Autism

Autism Education – New Information and Communication Technologies

While in traditional education a face to face learning environment is prevalent, a new dimension comes into play in the relationship between educator – autistic child – computer which is characterized by emotional neutrality as well as playful interactivity.

The momentarily exclusion of the direct relationship with the educator, as the computer assumes this role, mitigates the emotional stress which is triggered by social encounters. This can facilitate the learning process.

Today’s common technologies for the education of children with autistic syndrome can be divided into three main approaches which often complement each other, depending on the skills to be developed:

1. Expression and communication skills
2. Cognitive and emotional skills
3. Interaction and social skills Read more…

Autism Strategies – Living With, Loving and Caring For a Sufferer of the Condition

There are perhaps close to a million children in the United States living with autism today. There is perhaps four times that number of kids that live in America with various syndromes that fall within the autism spectrum. This information is not meant to scare you; it is meant to give you strength in the realization that you are not alone.

There may not be a cure for autism just yet, but there is a lot of research that is ongoing with the greatest strides achieved only within the last couple of decades. It is only a question of time before someone finds the cause and/or the cure of the severe developmental disorder that has rendered so many children unable to enjoy their childhood, or any parts of their lives whatsoever. Read more…

Why Autism is Not the End of the World

I don’t get it. Many people just lose hope too soon, especially when it comes to medical conditions such as autism. This article goes motivational – showing you why you shouldn’t give up just because your loved one has the condition.

You see, no one really knows for sure whether autism can never be cured. All who say it has no cure only know what pertains today. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. The fact that it can’t be cured today doesn’t mean it can’t be cured tomorrow. So, what is very important when it comes to this or similar conditions is to keep an open mind and be hopeful that tomorrow might bring better news, re a cure or lasting solution. Read more…

Women With Asperger's Are Wrongly Stereotyped

Autism is on the rise, especially Autism Spectrum Disorders such as Asperger’s Syndrome. It is reported that about three quarters of those diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome are male. A mere one out of ten are women. Upon my diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 32, I found myself inundated with the typical male stereotypes of this disorder. “You can’t have Asperger’s because you function so well!” Really? I would challenge anyone that claims that I “function well” to talk about my life with me. Lets see, yes, I have been married for eleven years and I have two children. Not that I place my marriage in the news for public scrutiny, but I will admit that our marriage has been anything but easy. In fact, we have been in and out of marriage counseling for years now, and I am extremely vulnerable to relationship predators whom tried to tell me just why I wasn’t happy. Lets see, going down the line.

Career? Well, I owned my own business for ten years. Did I profit? Not really. I made a small living for myself, but in the end I emassed so much debt in order to keep our family in a comfortable “self employment role” that I couldn’t pay it back. Kids? I’m a good mom. Both my children are also diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, and my kids think I’m fun. Anyone else that spends any large amount of time with me will find that I am adventurous, a joker, silly, and never able to live too serious of a life. My kids dig that, and they prefer to spend their time with me as much as possible. I can’t really say I am anything close to a nuero-typical “soccer mom”. In fact, my kids are oftentimes forced to quit events because of my lack of interest in getting them to their functions.

Socially I could pass as “normal”, in fact, for my entire 33 years I have passed as “typical”. Still, this comes from years of having to supress my true feelings of fear, depression, anxiety, and obsession. Living a life undiagnosed oftentimes leads women with Aspergers to the point of professional intervention. Mine was during my marriage problems. While we were going to a very good psychologist here where we live, we learned that many of our issues were based on not knowing how to “be married”, but also, my psychologist started to pick up on many of the classic signs of autism. I have sensititivities to sounds, smells, to this day I can’t be around a smoker, I can’t stand to hear shopping carts clank together, and if I get into an argument with someone, I will hold a grudge for years. Read more…

Puzzles For Cures Releases Autism Ribbon Floor Puzzle

Though I am a teacher first and foremost because I adore the kids, I admit that a wonderful extra benefit is getting to know the children’s families. I was blessed to meet the Ambrose family when I taught two of their three children several years ago. Having one child with special needs, Susan Ambrose has worked tirelessly to help raise funds and awareness for other causes.

Her company, Puzzles For Cures, is pleased to announce that they have received written approval from the Autism Society of America (ASA) to use its patented ribbon, created with colorful puzzle pieces, to manufacture a puzzle of the well-recognized symbol. The puzzle has already been well received as an effective fundraising tool by groups including schools, therapy facilities and united groups of parents.

Today, 1 out of every 150 children (4 out of 5 boys) born in our country has been diagnosed with Autism, which is the fastest growing developmental disability. These puzzles have many benefits. Fundraising dollars are being used for therapies and professional seminars; children are enjoying this educational toy; and Autism awareness is being raised throughout many communities.

Susan fully understands that no disability comes invited and that acceptance is key. She has been faced with many choices and challenges with her own child, which resulted in a strong desire to do something positive to help meet such choices and challenges. Read more…

No Child Ever Needs to Suffer From Autism Henceforth – Read This Article and Find Out Why

For sometime now, awareness about Autism is growing through seminars, movies and even through ad campaigns. Getting the child diagnosed early at the first place is a serious issue. Earlier the disorder is diagnosed and detected, the better for the child to respond to any or every therapy.

Autism basically makes the kid see the world differently and it is the inability of the autistic child to communicate that makes this neuro-developmental disorder vulnerable.

There are several theories and hypotheses on the cause of Autism and a consensus on the same is hard to find. At present, researchers understand that a combination of environmental and genetic factors could be the plausible cause of Autism.

The treatment modalities based on scientific research and studies have evolved to challenge the Autism now. Thanks to advanced medicine research. No big deal still, because there is no standard approach or modality that is considered as a universally accepted treatment for Autism. General approaches are biochemical that deals with diet, food supplements, medication and vitamins, Psycho dynamic approach delves into psycho analysis and then the neurosensory approach which involves daily life therapy.

Additionally, there exist behavioral treatment programs and that include giving instructions to child, prompting the kid to perform specific behavior, praise and reward programs for the child, all these helps to improve autistic condition of the child manifold. However, depending upon the specific condition of the child, certain treatments are more successful than the others. Read more…

Kids With Autism – Risperdal and Similar Psychotropic Drugs May Produce Negative Responses

Jean Genet, a brain researcher and an autism survivor himself, truly believes that psychotropic drugs (i.e. Risperdal) can produce negative responses for the child over time. Although it is a stimulant drug which is known to fight ADHD, it is not immune from negative consequences. This is why kids with autism should be given better forms of treatment if possible.

What psychotropic drugs do is that they use the central nervous system’s energy as a fuel to the responses that they produce. However, the time it takes to entirely use this energy is relative to the child. The more active the child is, the faster the consumption of this energy will be.

If you want to detect when the psychotropic drug is about to exhaust the energy of the child’s central nervous system, you can do so by observing how aggressive the child’s behavior is. If s/he cannot sleep easily, lacks appetite and is unusually depressed, then the energy has most likely been used up. And since kids with autism are usually very on-the-go, it is easy to detect this behavior.

They say that when the symptoms of energy loss begin to surface, you need to increase the dosages. But then again, the symptoms will only become worse. Read more…