Autism-Articles

This is the most common question that parents ask whenever they notice odd behaviors from their children. A lot of people assume that if their child fails to talk at the age or 2 or 3, he is autistic. This is a big misconception. There are numerous reasons as to why speech might be delayed in toddlers, and a lot of other reasons why some children are not hitting their milestones, but sadly, autism is one of them. It is comforting to know though, that talking late in toddlers does not automatically mean that your child is autistic. Autism is a disorder that lasts a lifetime. It is referred to as a developmental disorder because symptoms normally manifest before a child reaches the age of 3 which is a critical period of development. It then causes concerns in the child's development, learning and growth. When a child has autism, the areas that are affected normally concerns delayed skills in the following: - Sensory - the way a child receives and process inform...

Autism, High functioning Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Non Specific (PDDNOS) Which autism spectrum diagnosis has your child received? I understand this is a very anxious time for you. You've found out your child has Autism, a developmental disorder which until recently you may never have even heard of. I know too, that like many other parents that when he was much younger, you felt something was wrong, but no-one would listen to you. They said you were over-anxious or a new parent and told you to wait and see. Well you waited, and this is how it turned out! There is no blood test for Autism, no MRI scan. Diagnosis is through observation and parent interview using DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). A diagnosis of autistic disorder is given when an individual displays 6 or more of 12 symptoms listed across three major areas social interaction communication stereotypical behaviour When a child display similar behaviours...

Is your child reluctant to speak and communicates only through gestures? Do you feel that he is not very expressive and beginning to withdraw into a shell? If you have even the vaguest suspicion that your child may have difficulty in expressing himself through words, you need to seek medical intervention. The sooner a child is started on speech therapy, the better the chances of the child's communication skills and intellect developing rapidly. There is a growing body of evidence that there are a number of children who are just late doing stuff so there may not be a real concern unless the child is over ten months old when he should be able to mouth complete words and not just babble. Experts believe that children whose parents spend quality time reading them stories, playing with them, and talking to them are the ones that will start to speak sooner and with a wider vocabulary. It is also believed that a child who is exposed to a lot of social interaction ...

Autism is a multifaceted brain disorder that influences a lot of aspects in a child's progress, which includes his social, motor and communication skills. The good news is, there are many ongoing studies which seek to understand autism. Experts say that early detection and treatment of autism is vital. There is increasing evidence that it's possible to detect autism in infants because early intervention can make a big difference in minimizing the symptoms and any other negative impact of the disorder, it is imperative for parents to understand autism's signs and symptoms. The symptoms of autism are normally noticeable by 18 to 36 months, and other mild symptoms may be apparent earlier than that; even during infancy. Therefore, parents should closely monitor or track their child's progress. If the symptoms are identified by 12 months of age or earlier, rigorous treatment may reverse the signs. Symptoms at the onset are easier to overlook primarily ...

If you've just received a diagnosis of autism in your child, then you know that autism treatment for toddlers is of the utmost importance. You are also most likely plenty scared about what will follow, and what you can do to help your child. Don't worry, that is a natural reaction. There are plenty of therapists, doctors and other parents that will be able to help you along your journey. Sensory Integration Therapy One kind of therapy that can be very useful in the treatment of autism in toddlers is sensory integration therapy. You see, most kids with autism have sensory issues - they will scream in agony if something is too loud, tastes bad, has an unpleasant texture, or is too busy or uncomfortable visually. We use the 5 senses to take in all our information about the world. Toddlers with autism, however, receive sensory information 100 times stronger than we do. Everything is magnified for them. This is one reason that your autistic toddler can often s...

Many parents are frightened upon finding out that their child is autistic. The prospect of raising a child who has autism is intimidating, and having an autistic child is an exercise in patience, certainly. However, it can also be just as rewarding an experience for parents as raising a normal child. Toddlers at any age and of any abilities can be a challenge, but there are some great ways to make it easier on your child as well as yourself. Do Some Research - With the internet, this is easier than ever. Don't let the internet be the end of your resources, though. While there are many websites and forums online for parents of autistic children - and it is helpful to join some of these to network with other parents - it's also important to pick up a few books. Keep in mind that all children are different and every method suggested will not work for every child. Get to Know Your Toddler - Autism is not a disorder that is the same from person to person. It i...