Kidica

Autism

How to help your loved ones live with autism

Autism is disorder of the brain associated with developmental problems in social interaction and communication. The first signs of autism generally appear before the age of 3, and affect anywhere between 3 and 6 out of every 1000 children.

Autism can range from mild to severe, and although the cause is unclear and there is currently no cure, treatment plans exist that can help people with autism learn to function within their limitations and live a meaningful life. The best way to help loved ones with autism is to understand the condition and to work with them in coping.

Symptoms

Autism affects three main aspects of a child’s development: language, social skills and behavior. A complete inability to interact with other people accompanies extreme cases of autism, while mild symptoms can include only slight problems in each of the three key areas. The following is a list of some of the symptoms associated with autism.

Language

  • Delayed development of speech
  • Abnormal voice modulation
  • Repetition
  • Inability to maintain a conversation

Social Skills

  • Poor eye contact
  • Short attention span
  • Insensitive to the feelings of others

Behavior

  • Repetitive movements
  • Rituals
  • Aversion to changes in routines
  • Sensitivity to touch, light and sound

Early Treatment

Intensive treatment from an early age can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life of those suffering from autism. Intensive treatment and education programs tailored to each individual case can drastically improve the symptoms of autism and put children on a better footing to function with their disability. Children with autism usually thrive in highly structured educational environments.

Medication

Though no drugs currently exist that directly improve the fundamental symptoms of autism, some medications can have beneficial effects on particularly troublesome issues, such as anti-psychotics that help control aggressive or repetitive behavior, and stimulants that help control hyperactivity.

Support

One of the most important things for autism sufferers is to have the support and love of a close group of people. Since people with autism often function best under very specific conditions, it is of the utmost importance that the people they are surrounded with are compassionate and understanding of their limitations.

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Grandmom just retired watching my grandson (love him to death) just want help. Should I be doing something that I am not. We play all day, he does sign, and says some words. Just want to make sure that what I am doing during the day is the right thing. Just want other grandmoms advice (get plenty from my daughter,lol). Thanks Sharon
Posted on 8/1/2010 11:42:00 PM by Anonymous
The "Spectrum" definition that CDC appears to have accepted represents a gross mischaracterization of what was heretofore recognized as a relatively well-defined syndrome. We now have legitimized a "garbage-can" set of characteristics, wherein children with a variety of social, educational, perceptual and intellectual deficiencies are added to the mix. The reason for the "Spectrum" approach is as obvious as it is pernicious. It enables an expanding variety of health-care providers to check a box on the DSM III list, and to thereby be compensated by the government and/or by insurers while offering testing, counseling, education and other forms of assistance to parents. Kanner's syndrome and Asperger's syndrome are serious, and should indeed be included as valid, with respect to the DSM list and with respect to financial compensation. But they are very rare, compared with the breathtaking numbers of children now being diagnosed as "Autistic" What justification is there for adding sensory defects, retardation, speech defects, dyslexia, and especially "behavior" and "developmental disorders" to the definition? Such numbers will swamp the true incidence of serious autistic diseases, thereby promoting a perception that autism is on a sharp rise? You must know that clinicians can easily classify millions of children as fitting the "spectrum" Dx, and thereby have their bills paid. I say that this is pernicious because of two facts; 1) the inflated incidence data fails to take proper note of the fact that when one adds a huge, vaguely defined number of cases of create the impression that the rate is rising, thereby justifying "more of the same" research...... research that accepts the Spectrum as a valid criterion;a misallocation of funds from other worthy NIH and CDC programs... and 2) The media accounts of scary, rising incidence of autism strikes terror into the hearts of pregnant women and others throughout the world. CDC is a marvelous and incredibly important institution. Please do what you can to clean up this mess.
Posted on 12/19/2009 2:35:00 PM by Anonymous
I have a grandson that is 2-1/2 and cannot speak. He hears the phone ring - says "Uh-oh". He has said, "Mom-Mom-Mom" but only when asked to say it. He knows the entire alphabet, all colors and numbers, is potty-training but will NOT attempt to talk. He has favorite tv shows and is deeply engrossed in them, loves Wheel of Fotune (letters and numbers!). Any suggestions for me?
Posted on 11/30/2009 2:08:00 PM by Anonymous
My son is 12 yrs &he doesnt write his name he some times goes to the restroom on his self & he needs help staying on task& he has been in a self contained class. for 4 yrs; please help with advice
Posted on 9/11/2009 7:08:00 PM by Anonymous
My son is 5 1/2 years old and was diagnosed with mild autism this spring. He is our only child and a bit of a handful at times. He has a habit of running around and touching or (gently hitting) people around him. No matter how much we try, we cannot get him out that habit. He is also quiet hyperactive and very hard to get him to sleep at night. Sometimes getting him to sleep beyond 11:00 p.m. His diet is pathetic. All he will eat is cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, waffles, fries, grilled cheese, pudding yogurt and sometimes spaghettio's. We have tried everything and he will not eat it, and will throw up if we try force him to try something. He seemed to do ok in Kindergarten (French) because they have the funding to bring in help when we can get proper documentation from our pediatrician. It's going to be a long haul I think. I wish you all the best with you're children.
Posted on 9/3/2009 7:31:00 PM by Anonymous
Im a nanny for two little boys. The oldest one is fine but the youngest one seems to have some issues. Ive worked with them since they were babies so Ive seen their growth. The youngest didnt sit up until he was about 7 months, crawled when he was almost one and then walked when he was 20 months. He is now two years old and doesnt say anything, not even mommy or daddy or no. Most of the time he doesnt answer to his name. I can scream his name right behind him and he wont even look back. When he was a baby I noticed he did some weird things with his face, he would stare at you from the corner of his eyes and then move his head. Ive taken the kids around my family and public and other people also think somethings wrong with him just from looking at him. What I dont understand is why wouldnt a doctor mention something to these parents? Why not get tested for something? Ive tried to mention the fact that he doesnt talk etc to the mom but she always brushes it off. I know she must know something is wrong. Ive tried to look online for symptoms but theyre all so vague. Does this sound like he might have autism?
Posted on 7/11/2009 9:11:00 PM by Anonymous
i have read some of ur comments and i think that ppl out there really dont know what autism is ... and i have yet to find a site that can help me in any ways .. as for that DAN defeat autism crap ... who wants to spend a $1000 for some one to tell me what i already know and have tried ... my Big problem is i cant get him potty trained .. he is 8 yrs old and still dosent know when to go to the bathroom ... can any one tell me what i can do ?
Posted on 4/21/2009 2:37:00 AM by Anonymous
hi i have a son that is 11 going on 12 and at 7 we were told he has bipolar disorder so we trid med. will that so far has not help so then we were told to have him put in a residential care facilities for 6 m. will he's back home and woris then he was now he dose not want to go to school ,they just said to us they could not help him but they did tell us that he now has been labled as also pdd-nos , pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified, so now we are trrying to find help for us , him and the new places we are seeing have said he should have been labled as autism a long time ago that it was very oveis that he had autism so for now i'm lookking help with this
Posted on 4/15/2009 12:37:00 PM by Anonymous
We have finally been told by the so called professionals that my grandson has autism. The doctors want to put him on medication, but we are scared to try anything like that with him. We are pretty sure that the series of shots he was given at 1 yr and 18 months had a big impact on him, with autism. He is 3 yrs old now and still not speaking. Hard to get the help we need, or even find a support group to help sort out the do and don't s of this all. Any suggestions for my daughter and grandson, please post a comment.
Posted on 4/11/2009 5:44:00 PM by Anonymous
c an a child have one aspect of autism? i have a 7 year old who is smart but he seems to react to things so emotional sometime out of control. He gets in trouble in school for the same social misbehavior. He says he knows but i am beginning to wonder.
Posted on 1/22/2009 5:41:00 PM by Anonymous
Maybe your son does not have autism. There are many disorders that mimick autism. My teenage son has ADD (which affects his ability to focus) and APD (which affects his speech). I did not give up on him (although I wanted to at times) I love him sooo much and he is a joy most of the time. I live in KY and can help.....
Posted on 1/10/2009 7:07:00 PM by Anonymous
i have a child with what seems like mild autism. he was diagnosed as not having it because he makes eye contact. but i believe it isn't true and his actions are the same as an autistic child. because he has brain damage from menigitis at birth, the doctors are focusing on that and not his behaviours. i am also at my wits end and every day now i feel that i will end up giving him up because i am a single parent and his older sister are depended on too much. i can not be in the same room for more than 5 minutes without telling him not to do something that he has been told countless other times not to do. he is not doing very well in the mainstream at school, so they out him in a remeadial class. he hits everyone from children, teachers, and teacher aids. this is how i found this site. because i want to give up on him, i can't handle the stress anymore.
Posted on 1/9/2009 2:49:00 PM by Anonymous
Hi i have a 14year old son with mild autism....i leave it in gods hands cause i done all i can do...i pray about it every night he's gettin better he acts different every day...comment me back....
Posted on 11/22/2008 11:29:00 PM by Anonymous
I have a 5 year old with autism. I have just found out, after years of dealing with doctors, that there are very simple solutions to some of their physical symptoms (such as chronic diareah, ear, nose, and throat trouble, just to name a few of the laundry list of health issues these children seem to face) I would strongly recommend to anyone seeking answers to these to seek out the help of a "Dan" or Defeat Autism Now Doctor. You will absolutely be amazed and appalled at what your regular pediatrician, or specialist for that matter, has not told you!
Posted on 10/27/2008 11:25:00 AM by Anonymous
Hello, i have a child with autism
Posted on 10/17/2008 1:20:00 PM by Anonymous