working on the child's speech. The music can be
soothing to an Autistic child. It can relax them enough to take part in an
activity with other people.

Sensory Integration

Children with Autism can be very sensitive to noises, tastes, textures, and
smells. Sensory integration therapy helps the child to deal with whatever it is
causing them problems. It can also be used to calm a child with something like a
certain smell or texture.

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is a must for any child with Autism. Children with Autism
usually misuse words. They often have a hard time understanding the meanings of
words like few or many. Speech therapists can help teach gestures and
communication skills to nonverbal children. They can help the child to learn
how to read other people's body language.

Play Therapy

Play therapy can be very useful when treating an Autistic child. Play therapy
allows the child to relax and focus on things they enjoy. A therapist working
with an autistic child will play on the floor with the child. They will give
the child various toys and see if the child takes a liking to one of them. If
the child begins to play the therapist will then try to interact with the
child. After the therapist has formed a relationship with the child they might
bring another child into play therapy. This can be a great way to get the
Autistic child to play with other kids. Usually a therapist does the play
therapy, however the parent can do the therapy after they have learned the
techniques used.

These are just a few of the many alternative treatments available for Autism.
Medication does not have to be a first resort. These can also be combined with
medication for a better treatment plan.

Achieving Self-control with Autism

Self-discipline is a skill that most autistic children have trouble acquiring.
This includes not only inappropriate outbursts, but also habits that can be
potentially dangerous, such as being aggressive towards others or causing harm
to themselves, such as banging their heads off walls. To prevent these and
other behaviors, one technique parents and educators can use to control
autistic tendencies is self-management. Giving the child power over him- or
herself is often the key to keeping control over violent situations and may be
a positive step towards learning other behaviors as well.

Self-management works because the child is no longer fully controlled by
others. By teaching self-management during specific times of day, such as while
the child is at school or therapy, the child will be more likely to continue to
practicing self-control during all times of the day. The key is to implement a
program in which he or she monitors his or her own behavior and activities.
Begin with short amounts of time, and continue to monitor the child from a more
passive standpoint. Every ten to fifteen minutes remind the child that he or she
is in control and needs to monitor and be aware of good and bad behavior.

This monitoring is a form of self-evaluation. When a child is in control, he or
she may think more closely about behavior in the past and present. Set clear
goals with the child-for example, an afternoon with no aggression towards
others or a day at school with no self-injury. Every fifteen minutes ask the
child how he or she is doing. Is the goal being met? If the answer is no,
perhaps the child is not ready for self-management, or perhaps the goals are
too unattainable. You want to make sure that the goals are easy to reach at
first, and then move the child towards more difficult goals in the future. When
a child is successful at self-monitoring, he or she will have a more positive
attitude towards the experience.

Of course, an important part of self-management is a rewards system. Have the
child come up with his or her own reward, depending on interest. Reinforcement
will make these good behavior goals more clearly marked in the child's mind,
and by choosing and rewarding him- or herself, the child will feel completely
in control of the self-management system. Choose simple rewards to start, such
as smiley faces for every goal met and sad faces for every goal not met, and
work up to a larger goal, such as a special activity or new toy when a certain
amount of smiley faces has been attained.

These types of programs do not develop overnight, so it is important that you
and the child have enough time to devote to a self-management experience. By
reinforcing good behavior with rewards, as determined by the child instead of
by an adult, he or she will be more likely to carry this on even when not
participating in the program. If your autistic child is mature enough, this
could be a good treatment program to try.

Autistic Children Need Schedules

Schedules are an important part of every child's life. This is especially true
when dealing with a child of special needs like Autism. Having a schedule will
help the Autistic child feel a sense of structure. Children with Autism often
have anxiety issue they are dealing with. Having a schedule helps the levels of
anxiety to drop. They know what to expect on a daily basis. They know at a
certain time of the day what they will be doing.

If there is no schedule or structure in an Autistic child's daily life things
will be very hectic. An Autistic child has lots of doctors and therapist
appointments. Sometimes there will be more than one appointment a day. Keeping
a schedule can help you and your child to make sure they do not miss any
appointments.

Some Autistic children have trouble with reading. You can use a visual
schedule. Have pictures for all the daily activities. This allows them to see
what is coming next. Having a schedule for your Autistic child will help avoid
some breakdowns. Keep the schedule posted where your child can see it. If you
have to change the schedule explain the changes to your child. Autistic
children like routines, and a change could throw their whole day out of whack.

Schedules can be a help when trying to get the child to do something they do
not want to do. Simply show them that after they do this they will get to move
onto something else. Tell them they cannot move on until this activity is
completed.

There will always be things that come up. Try to stick to the schedule as much
as possible. When things come up try to get back on schedule as soon as you
can. This includes weekends . If your child is used to getting up at seven in
the morning continue to do so. Keep their bedtimes close to the same time each
night. Your Autistic child will be happier when they have had enough sleep.

Schedules will make life much easier you and your Autistic child. Keep them
posted for your child to see, and stick to the schedule the best you can. An
example of a schedule you can use if found below.

7 AM Wake up, get dressed and ready for the day
8 AM Breakfast
9 AM Therapy Appointment at home
11 AM Free time/ Play time
12 PM Lunch
1 PM Outdoor Play
2 PM Arts and Crafts
3 PM Free Time
5 PM Dinner
6 PM TV time
7 PM Bath time
8 PM Bed Time

This allows the child to know what is going on during the day. Include doctors,
or therapy appointments on the schedule. An older child can still benefit from a
schedule. It has to be adjusted for school time, and any extra curricular
activities. You can include homework time, and chores into the chart. Once you
start using a chart for your Autistic child you will see a improvement in the
flow of your day. This also leaves little time for boredom. There is always
something planned to do.

Autistic Children and the Strain on Marriage

Unfortunately, in modern times, many marriages end in divorce or separation.
This statistic rises even higher when you mix in an autistic child. No matter
how loving and understanding you both may be towards your child, the truth is
that autism is a very difficult matter, and strain on the marriage is not
uncommon. By trying to stay positive about your situation, and by working to
keep your marriage healthy, you and your spouse can avoid marital problems and
hopefully survive the trying times of raising an autistic child.

Why did you marry your husband or wife? By asking yourself this question often,
you can focus on the good things in your marriage. Raising a child with autism
is stressful, and if you are stressed, you have a tendency to snap at another
person for the smallest missteps. Instead of focusing on these bad qualities,
take some time to enjoy one another the way you did at the beginning of the
relationship. This may include spending some time apart from your children.
When you find out that your child is autistic, it is beneficial to make sure
that you and your spouse are not the only two people with whom your child will
respond. A grandparent, aunt or uncle, mature sibling, or nanny are good people
to have in your child's life in the most intimate way possible. This way, alone
time with your spouse is possible.

Work together with your spouse to help you child, instead of fighting with one
another. It is very likely that you will have different ideas about what to do
in certain situations, so be prepared to compromise and always seek
professional consultations before making any medical decisions for your child.
By working together, remember that you are giving your child the best
opportunities. Try to set apart time every week to spend together as a family,
especially if one parent or the other is the primary caregiver.

Lastly, seek help when you need it. Part of any successful marriage is spending
some time apart to focus on individual needs, and it is no different when you
have an autistic child. However, if you find that you and your spouse are not
happy unless you are spending time alone, it is time to reevaluate the
situation. A family or marriage counselor can help you and your spouse get back
on the right track to a happy life together. It might also be beneficial to meet
other couples raising autistic children. You are not alone, and it is never
easy. By making an effort to keep your marriage happy, even when you are
stressed with the task of raising an autistic child, you and your spouse can
ensure that your marriage does not end in a messy divorce.

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Leaky gut syndrome in conjunction with autism is still being researched; a
number of studies and research are under way to better understand how the
syndrome starts, why it can be prevalent in autistic children, and how to treat
it. Simply, leaky guy syndrome is the inability of the intestinal wall to keep
out large, unwanted molecules. This symptom of autism most often signifies that
the intestinal wall has been altered to become permeable. Leaky gut syndrome in
autistic children may occur because of increased sensitivity or allergies.

Leaky gut syndrome is problematic for one's health because it allows molecules
and substances (such as proteins) that are normally filtered out of the
intestinal tract into the intestines. Because these molecules are not usually
allowed inside the gut, the body misinterprets these non-harmful substances as
a virus or infection and begins to produce antibodies to attack them. In turn,
this creates a process where one's body recognizes certain foods, as well as
any of the body's regular molecules that are similar to these foods, as
harmful, causing an auto-immune disease where the body attacks itself. These
are merely two possible outcomes with leaky gut syndrome. Others include the
transportation of bacteria normally found within the intestinal tract to move
into the bloodstream and cause an infection anywhere in the body as well as a
weakening of the liver, which causes more toxins to circulate throughout the
body, leading to a number of medical problems.

What can cause leaky gut syndrome? Researchers are still working to more fully
understand the causes, but current medical diagnoses suggest that a diet high
in alcohol and caffeine intake, certain drugs like ibuprofen and antacids, or a
diet high in carbohydrates can decrease the thickness of the intestinal wall as
well as other possible reasons. These are just a few possible reasons, and ways
to treat leaky gut syndrome are just as uncertain as the reasons. Because of the
sensitivity of the digestive system with leaky gut syndrome, many parents of
autistic children find that putting their child on gluten- and casein-free
diets can help. Both gluten and casein are proteins, and a diet with these
proteins may irritate and inflame a leaky gut syndrome -- though at the moment,
researchers are still studying this. You may also treat leaky gut syndrome by
avoiding alcohol, caffeine, ibuprofen, or spicy foods -- all of which can cause
irritation in the intestines.

Understanding leaky gut syndrome is an ongoing process, for parents with
autistic children, doctors, and researchers, but this does not mean that there
is nothing you can do to treat it. Simply being aware that your autistic child
may have leaky gut syndrome will help you to better understand and improve his
or her life.

What are the Signs of Aspergers Syndrome

Aspergers is a form of Autism. People with Aspergers syndrome are on the higher
end of the spectrum. They usually have normal language skills. Their main
problem is dealing with people socially. Usually these problems are first
noticed when a child begins school. The child can have all the signs of
Aspergers, or only a few. Here are some of the common signs of Aspergers
syndrome.

1. Have a hard time talking to other kids. Kids with Aspergers syndrome have a
hard time going up to someone and starting a conversation.

2. Speak in words that are very advanced for their age. The Asperger's child
may use words that adults would use.

3. Have trouble understanding when someone is joking, or being sarcastic.
Children with Aspergers have a hard time understanding tones of people's
voices. They tend to take everything said seriously.

4. Have very limited interests. A child with Aspergers syndrome may only want
to focus on one thing. They may take a liking to puzzles, and only want to do
puzzles all the time. They will often learn everything they can about one
subject. That will be all they focus on.

5. Have a hard time with changes in their routine. This can be hard for a child
starting school. They had a routine at home and now that is being changed. The
same thing can happen during breaks during the school year. This is a common
problem of Autistic children.

6. Talking a lot. Children with Aspergers usually talk a lot. They often say
whatever they are thinking whether it is appropriate or not. Most of the
conversations they have are one sided. While it looks like the child is talking
to you, they are really talking at you.

7. Problems making friends. Kids with Aspergers have trouble making friends due
to their inability to relate to the other children. They sometimes try to hard
to make friends and scare the other kids away.

8. No eye contact. Children with Aspergers usually will not look you in the eye
when speaking. This is another common trait of an Autistic child.

9. Using repetitive movements. This can be a movement like spinning around, or
bouncing back and forth while sitting. These movements are calming to the
Aspergers child.

10. Problems with speaking. The Aspergers child may speak really fast. They
usually do not stop to see if the person they are talking to is paying
attention. Their tone of voice is flat and does not change to show emotions.

11. Problems with movement. Children with Aspergers often have trouble with
their coordination skills. They may always be tripping or stumbling over their
own feet. They may take a long time to learn how to ride a bike.

Asperger children have the most positive outcome on the Autism spectrum. They
have high intelligence and language skills. They can often be taught the social
skills they need to get by. If you notice any of these signs in your child
mention them to the doctor.

Traveling With an Autistic Child

Daily life with an Autistic child can be a challenge to say the least. What
should you do if you are traveling for vacation, or another purpose? Lets look
at some things a parent can do when traveling with their Autistic child.

1. Plan ahead. If at all possible plan trips far in advance. This gives you
time to talk with your child and get them used to the idea of traveling. You
can explain to them where they will be going, and some of the things they will
be doing while away.

2. Bring items from home that your Autistic child likes. Bring their favorite
toys. Bring along their pillow and blanket they use each night. Try and keep as
many items that are familiar to your child with you while traveling. This can
help your child to relax in their new environment.

3. Bring all their necessary medications. You do not want to be away from home
and not have their medicine. Get the prescriptions refilled before the trip to
make sure you do not run out.

4. Try and keep a schedule while traveling. If possible keep some of the
schedule you use while at home. Try to get up and go to bed at the same time
each day. Autistic children needs their schedules to feel safe.

5. Do not overload your child. If your child has a lot of sensory issues do not
over load them while traveling. If you see your child getting overwhelmed go
back to your hotel for a break. Warn your child if the place you are going has
loud noises, or bright lights if these are issues.

6. Do not force your child to do something they are not comfortable doing. For
example do not make them go to a amusement park if they do not like loud noises
and lots of people. Consider bringing a qualified person to watch your child
while you visit the park. They could do an activity that your child would like
instead.

7. Make sure your child has something with them that has your name, and phone
number where you can be reached incase the child gets lost. If your child is
verbal make sure they know how to tell someone they are lost. This can be very
hard for an Autistic child. They have hard time dealing with people anyway.

8. If you have to travel for an emergency try to stay calm. If you are stressed
about the trip your Autistic child will pick up on this and become stressed
their selves.

9. Take lots of activities the child enjoys to keep them occupied while
traveling. This could be hand held games, or a portable DVD player. This can
help keep your child from becoming overly bored. It can also give them
something to focus on if they start to feel uneasy.

10. Notify the place where you are staying that your child is Autistic. This is
very important if your child likes to wander on their own. The staff at the
hotel will know if they see the child and you are not with them to contact you
right away.

Traveling with an Autistic child will take some extra planning, but it can be
done. Just try and keep as much structure to the trip as possible. It will make
the trip more enjoyable for you and your child.
How to Cope as a Parent of an Autistic Child

Having an Autistic child can be very hard, and rewarding at the same time. Some
days will go according to plan, and others will make you want to climb back in
bed. You will need a way to cope to stay strong for you child. Here are some
ways of coping when you have a child with Autism.

Support Group

Find a local support group in your area for parents with Autistic children.
They will understand what you are going through. They have been there or are
going through the same things you are. Sometimes having someone to talk to that
understands can make a huge difference. They may have suggestions that can help
in your daily routines. Sometimes it is just nice to have someone to talk to
other than a doctor or therapist.

Journals

Writing in a journal can be a great coping mechanism. It allows you to express
your feelings and thoughts. This journal can be a place to let out all of your
frustrations as a parent of an autistic child. No one else has to read the
journal. It can be a private place to vent. Sometimes just writing can help
relieve stress and anxiety you might be feeling. Your journal can also be a
place to keep track of behaviors your child has on a day to day basis.

Get away

Everyone needs time to their self. This is true whether you are dealing with an
Autistic child, or any other medical problem. Find a qualified care giver for
your child and get out. Have a date night with your spouse, or just get away
for some alone time. Go watch that movie you wanted to see. Run some errands
that are hard to take your child along too. Just give your self some away time.
If you cannot leave the house make some time after your child has gone to bed
for a relaxing bath. Just give yourself some time to unwind. It will make
things better for you and your child.

Ask for help

Every mom tries to be a super mom. They do not want to ask for help because
that means they cannot do it alone. Forget this attitude. Having a child with
Autism requires help. If you are becoming stressed and overwhelmed it is not
good for you or your child. Sometimes we all need help. If you are trying a
treatment and it is not improving things with your Autistic child ask the
doctor for another way. Ask someone such as your spouse to help with the
errands. Sometimes it is too hard to take your Autistic child out without some
sort of struggle. Getting someone to do simple tasks for you can save time and
frustrations. If you need help ask. No one can read your mind, you have to tell
them you need help.

Having an Autistic child is a hard job. Having ways to cope will make your job
easier. It will also make things better for your child by having you calm and
stress free.

How PDD-NOS is Diagnosed

PDD-NOS is a diagnosis given when a child does not meet all the criteria for
Autism, but they show several of the signs. PDD-NOS or Persuasive Developmental
Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is diagnosed with several different types of
assessments. We will look at these different types of assessments needed for
PDD-NOS.

Medical Assessment

The medical assessment will examine the child completely to rule out any health
conditions that could be causing the symptoms the child is experiencing. Some
health conditions can cause similar symptoms as those in Persuasive
Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

Educational Assessment

The child will be tested in several different educational areas. They will be
assessed on what skills they have appropriate for their age. They will be
assessed on daily living skills. These skills include dressing, bathing,
eating, etc. These skills can be assessed by testing, or interviewing the
parents, and teachers.

Interviews with Child's Parents, Teachers

Children with Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified can
have different symptoms at different times or places. Interviewing the child's
parents and teachers gives a better picture of the child. A child in school is
with the teachers for several hours a day. They can add very important
information to the child's assessment. The same can be said for anyone that
spends a lot of time with the child. This might be a daycare provider, or
grandma.

Psychological Assessment

The child will be assessed by a Psychologist to rule out any mental disorders
that could be causing the problems. The child will be examined for delays in
several areas like cognitive, or social. They will be evaluated for anxiety, or
problems with depression.

Behavior Observation Assessment

The doctor assessing the child for PDD-NOS might want to observe the child in a
natural setting. This can be done in the child's home. This gives the doctor a
better view of symptoms a child is having. They can see how the child acts with
their family.

Communication Assessment

The child will have their communication skills tested. This will be done with
testing and by talking to the child's parents. The child will be assessed for
their ability to understand others, and their ability to use their words. The
doctor will want to know if the child understands body language, and facial
expressions.

Occupational Assessment

The occupational assessment will check how well the child can use their fine
motor skills. They will also check for any sensory issues the child may be
dealing with. An example of a sensory issue would be a child that only likes
certain textures. This can make choosing clothing difficult.

After all of the assessments are complete the team will meet and decide if the
child has met the criteria for a diagnosis of Persuasive Developmental Disorder
Not Otherwise Specified. If the child is found to have PDD-NOS a treatment plan
will be created. Getting treatment for the child is very important. The
treatments can help a child with Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not
Otherwise Specified to be able to communicate better. They can learn how to act
in social settings. Overall treatment can make their life easier.
How Autism is Treated

Once you find out your child is Autistic you will then want to begin some type
of treatment plan. There are many different treatments for Autism. Many worry
that they will have to use medications that can be dangerous to their child.
This is not the case. While some children need medication not all children do.
There are a lot of other treatments available to the Autistic child besides
prescription medication.

Some people will go with the standard type of treatment plan, while others will
try an alternative, natural plan. We will look at some different types of
treatment for Autism.

Medication

There are many types of medications used in treating Autism. These medications
can be for different problems associated with Autism. Some are used to help
with anxiety that is often found in Autistic children. Autistic children
sometimes have problems with falling asleep. Medication can be used to help
with this. Antipsychotic drugs are often used in children dealing with
behavioral problems. These medications will not cure the Autism. Medications
can have terrible side effects. The child needs to be monitored closely while
on any medication.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy helps to teach the Autistic child to be independent. They
learn daily skills they need like dressing, or taking a bath. They will work on
fine motor skills. They also teach the child to use any devices they may have to
help them function in daily life. They will be taught safety measures. This
could be safety when outside, or dangers in the house.

Physical Therapy

Many Autistic children require physical therapy. This type of therapy can help
children with low muscle tone. They also work with young children on basic
motor skills. This can include walking, standing, and rolling. Many Autistic
children can have other health problems. These problems can benefit from
physical therapy too.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy will concentrate on teaching the Autistic child appropriate
behaviors. Usually this will include some form of a reward system. They are
taught how to act in social settings. This therapy is often done in the child's
home setting. The parents are taught ways to deal with the child's unwanted
behaviors. Usually an Autistic child will learn they will be rewarded for good
behaviors, and they will stop some of the bad behavior.

Speech Therapy

Autistic children often have a hard time communicating. They have problems
understanding non verbal cues. Some Autistic children do not speak at all, so
they have to be taught ways to communicate with others. Children with Autism
need to be taught about body language. Some children with Autism that do not
speak are taught to communicate by signing, or with the use of pictures. The
speech therapist will work on getting a non verbal child to speak.

These are just a few of the many treatments available to a child with Autism.
Not all children will require all of the treatments. The most important factor
is to find a treatment plan that works for your child. With proper treatment
your Autistic child can thrive.

Potty Training an Autistic Child

Potty training a normal, healthy child can be hard work. What do you do when
that child is Autistic? Maybe they do not even understand what it means to use
the potty. Here are some helpful suggestion when potty training and Autistic
child.

1. Make sure the child is ready to be potty trained. Just because all the books
says they need to be trained at two does not mean your Autistic child has the
ability to do so. Do they know when they are wet or have a dirty diaper? Do
they have a dry diaper all night?

2. Does your Autistic child have the skills to undress and redress. If not this
can making potty training harder unless you intend to let them run around naked
for the next few months. This can also make for a lot of time spent scrubbing
carpets. It is best to wait to potty train until your child can easily undress
and redress them selves.

3. Use a reward system when potty training. If they use the potty, or attempt
to use it give them some type of reward. This can be a treat or a toy. Make
sure that anyone working with the child knows they are to be rewarded for their
potty efforts.

4. Do not punish the child for accidents. If your child has an accident remind
them that is what the potty is for. Make sure everyone working with the child
knows this too. Mixed messages will not help.

5. Find out what your child's schedule is. It does not take long to do this.
When during the day are your child's diapers dirty? Use these times to sit the
child on the potty. You can keep a journal of the day to see a pattern in potty
time. Then you will know the times to focus on potty training the most.

6. Do not give up. If your child does not catch on right away do not give up.
It takes a few weeks for a new skill to be learned. If you keep switching from
diapers to the potty this will just confuse the child even more. Consistency
will be a key factor when potty training. This goes for any child not just
Autistic children.

7. Do not make your child feel stressed about potty training. If they think
they have to use the potty they may immediately turn against it. Let your child
see the potty and get familiar with it before they are made to sit there. Place
the potty out in an area for them to examine it for a few days . This will let
them become comfortable with the idea.

Remember Autistic children can take longer to catch on to a new skill. Do not
stress out about the potty training. It will happen when the child is ready. If
you are stressed the child will feel that, and they will have a much harder time
relaxing to use the potty. It could make them avoid potty training all together.
Just relax, your Autistic child will not be in diapers forever.
Melatonin Helps Autistic Children Sleep

Our bodies naturally produce Melatonin. In Autistic children the amount of
Melatonin produced is not enough. They have problems falling asleep at night.
Night after night of too little sleep can really take a toll on an Autistic
child. They can have more unwanted behaviors. If a child is not sleeping, most
of the time the parent is not sleeping either. This can make for a terribly
grouchy child and parent. Starting out the day tired can ruin the entire day.
The child will not want to cooperate with you or anyone else. This can make
therapy or doctors appointments very unpleasant.

If your Autistic child is having problems sleeping you might want to try giving
them Melatonin supplements. They can be found at most pharmacies, or health food
stores. Melatonin is a safer approach than using prescription medication.
Prescription medications can make the child dependant on them to sleep. The
Melatonin is naturally produced in our bodies. The supplement just helps to
make sure the body has enough to allow the child to fall asleep.

Melatonin should be given to the child about thirty minutes before their bed
time. The dosage should be the lowest that still is effective. Most Autistic
children do well on a dose of one to three milligrams. Always start with the
lowest dose. Too high of a dose can make waking the child hard. It can also
give the child nightmares. If too high a dose is given the child can still be
tired and groggy the next day. This is not the desired effect. You want the
child to feel rested and energized.

Melatonin usually does not lose it's effectiveness. The Melatonin should not
stop working with continuous use. If by some slight chance it does stop taking
it for a few days, or a week. Then when you restart the Melatonin it should
work fine. Melatonin taken in Autistic kids is found to have other benefits as
well. The children who take Melatonin are found to be more alert the next day.
Melatonin has also been found to help with some anxiety and depression. This
can be a way to avoid medications that sometimes have harmful side effects.

If your Autistic child is having problem sleeping Melatonin might be the
answer. Your child needs a good nights rest. If they are on any medications to
help them sleep consult the doctor before trying Melatonin. Melatonin should
only be given to the child once a day before bed time. If given in the middle
of the night it could interrupt the child's internal clock. This could cause
more problems than the lack of sleep.

If your doctor suggest a sleeping medication be used for your Autistic child
consider using Melatonin. It does not have any side effects. The child will not
become dependant on the Melatonin to help them sleep. It is all natural, and our
bodies produce the Melatonin. Some times our bodies just do not produce enough.
The Melatonin supplement adds the extra amount needed to fall asleep, and stay
asleep for a good nights rest.

Bottles of Pills: Medication Options for Autistic Patients

As with any illness, disease, or disorder, there are a number of medicine
options available to help control these symptoms. It is important to remember
that none of these medications will "cure" autism; they simply help control
some of the effects of the disorder. There are advantages and disadvantages to
each drug, as they all have side effects as well as benefits. When choosing
medicines to effectively treat autism, your doctor can make recommendations,
but since autism is a disorder which varies from person to person, you should
use drugs very carefully, watching to see how the body reacts to the treatments.

First, consider the safety of the drug. Some cannot be used in children or in
people under a certain weight. Make sure the dosage is easy to understand and
before you choose one medicine or another find out how it is administered
(pills, injections, liquid, etc). This is important if you are not comfortable
with certain methods, such as injecting yourself or your child. Also find out
how safe the drug is to individuals who do not suffer from autism. If you have
small children in the house, you'll want to be sure that the drug is not lethal
if it gets into the wrong hands. Find out what to do in case this happens, just
to be on the safe side.

Also consider the side effects of the drugs you are considering. While they may
be very good at controlling aggression, responsiveness, hyperactivity, or other
autistic tendencies, they may also cause sedation or other side effects such as
nausea or dizziness. Weigh your options carefully before beginning one of these
treatments, or you could find yourself with ten bottles of pills, each taken to
counteract the side effects of another. Also remember that medications may have
long-term effects. Will you or your child become dependent on the drug? Will
you be tolerant? How else will it affect the body over time? These are all
important questions to ask your doctor before beginning any medication.

You can research the many studies on these drugs at your local library or on
the Internet. Publications such as journals and healthcare magazines are
probably most current and most reliable, whereas you may get some altered
information on the World Wide Web, so be careful about following advice you
find without first consulting your doctor. He or she may also be able to
provide you with literature about the medication options available for autistic
patients. Do your researching on the many choices before making any decisions,
and you'll be able to better control your health.
Can Autism be Cured

This is a question that every parent of an Autistic child will ask at some
point. The answer is no. There is no cure for Autism. While you may see ads for
books, or products that promise a cure for Autism, they are misleading you.
Autism has no cure. There are lots of treatments that can make living with
Autism easier.

Here are some of the treatments that help with Autism:

Therapies

There are several types of therapies that can help with the treatment of
Autism. Occupational, physical, behavioral, speech, music, sensory, drug, play,
and many other types of therapy can make a big difference in the life of an
Autistic child. The therapies will not cure your child's Autism. They will just
help teach them different ways of coping with it.

Alternative Treatments

Natural and alternative treatments are on the rise. These can include the use
of herbs instead of prescription medications. The herbs do not have the side
effects found in traditional medicines. Vitamin and mineral supplements are
being found to help in treating Autism. Always notify the doctor of any natural
products you are using with your child. Some herbs can have interactions with
prescription medications. Remember again these herbs and vitamins are not
cures. They are just to help with some of the symptoms of Autism.

Nutritional Methods

Some people turn to the diet when treating Autism. They eliminate certain foods
that could cause sensitivities. Some of the foods the remove from the diet are
Gluten, dairy, and artificial dyes. The idea behind this method is that
removing the foods that cause sensitivities will remove the behavior problems.
You can have your child tested for food allergies. Ask your child's doctor
about allergy testing. This will let you know if your child could be having
behaviors due to a food allergy. It will also give you an idea of which foods
to eliminate from their diet.

There is no cure for Autism, but there are lots of treatments that can help
with some of the symptoms. When trying a new treatment only try one at a time.
This will let you know if it is helping or not. Allow enough time for the
treatment to work. Usually two or three months is enough time to tell if a new
treatment is working. There will be no miracle treatments that give immediate
results. If you are using a herbal or vitamin treatment inform the doctor. They
need to be aware of the things you are trying. Herbs and vitamins can cause
reactions with other medicines. It is important that the treatment team be kept
informed and on the same page. This will make your child's outcome a more
positive one.

Do not waste your money on products that claim to cure Autism. If there was a
cure available it would be told to you by your doctor, instead of some guy on a
late night infomercial. Continue to help your child by treating the symptoms of
Autism. This will help your child have a better life.

Busting the Autism Stereotypes

As with anyone with a physical or mental disorder, autistic people deal with a
wide range of reactions from others, from full support to uncaring ignorance.
Unfortunately, even those who support autistic family members, co-workers, and
friends may not understand autism very well. This leads to stereotypes, which
can result in hatred, embarrassment, or other unhappy situations. By becoming
educated about autism, you can help others in your community cope with this
disorder.

It is most important to note that not all autistic people are the same. Other
diseases and disorders have their own sets of rules, but autism is such a
complex medical condition, that everyone reacts differently to it. Autistic
people are usually rated on a functional scale, with high-functioning people
being able to hold jobs and low-functioning people needing 24-hour-a-day care.
Symptoms include behavioral challenges, uncontrollable movements, speech and
communication difficulties, and emotional inadequacies. Some show all symptoms,
while other show few, and still others may have most under control to the point
where you cannot tell they have autism at all.

Because every person is different, no one thing can be said about autism and be
true overall. However, most autistic people have trouble communicating emotions.
This does not mean that an autistic person does not feel. He or she simply
cannot express this feeling. It also does not mean strong relationship bonds
are not possible. On the contrary, many autistic people are happily married and
in love. Forming relationships is more difficult for most, but can be
accomplished over time.

Many people believe that being autistic coincides with being a genius in some
aspect. While it is true that some autistic individuals have extraordinary
math, music, and art skills, this number is nowhere near the majority-in fact,
relatively few autistic people function outside of the normal range in any
skill. This stereotype is perpetuated in the movies and on television, because
the story of a talented person fighting disadvantages (such as autism) makes a
good plot. However, this is not the norm, so nothing more than the best they
can personally do should be expected from an autistic person. However, it is
important to note that autism is not a form of mental retardation. Some
autistic people are mentally retarded as well, but most are not and should not
be treated as such.

In the end, the most important lesson to take away from your studies on autism
is one of tolerance. You will probably need to be patient when dealing with
autistic people, but by understanding a little more about the disorder, perhaps
this will be easier. Learn what you can and spread the knowledge to those you
know to help create a more tolerant setting for autistic individuals in your
community.

Autistic Forms of Teaching and Tolerance

Understanding how autistic children learn is key to teaching them with the same
intensity as you teach other children. This may seem like a straightforward
idea, but autistic children learn so differently that understanding autism
itself is a must when you teach autistic children. By becoming educated in the
disorder, teachers can effectively learn to deal with autistic children and
adults both in and out of the classroom, creating a more understanding world
for everyone

Autistic children are often visual thinkers. Thus teaching by speaking will not
be entirely effective. Teachers should combine pictures with words for the
autistic child to fully comprehend the lesson. For instance, if you are
teaching about the animals of the world, you should have a flash card with the
word "mouse," say the word aloud slowly and clearly, and show the child a
picture of a mouse. Perhaps even bring a live mouse in for show and tell. Nouns
may be easier to teach autistic children since verbs require action and can be
more difficult in illustrating. If you are teaching autistic children words
such as "sit" or "stand," you should complete these actions when you teach the
word. Also, because of the tendency to be visual, autistic children are often
unable to follow long sentences. They cannot decipher the sequence and become
confused. Thus, writing instructions can be very helpful when proctoring tests
or quizzes.

As visual thinkers, autistic children can often fixate on a particular object
or picture. If this is the case, try incorporating that object or picture into
lesson plans. If the child likes planes, try using planes for visuals wherever
you can in the lesson. For example, when teaching math, create word problems
about planes to interest the child. Autistic children also tend to be artistic
or musical, producing highly original drawings and showing above average
abilities with instruments or voice. Set aside time in the day for the arts and
encourage activities that the children enjoy.

Autistic children may also have trouble writing because of the control over
their hands and movement. This is frustrating for both the child and the
teacher. To reduce frustration, allow the child to use a computer. If you can
do this, make sure that the keyboard and monitor are close together as the
child may have difficulty remembering what he or she has typed recently.

By being open to teaching an autistic child to the best of your ability, you
are not only giving him or her the best opportunities in life, but you are also
being a good role model to the other children in the class. Do not allow an
autistic child to ruin the learning experience for others, but rather
incorporate his or her oddities into your lessons as much as possible. Creating
a more prejudice-free classroom is the best gift you can give this child.

Finding What Works: Dealing with Autism

When dealing with autism, just as in most other disorders, you will be faced
with a number of treatment options for yourself or your child. These include
treatments that are educational, behavioral, biomedical, nutritional, and
sensory. Unfortunately, for patients who are not affluent or who do not have
good medical insurance, the cost of these treatments can be pricier than what
they can afford. One way to ensure that you or your child receives the best
possible treatment for autism is to carefully monitor the effects a treatment
has over time. By finding out which treatments work and which do not, you can
stop paying for the ineffective methods and put more of your money into those
which are creating a positive difference.

First, evaluate the abilities of the autistic individual before treatment
begins. To do this, many services and organizations, including the Autism
Research Institute, provide a checklist of evaluation points that focus on
behavior and illnesses associated with autism. Autistic individuals tend to
have increasing functionality as they mature, so remember that some of the
positive effects in his or her life are simply due to the natural growth
process. However, after two months fill out the checklist once again and
compare it to the first. Are there any sharp positive increases in behavior
characteristics? If so, this is more likely due to the treatment.

It is important to begin only one treatment method at a time. If you try
everything at once instead, good and bad effects may cancel one another out, or
even if the effect is totally positive, you will not know which treatment method
is causing it and which are not doing anything. Of course, past studies can help
you choose which methods to use, but because autism is an extremely complicated
and individual disorder, these studies are not always helpful. Also, some
treatments are so new that the studies done are only on short-term effects,
which is usually unhelpful. Instead, it is a process of trial and error. Two
months is a good amount of time to study the differences within an autistic
individual trying a new treatment. After two months, if you do not see positive
improvement, you can discontinue your use of that particular method and better
invest your money in treatment options that work.

Remember that you do not always have to wait two months to make choices about
whether to continue or discontinue a treatment method. If the side effects of a
medication, for example, are interfering with the patient's life in an
unbearable way, then you should discontinue the treatment. You can also make
continual treatments based on immediate good reactions-just remember to
continually monitor the various methods. Autistic individuals grow and mature
just like everyone else, so treatments may stop working after time. Before
trying anything new, consult your doctor to make sure you are being as safe and
healthy as possible.

Eliminating the Source: What Causes Autism

Many parents hope that in finding a source of autism, this disorder can be
cured or prevented. Unfortunately, scientists have yet to find one single
reason why children develop autism. It is possible that someday autism will be
linked to a specific gene abnormality, but the more likely source is not one
thing, but a number of factors in a child's world. Autism cannot be prevented
or cured, so the best we can do to help autistic children and adults is be
understanding and willing to compromise to make the world comfortable for them
and ourselves.

First off, there are certain things that do not cause autism, and these myths
should be laid to rest immediately. Most importantly, bad parenting does not
cause autism. In the past, mothers were blamed for traumatizing their children
with cold parenting techniques, which was thought to lead to autism. This is
simple not true. Autism is also not caused by malnutrition, although food
allergies occur in my autistic children and some autistic children do benefit
from taking daily vitamins.

There are many links between autism and the brain. Most people with autism have
larger brains and they are "wired" differently than a typical brain. Differences
occur in many parts of the brain, so it cannot be targeted to one specific brain
malfunction overall, but rather a brain malfunction in general. Autistic
children also show signs of an immune deficiency. Evidence in this study is not
yet strong, but research is still being done. Many autistic individuals have
other health problems related to immune deficiencies. Overall, these things all
seem to point to genetics. Although autism is not the parents' fault, it is most
likely that autism was found elsewhere on your family tree, and it is not
uncommon for parents to raise more than one autistic child. Autism may also be
linked to vaccinations, although this is still being highly studied. The
benefits of vaccinations greatly outweigh the risks of them causing autism, so
you should not deprive your child simply because you are fearful. Talk to you
doctor if you have concerns about vaccinations.

Nobody knows what causes autism. Therefore, we can do nothing to prevent and
cure it, but rather we can simply treat the autistic people in our lives with
the best of our ability. Becoming educated in autism is the key-the more you
know about the disorder, the better you can help individuals who suffer from
it. Autism is a complex problem, and as researchers develop new understandings
of the way it affects the body, better treatment options will become available,
with the hope that someday we will be able to cure this disease.

Medicine Used to Treat Autism

There are many types of medications used to treat Autism. These medications
will fall into different categories based on the type of problem that is being
dealt with. Medication will not cure the Autism, it just helps with some of the
problems associated with it. Here are some of the medications used when treating
an Autistic child.

Antipsychotic

This type of medication is used to treat behavior problems in children with
Autism. They can also be used to treat insomnia, and aggression. This type of
medication should be used if behavior therapy is not working. Some times an
Autistic child will try to harm their selves. Antipsychotic medicines can help
control this.

Anticonvulsant

Some Autistic children have seizures. This type of medication is used in
controlling or preventing the seizures.

Depression and Anxiety Medications

A large portion of Autistic children deal with depression and anxiety. They
need medication to help control these feelings. These medications are found to
cause suicidal thoughts in some kids. Watch for changes in your child's
behavior.

Sedatives

Children with Autism sometimes have a hard time falling asleep at night. They
are given a sedative to help them sleep. There are natural alternatives that
can be used in place of sedatives. They will not make your child dependant on
them to fall asleep.

Stimulant

Stimulants are used in treating kids with hyperactivity. They are also used in
children that have a hard time paying attention or concentrating. These
medicines can help the child focus longer. This can be useful for a school age
child who is having problems paying attention in school. They can help a child
who is having trouble staying focused on their school work. This can mean a
difference in passing or failing.

Medications can help treat the problems found in Autistic children. Parents
need to be careful when using any medications with their children. Some of
these medications can have terrible side effects. Each child will react
differently to the medicine. If you notice the medicine is not helping consult
your child's doctor. Medications need to be combined with other types of
therapy to successfully work in treating Autism. Always use the lowest
effective dose of the medications. Do not start or stop a medication without
talking to your child's doctor first. Some Autistic children do not speak so it
is important to watch for changes in their behavior. If they begin acting
strange they could be having a reaction to the medicine, and need to see the
doctor.

Medication should be a last resort when treating Autism. If it must be used,
combine the medication with other forms of therapy for better results. Remember
the medicine is not a cure for Autism. The medicine just helps to lesson some of
the symptoms the child is experiencing. Always be sure of the correct dosage of
medication to give your child. Talk to the doctor about any long terms side
effects caused by the prescription. Also make sure to ask about any
interactions with other medications your child is taking. Sometimes medication
will be the only thing that helps your Autistic child. Just make sure the child
is monitored for any side effects.

Let Your Autistic Child be a Kid

Many parents with Autistic children are afraid to let their child be a kid.
They get so wrapped up in their child's treatment they forget to let them have
fun. They focus on keeping them safe, and become to protective. The child's
life becomes full of doctors, or therapy appointments. They get little time to
just be a kid. While it is important to keep your child safe it is also
important to give them time to do things they like. Here are some things you
can do to make sure your child gets to be a kid.

1. Give your Autistic child a certain time each day to do whatever they want
to. If they have a toy or game they like to play let them. Everyone needs a
break from doctors appointments and such.

2. Arrange activities for your child that they like. This could be something
like a trip to the park once a week, or a meal at their favorite restaurant.
Let the child pick the activity. Maybe they would like some time to spend with
grandma, or grandpa.

3. Let them run and play like the other kids. Kids like to run and play in the
dirt. This will not hurt them. Let them be a kid and have fun. Keeping them
sheltered will not help them. It will make them more afraid of being around
other kids. If they show an interest let them play with the other children. Let
the get dirty. They will come clean with a bath.

4. Do not teach your child to be a victim. Just because they are Autistic does
not mean they can not have a normal life. They need to be taught to not let
their condition stop them in life. Teach your Autistic child they can do
anything they set out to do.

5. Do not let your child's diagnosis of Autism become an excuse. Give your
child consequences if they do something wrong. Do not let them get away with
things simply because they are Autistic. Children learn pretty quick that the
excuse of their condition can get them special treatment. This will not help
them later on in life.

6. Give your Autistic child chores. Make sure they are chores the child is
capable of doing. This will give the child the pride of knowing they can
accomplish something. Give them rewards for completing the chores. The chores
could be as simple as making their bed, or picking up their toys.

7. Do not lower your expectations for your Autistic child. Teach them to always
do their best. Having a medical condition should not give them a reason to not
try. If they do not try they will never know their full potential.

Kids get hurt. They get dirty. That is all a part of being a kid. They will be
much happier. Do your part and watch over them, but allow them to have some
freedom. Even though your child has special needs allow them the chance to be a
child.

Autism and the School System

Autistic children will have special needs when it comes to schooling. Many
children with Autism go to public school and do just fine with some special
modifications. There are laws pertaining to kids with disabilities. Here are
some of the things you will need to know about Autism and school.

The Individuals With Disabilities Act

The Individuals with Disabilities act was passed to make sure all children
receive a free and appropriate public education that meets their needs. The act
requires children with special needs to have special education service as long
as they meet the requirements. Autism meets that requirement.

Free and Appropriate Education

This is an education that meets the special needs of your child. It is one that
allows them to make progress learning.

Least Restrictive Learning Environment

This means that your child will be placed in an educational setting that is
right for their special needs while allowing them to socialize with kids that
do not have a disability. The school will do what it can to meet the needs of
your Autistic child while keeping them in regular classrooms.

To figure out what special needs your child will need the school will evaluate
your child. This evaluation can be requested by the school or the parent. If
you think there is a problem write a letter to the school asking them to
evaluate your child. They will send a paper home for you to sign that gives
permission for the evaluation to take place. During the evaluation your child
will be tested for learning disabilities along with any mental, or behavioral
problems. After the evaluation is complete the school will have a meeting with
you to discuss their findings, and what can be done to help your child.

IEP

An IEP is used when a child has a need for special education services. The
group that evaluated the child will be part of the team that creates the IEP.
The parents will also have a say in what is included in the IEP. An IEP will
state the needs the child has to get an appropriate education. They will also
list the services the child is going to receive in the IEP. The IEP can be
evaluated at any time if the services are not working for the child. An example
of some services that might be included in an IEP are extra time when completing
class work, have tests read aloud to the child, or an aide is provided for the
child. Each IEP will be different for each child. The IEP will be evaluated on
a yearly basis unless the parents request it sooner. The parents have the right
to be at every IEP meeting held.

You are your child's best advocate when dealing with the school system. Some
schools will try to give you the run around. They will do whatever they can to
keep your child from having any special services in school. You have to be the
one to stand up for your child. You are their voice. If you do not feel
comfortable dealing with the school alone there are lawyers and advocates that
are there to help.

Are We There Yet? Family Vacations with Autistic Children

Although planning a family vacation with children may make any parents pull out
his or her hair, it can be a rewarding experience for everyone in the end. It is
no different if you have an autistic child in the family. The important thing to
remember is that you need to be prepared for whatever life throws your way. To
an autistic child, vacations can be scary and confusing, or they can be a great
learning experience, leaving behind wonderful memories the entire family can
enjoy.

First, choose your location based on your autistic child's needs. For example,
if he or she is sensitive to sound, an amusement park is probably not the best
idea. Quieter vacations are possible at small beaches and by going camping.
Overall, you should be able to find a location that everyone in the family
enjoys. Once there, plan out your days accordingly. For example, you may want
to see attractions very early or late in the day to avoid crowds. You also
might want to consider taking your vacation during the off-season, if you
children's school work will not be disrupted. These gives your autistic child
more comfort if he or she is nervous in crowded situations, and provides you
with piece of mind. When choosing a location, also note how far it is from you
home. How will you get there? If you have to deal with an airport, remember
that security may have to touch your child and be prepared for this.

Choose a location and activities that everyone can enjoy, but also that provide
learning and social interaction opportunities for your autistic child. For
example, a child that does not like touch sensations may enjoy the soft sands
of a beach, and the waves can provide a very different kind of feeling for him
or her. Being outside, a beach is also a great place for your child to yell
without disrupting others. Children who are normally non-responsive may benefit
from a museum , where they can ask questions and you can ask questions of them.

Remember that most people on vacation at the location you choose will have
never dealt with autism before. Try to be understanding of their ignorance-but
also stick up for your child if he or she is being treated unfairly. Know your
child's constitutional laws, and also be willing to compromise. For example, if
a restaurant is reluctant to serve you after your child caused a scene there
last night, explain the situation and ask if it would be possible to take your
food to go, even if this is normally not done. Try not to be rude to people;
staring often happens, but instead of snide comments or mean looks, ignore them
as much as possible and focus on having a good time with your family.

What is Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is also known as
PDD-NOS. This is where a child only shows some of the signs of Autism. They may
not show these signs at all times, or in all places. Usually PDD-NOS is first
seen in children three or four years of age. Yet some children show signs while
still an infant. There are different areas that the signs could be present. We
will look at two of these.

Social Interaction

The developmental delays in social interaction can often be seen when the child
is a baby. They may not look you in the eyes, or smile when you are interacting
with them. They do not hold their arms up for you to pick them up. They might
play off by their self. Some of the children with PDD-NOS may enjoy being
cuddled on occasion. They might enjoy rough housing with their older sibling or
parent.

These PDD-NOS children usually do not have problems with separation from their
parents. They also do not have issues with strangers. They may run right up to
a stranger like they would their parents. When the child is older they will
usually become close to their parents or other adults. They have a hard time
making friends. They do not like participating in games with other kids. Some
children with mild PDD-NOS will want to make friends, but since they have a
hard time dealing with other people socially this will be hard for them.

Communication Impairments

The impairments of communication in children with Persuasive Developmental
Disorder Not Other Specified can start while in infancy. The child will not
babble or try to talk like other children do. They may pick up a word and
repeat it over and over again.

Some PDD-NOS children pick up speech easy, but they have problems using the
right words in the right situation. They have trouble understanding the tone in
someone's voice when they are joking or using sarcasm. If someone tells them
something they take it literally. For example if the child was told it is
raining cats and dogs they would most likely go look out the window and expect
to see cats and dogs falling from the sky. Persuasive Developmental Disorder
Not Otherwise Specified children may only talk about subjects they are
interested in. It may seem that they are talking at you instead of with you.

Children with Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified have a
hard time with emotions. They usually experience emotions, but to the extreme.
If they are mad they have temper tantrums that last much loner than a normal
child. This is the same for fears, or sadness. They may have extremely happy
times. They usually will not show facial expressions that go along with the
emotion.

These are just two of the many signs of a child with Persuasive Developmental
Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. If you see these signs in your child speak to
their doctor about your concerns. They can examine the child to see if further
testing in necessary.

Tips for Getting your Autistic Child Photographed

The needs of an Autistic child can be photographing them very difficult. They
can have a hard time sitting in one position, or have sensory issues with
bright lights. Here are some tips for getting the perfect picture of your
Autistic child.

1. If you are going to a photographer make sure you let them know ahead of time
your child is Autistic. Let them know of any issues with bright lights, or
problems sitting still. This will give them time to make some changes if need
be.

2. Take pictures of your Autistic child at home, or on outings. A picture does
not have to be taken by a professional to be good. If your child has a hard
time sitting still get a picture of them while they are sleeping.

3. Take our child to get their picture taken during good times of the day. If
you know that afternoons are usually filled with temper tantrums ad meltdowns
make the appointment for first thing in the morning, or another time your child
is more relaxed.

4. If your child has a special toy that helps them feel relaxed take it along
to the photo session. It might help the child to remain calm while having their
picture done. If your child insists on holding the toy ask the photographer to
include it. If your child does not like to look directly at the camera have
their picture taken while they are looking up.

5. Have a photographer come to the house if you do not feel comfortable taking
the pictures. They can capture your Autistic child in their natural setting.
This might make your child feel more relaxed. Consider taking the pictures
outdoors.

6. If your child can not sit still for a picture allow them to stand, or lay
down if they choose. Do not try to force them into a position they are
uncomfortable with. This could lead to a meltdown. Allow them to direct the
photo shoot. If the photographer does not want to cooperate find someone else
that will.

7. Ask around. Find out where other parents have taken their Autistic children.
They may know someone who has experience with special children.

8. Wear comfortable clothes for pictures. There are no rules that say every
picture must feature your child in formal wear. Uncomfortable clothing can
really bother an Autistic child with sensory issues.

9. Do not push so hard for a perfect picture. Pictures of children laughing and
playing can be just as good as them sitting posed. If you keep pushing for a
perfect picture you might upset the child to the point of getting no pictures.

10. Give the Autistic child time to warm up to the camera. Let them see how it
works if they have not had their picture taken before. This can make them more
relaxed and calm.

Try and make the experience as calm and relaxing as possible. This will allow
your child to feel at ease. The pictures will turn out better by letting your
child e themselves.

Tips for Celebrating Holidays with Your Autistic Child

The holidays are all about being with family and enjoying the festivities. This
can be very difficult for a child with Autism. This does not mean the holidays
are ruined, it just means that as a parent you will have to take some
precautions. Here are some tips for celebrating the holidays with your Autistic
child.

1. Plan visits with family and friends for short time periods. If you plan
short visits your child is less likely to get over tired, or overwhelmed. Keep
the visitors to a few at time.

2. Do not force your child to participate in activities they do not like. If
you are having a family dinner and your Autistic child does not want to sit at
the table with a lot of people let them sit where they are comfortable.

3. Keep your child's schedule. If bed time is at eight in the evening, stick to
it. Explain to visitors that your child's needs come first, and they need their
sleep. Taking a sleepy child somewhere will be asking for trouble. If there is
something that requires them staying up later in the evening try to get a nap
in the afternoon. This will help the child enjoy the activity later in the day.

4. Spread holiday activities out over a few days. This way your child does not
become too overwhelmed. There is no rule stating that you have to visit all the
family in one day. They would much rather see your child in a happy mood than in
the midst of a meltdown.

5. Leave your child home while Christmas shopping. If your Autistic child does
not like crowds do not take them Christmas shopping. Leave them home with your
spouse, or other responsible care giver. It is hard enough to deal with the
crowded stores alone. It could be miserable bringing an unhappy child along.

6. Consider opening a few presents at a time. Opening Christmas presents is
very exciting to a child. To a Autistic child the excitement can become
overwhelming. An autistic child often has issues with over stimulation. By
opening a few presents at a time the child does become to overwhelmed, and can
enjoy their gifts.

7. If you have your child on a special diet make sure friends and family know
this. You do not want other people feeding your child things that could ruin
the progress you have made. Some people might not agree with your choices about
your child's diet. Be strong and stick to your beliefs.

8. Remember the reason for the holidays. They are meant to be spent with family
and loved ones. Enjoy the holiday with your Autistic child. Be thankful for all
you have in your life.

9. Reward your child for their good behavior while visiting others. This will
help with unwanted behaviors. The child will know they can earn a prize so they
will work harder on behaving.

10. Relax. If your child senses stress or anxiety from you they will become
uneasy.

The holidays with an Autistic child can be a wonderful time with a little extra
planning. Forget about the daily problems and struggles you have. Remember all
the good things you have. Most of all enjoy the holidays with your Autistic
child.

The Unfortunate Epidemic: Sexual Abuse in the Autistic World

One of the most perverse problems in an autistic individual's life is the
threat of sexual abuse. This can come in the form of rape or simply be in an
abusive relationship. Because autistic people spend much of their lives feeling
different and left out, they often enjoy sexual experiences for one reason: it
puts then on a playing field equal to others. It is very easy for this to
become a controlling part of a relationship. The most important thing to
remember is that autistic people experience sexuality in much of the same way
that others do, no matter how highly functioning they may be. Parents should
teach their child about sexuality from an early age in order to prevent sexual
abuse from happening.

The most valuable command that anyone can learn in relationship to sexuality is
"No." Teaching this to even children can be very useful. In this respect, treat
your autistic child as no different than you would another child-teach him or
her the parts of the body from a young age and be very clear, as the child
matures, about what happens during puberty and what kinds of behaviors are
appropriate and inappropriate. Be sure that your child understands the
differences between good touches and bad touches. This can be extremely
difficult for autistic children who are sensitive to touch in general. It may
be helpful to label "zones" on the body where no one should touch without
permission.

Also make sure that as your autistic child grows into an adult, he or she
understands what rape is and what to do if this happens. As many autistic
children are hands-on learners, it may be best to role-play some potentially
dangerous situations. If your child communicates non-verbally, teach him or her
clear signs to show a person to stop what they are doing. Autistic people can
often not understand that others have their own thoughts and emotions-they
believe that everyone thinks and feels what they do. Because of this, many are
shocked to find that "bad" people in the world will take advantage of sexual
situations. You may need to explain to an autistic individual what kinds of
dress and conduct are appropriate in public so that he or she is not
unknowingly attracting sexual attention.

You child should learn to respect his or her body and understand that others
need to respect it as well. This is only possible if parents and educators
teach autistic children about their bodies from a young age. By learning how to
stop sexual abuse, you can keep you children, autistic or not, safe from
predators.

The Terrible Teens -- Dealing with Autistic Teenagers

For most parents, one of the most trying times in their lives is during their
child's teenage years. When puberty hits, young adults go through serious
changes in their bodies and minds, and parents have little or no control over
many situations. In an autistic child, puberty is no different. Although your
autistic child is not experiencing puberty in quite the same ways as others his
or her age, major hormonal changes still occur in the body. This can lead to
extreme results, and this can be either good or bad depending on how your child
reacts to the new hormone levels.

One of the scariest side effects of changes in an autistic person's body is the
onset of seizures. Many autistic individuals experience seizures from birth to
adulthood, but even if your child does not suffer from these episodes, he or
she may begin to experience seizures during puberty and afterwards, due to the
new levels of hormones in the body. Strange as it may sound, violent shaking
seizures are not necessarily a bad thing. Almost a quarter of autistic children
experience seizures, but many go undetected because they are not textbook
versions of seizures. If you recognize that your child is experiencing a
seizure, you can do something about it, and doctors will be able to better
treat your child. However, if the seizures are subconsciously happening, you
and your child may not realize it. The result of these small hidden seizures
can be a loss in function, which can be devastating, especially if you child
was improving before puberty. Regular check-ups during puberty, therefore, are
extremely important.

The changes might not necessarily be a bad thing. New hormone levels in the
body and the other changes associated with puberty might help your autistic
child grow and succeed in areas in which he or she normally had no skill or
interest. Many parents report that their child's behavior improved, and that
learning in social settings was easier.

The important thing about puberty is to learn to monitor the changes in your
child very carefully and to ask your doctor lots of questions. Remember that
puberty is a difficult experience for any young adult, and so it will be even
more difficult for someone with autism. Try to practice patience and
understanding with your teen, and be careful to regulate his or her autism so
that the transition from child to adult will go more smoothly.

The Power of Music -- Musical Therapy to Treat Autism

Musical therapy is a relatively new treatment method for autism patients, but
one that should not be overlooking when discussing options. Patients who
receive musical therapy often should great improvement in temperament and
learning skills. Music connects to the non-verbal part of our brains, making it
a perfect therapy for disorders in which the patient has trouble communicating,
such as autism. Research this innovative treatment method if you are looking
for some help with autism and haven't had much luck in the past.

Musical therapy is effective because it can be used in conjunction with
learning social skills. Music is a very non-threatening medium for patients,
and many games can be played using music to help improve social and behavioral
skills. By encouraging eye contact while singing or using instruments that need
to get close to the face, musical therapy can help autistic individuals break
social barriers.

The number one way that musical therapy can help children, as well as older
autistic patients, is by helping with the development of speech skills. Music
is a way to connect the verbal and non-verbal functions in the brain. Autistic
individuals may have various forms of speech problems. Some can only hum,
grunt, or make other non-word noises, while others babble nonsensical phrases
or cries. Still others gain the capability to put together phrases and
sentences to communicate with the world, although these usually lack emotion.
Autistic people are known for monotone voices. However, no matter how skilled
the individual is with speech, he or she can participate in musical therapy by
clapping rhythms, humming along, or doing simple echoing songs.

Autistic individuals are commonly found to be particularly good at music. Some,
for instance, have perfect pitch. Others can play a particular instrument very
well, with little instruction. Even if he or she shows no genius musical
ability by normal standards, you may find that a particularly hard to deal with
autistic person has abilities in music that exceed his or her other abilities. A
musical therapist can use music as a way to link this kind of learning with
other kinds of learning, not only as speech development and social behavioral
development as previously discussed, but also as a way to communicate emotions
and develop memory.

By using all of these techniques in conjunction with one another, musical
therapy can work wonders with people who are autistic. Trained professionals
can use music to teach children and others how to communicate in nonverbal
ways, making it easier for patients to learn. Research the musical therapy
option to provide you or your child with another choice when treating autism.

Sounding Off: How Auditory Stimulation Helps an Hurts and Autistic Child

Sounds are a part of our everyday life, and so when dealing with an autistic
child who has sensory problems, sound is one of the first things you should
learn to control, especially in a learning environment. Sound can both be
hurtful and helpful for an autistic child. Because each autistic individual is
different, you must closely observe him or her to find out what types of
reactions you can expect from auditory sensory stimulation.

Loud or frightening sounds may be the most difficult type of sensory
stimulation in an autistic child's life. Many of our routine daily activities
include such sounds, hurting the growth process. Autistic children can not and
will not learn if they are frightened. For example, parents often find that
they have a difficult time toilet training their autistic children. This may be
due to the scary sound of the toilet flushing; witch could be overpowering to
and autistic child. Instead, try using a potty seat away from the actual toilet
until they get used to the idea. Another example is loud or crunchy foods. If
your autistic child is a picky eater, try to notice specifically which foods he
or she blatantly refuses to eat. Sometimes, food simply sounds too loud when
crunching in an autistic child's mouth, and these loud noises can hurt his or
her ears. If this is the case with your child, provide alternative soft foods
instead of crunchy carrots, apples, or potato chips. Other loud sounds, such as
a vacuum cleaner, may hurt your child's ears. Try to do these activities when he
or she is not in the room, or consider providing your child with earplugs that
he or she can use if the world gets too loud.

Sounds can also cause fixation. Some children, for example, constantly hum and
seem fixated on the sights and sounds of lawn mowers. Use this fixation to be
beneficial. For example, read stories about lawn mowers or use the humming in
conjunction with a song. Music is a great way in which autistic individuals can
learn, because sound is a form of nonverbal communication. Teachers and parents
should use this tool in learning environments. The key is to make sound work
for you and your child. Autism is a difficult disorder to handle, so by being
sensitive to your child's specific needs, you can help him or her learn to deal
with the sounds of everyday life.

Smooth Transitions: School to Work

One of the most major transitions in any person's life is that from school to
work. In high school or college, many people lead a protected life and are
still helped financially and otherwise by their parents. After school, these
ties are often cut, leaving the recent graduate to fend for his- or herself.
This transition is scary for anyone, but even more so for an individual with
autism. Because school is a time to learn to live with peers in a controlled
environment, the work force is a difficult concept for autistic people because
one must often deal with new situations daily rather than have the comfort of a
set living situation.

One of the main things autistic graduates need to learn is how to deal with
people in a business world. This includes proper grooming, something that may
not have been such a big deal in high school or college. Proper grooming, such
as brushing your teeth, wearing appropriate clothing, using deodorant, and
combing your hair probably comes natural for most people, but an autistic
person needs help with these tasks-he or she may not realize that they are
being inappropriate. By this stage in life, many autistic individuals who have
gone through schooling are at a maturity level where they can do the task
assigned with no problem and avoid outbursts in most situations. In fact, it
has been shown that some autistic individuals are highly skilled at tasks
involving things such as math or music. Learning a new job in the work force is
not the problem-relating to others in a social situation is.

These relationship problems also, unfortunately, help people take advantage of
autistic individuals. Most people who suffer from autism believe that all
people are like themselves, and inherently good. In business, it is sadly very
common to come across companies and business people who do not practice
ethically. This often shocks autistic individuals, who may have no idea how to
handle this sort of situation. Others in the work force may also not be skilled
to deal with autism, leading to bad relationships among employees. By hiring an
autistic individual, employers must not only teach them their new job, but also
provide direction for others who have to work with him or her. Intolerance in
the work force is common, and autistic individuals need to be prepared for this.

Overall, it is important for people with autism to realize that there will be a
major change between life in high school or college and life in the work force.
It is probably very beneficial for these individuals to seek help in the
transition from therapists, family members, or mentors. Going from school to
work is difficult, but with a little motivation and hard work anyone, autistic
or not, can succeed.

Signs of Persuasive Developmental Disorder

Children with Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
(PDD-NOS) show different signs at different times. This is one of the reasons
they are not classified as fully Autistic. Lets look at one of the signs
associated with PDD-NOS.

Unusual Behaviors

Children with Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified often
exhibit unusual behaviors. Some of these behaviors can include repetitive
actions. The repetitive actions can include hand flapping or movements of their
fingers. They may insist on eating the same food for every meal. They may become
focused on one topic and learn everything they can about that topic. For example
they may take a liking to baseball. They then will learn everything they can
about baseball. They might be able to tell you all the stats for their favorite
team.

Children with PDD-NOS often have a hard time with change. They want their
routine to be the same everyday. The littlest change can set them up for a
meltdown. They may arrange their toys a certain way and if someone disturbs
them it can be devastating to the child. Teaching them new skills can be very
hard to do. They do not want to change their routine to allow time to learn the
new skill. They may also not want to learn a new skill just because it is
different. They like doing the same things, and learning something new changes
that.

Some children with Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
will develop an attachment to some object. They may like the way the object
feels in their hand. Children with PDD-NOS usually like a certain texture. They
will keep switching objects until they find one that makes them feel
comfortable. The object could be something unusual like a rubber band, or a
piece of fabric. When they find an object they like it may be hard to take the
object from the child.

They can also have an attachment to a smell, or taste. If their mother was to
change her perfume it could upset the child. If their clothes were to be washed
in a new detergent they may not want to wear them. Something as simple as using
a different type of soap could trigger an uneasy feeling for a child with
Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

Sensory issues are often found in children with PDD-NOS. They might not want a
parent to hug or cuddle them, but they like to rough house. Kids with
Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified might like the way a
certain food feels in their mouth. They will only want to eat this food for
each meal. This can make getting the proper nutrition difficult. Sometimes loud
sounds can bother these children, or they ignore them completely. This makes the
parents question a hearing problem when really it is PDD-NOS.

Unusual behaviors are just one sign of Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not
Otherwise Specified. There are many other signs. If you see signs like this in
your child mention it to their doctor. They can tell you if it is something to
be concerned about.

Doctors and Diagnosing Autism

When a doctor first suggests that your child has autism, your immediate
reaction might be disbelief and the urge to seek a second, third, or even
fourth opinion. Because autism is so different in every child, it is a tricky
disorder to diagnose. However, there are a few key ways in which doctors can
efficiently identify autism in children, and if your infant or toddler is
showing any of these signs of autism, you should visit your pediatrician
immediately to express your concerns.

Autism occurs at a young age, rather than being a disorder an older child might
develop. It is usually detected before the age of three, and many times much
earlier. The first signs or autism are usually delays or regression in speech
communication. Another early sign is abnormal behavior in group play situations
and other social situations. The first step to diagnosing autism is a thorough
physical examination as well as a review of family history by a specialist.
Although your regular pediatrician will be able to spot unusual behavior,
you'll want your child to be examined by a professional who specializes in
autism and other similar diseases to make sure your child is properly diagnosed.

The next step includes hearing tests. Sine language and social skill delays
could be due to inadequate auditory sensations. There are two types of auditory
tests, one of which records the tones a child can hear and the other of which
requires sedation and measures the brain response to certain tones. Of course,
the first method is preferred, since it does not require any use of a sedative.
After auditory testing, your doctor may encourage testing your child for Fragile
X syndrome, which often times goes hand in hand with autism. Metabolism can also
be evaluated. To do this, your doctor will need a blood or urine sample to
analyze DNA.

An MRI or CAT scan can also be helpful in diagnosing autism. The important
thing is to work with doctors you trust. Second opinions can be very helpful,
but when your child has been diagnosed, stick with one doctor so that treatment
is uniform and so that your child will get used to this person. Autism is
difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat, so remember that you
should begin to learn as much as possible about the disorder as soon as your
doctor identifies it. If you have yet to speak with your doctor about abnormal
behavior in your child, do so immediately. By detecting autism early, you give
your child a better chance at becoming a high-functioning individual with much
more opportunities in life.

Accepting the Diagnosis of Autism

Receiving a diagnosis of Autism can seem overwhelming. You may be left with a
lot of unanswered questions about the diagnosis. You might be thinking the
diagnosis is wrong. This cannot be happening to your child. There are different
feelings and emotions you will experience when dealing with a diagnosis of
Autism. Here are some of the ways you might be feeling, and ways to come to
terms with the diagnosis.

Denial

Denial is a common feeling when dealing with any medical problem. Sometimes it
is easier to deny that there is even a problem. Some parents do not want to
consider that there could be something wrong with their child. So they pretend
like there is nothing wrong. The doctor was wrong, their child is perfectly
normal. Being in denial about the diagnosis will not help anything. The sooner
that you accept that your child is Autistic the better both of you will be. The
condition will not go away if you ignore it. Accepting the diagnosis and moving
on will be a huge step for you as a parent to take. The quicker this is done
the sooner you can start looking into treatment options.

Anger

Anger is one of the emotions you might feel when you get a diagnosis of Autism.
You might be angry with yourself, or angry with God. Why is your child Autistic.
You might be angry with other parents that have healthy children. This is a
normal feeling to experience. Remember while you are feeling angry to think of
all the great things about your child. Share your feelings with others. Keeping
anger bottled up can be a bad thing.

Grief

Sometimes when a parent gets a diagnosis of Autism they go though a grieving
period. They are sad that their child has something wrong with them. They may
be feeling sad that the dreams they had for their child may have to change.
They might be sad over the way the world will treat their child, and the
hardships they will face. Grief is a normal emotion to go through. The key is
to get through the grief, and on to the acceptance. Try not to look at the
things that are wrong. There will have to be some adjustments made to your
plans for your child's future. That is what life is all about , change. If you
find yourself unable to move past the grieving stage you might need to talk to
someone. It might help having a few therapy sessions to deal with the feelings
you are experiencing.

Acceptance

Finally coming to terms with the diagnosis of Autism can take awhile. Some
people are just glad to have an answer to what is wrong with their child.
Others have a hard time accepting their child is different from other kids.
Eventually you will accept that your child is different, and that is okay. Once
you have accepted the diagnosis of Autism you can start to help your child. Do
all the research you can on Autism. Think about how hard it is for your child.
They need you to be behind them in their treatments one hundred percent. The
first step to doing this is acceptance.

A Gift of Sight: Visual Perception Treatment for Autistic Children

Autism effects every child differently, so it is difficult to find the exact
treatments your child needs to cope with his or her symptoms. One thing that
effects some autistic children (though, not all) is problems with visual
perception. By using some standardized methods to help improve visual
perception, you can give your child the ability to see the world more clearly,
making learning and comprehension easier and possibly curbing some behavior
problems as well.

Autistic children mainly have problems with sensory overload and distortion.
These are some of the same problems many people not suffering from the disorder
develop, and so many treatment options have become available. Individuals with
autism often find, however, that the sensory overload of the world due to
light, colors, contrast, shapes, and patterns, is too much to handle, causing
them to act out or shut down in general. This is sometimes a genetic condition
that is simply enhanced by the autism, so if the child's parents have trouble
with reading or have been otherwise treated for visual perceptive problems,
there is a good chance that the child needs help as well.

The Irene Method is one effective way to treat visual perception disorders.
This method uses color to create a more harmonized world. You may have heard of
these methods if anyone has ever suggested using a color filter over the page
when reading to be able to read better and more quickly. This method is proven
to work, and if your autistic child is at the maturity level of reading, you
may want to try these color filters to see if there is a difference in speed
and comprehension. However, it is more likely that your autistic child will
benefit from color filters during the entire day, not just when reading.
Special glasses have been made using colored lenses to conquer this problem.
Not every child responds the same way to every color, so it is a process of
trial and error to find out which color is the one blocking the harmful light.
You can also choose to use colored light bulbs in your home to help autistic
individuals with their visual perception problems.

This method mainly helps children in 4 areas: depth perception, social
interaction, learning, and physical well being. The colors help the child
determine how far he or she is from an object, and the world becomes more
three-dimensional, helping depth perception. Social interaction also improves
because the child feels as though he or she is in a calmer world and can more
clearly see and interpret facial expressions. The colors make it possible to
learn, especially when reading, and overall, the child will feel better,
because it helps reduce headaches and dizziness. By testing this technique and
others to help visual perception problems, you can help your child better cope
with the world and his or her autism.

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