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Saturday, September 18, 2010

Articles On Children With Autism - Discover Why Children With Autism Have Abnormal Relationships To Objects And Events

Children with autism experience a difficult opportunity relating to what is deemed to be normal, in relation to events and objects. Most of such individuals hold a way of interacting in on objects or events, with their behavior, such a performs not relate to the objects or events. The result is, abnormal relationships to objects and events.

Most individuals with autism will become upset, if the objects or schedules are changed. For example, if your child is familiar with taking a certain stuffed toy to bed with them and it is changed to another stuffed toy, the individual may become resistant, difficult to manage. This could also happen, when the routine of bedtime is changed, and the need for knowing what to expect or predictability, is changed, or challenged. This is considered to be an abnormal relationships to objects and events.

It has been viewed, that children with autism do much better, when there are no changes, routine stays the same, events and objects stay the same. This kind of life-style that the child with autism has, when predictability is present, puts stress on the parent(s), and the rest of the family. They too, become resistant, frustrated and challenged by this behavior.

There have been discussions and thoughts, that when a child with autism, chooses the same predictability, they are attempting to control, manage and predict what they want from their parent(s), but the child is, also out of control.

To have a healthy growth and relationships, that are not with objects and events, a child with autism can be taught, that there will be changes, schedules will change, environments will change and objects will change. Therefore, abnormal relationships to objects and events will become normal and less stressful.

Another area to consider with individuals with autism, is their play time. Some do not play at all. They do not want to interact with play objects, such as cars, trucks, dolls or other toys. This is an abnormal relationship to objects and events.

In addition, they may go out to dinner with their family and it is a different place, not the usual one they go to, which is routine, which may cause the child to have an anger outburst, be resistant, become hard to handle, because it is not scheduled. This again, is to be considered abnormal relationships with objects and events.

With patience and understanding, that your child needs to grow and be taught, to have healthy relationships to objects and events, by making changes. This will happen in their life and yours. You as parent(s) must not allow your child to control you, because your child does not like the changes being made with objects and events.

Encouragement, treatments, with individuals with autism, will direct a positive way for your child, to be taught that changes with objects and events can be enjoyable. Never give up on them! Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Articles On Children With Autism program now!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Free Social Stories For Autistic Children - What Are Social Stories?

Social stories are one of the techniques the are used in children with Autism. Although such is completed in a structured way for children with Autism it is a technique that has been spent for centuries. Parents own constantly talked and illustrated imminent situations in an endeavor to ease the children's fears.

Many times social stories are written with the childs' name as the name of the person in the story. For some children this seems to be an easier way to talk about themselves. It is almost like talking about a child like they are someone else. On some level a child with Autism does seem to understand that the story is about them.

A social story to describe future behavior will help a child with Autism calm their fears as well. More importantly it can help shape their behavior. The story does not have to be long or complex but it does need to show the child what a parent expects to happen and what a parent expects the child to do.

Many non-verbal children like to listen to stories. One of the suggestions is to write the story. Try to keep it to one page. Read the story to your child and give a copy to them. It may well surprise a parent that the non-verbal child wants a copy.

Keep in mind that we do not always know how much non-verbal children understand. They may be able to read some or part of the story. The only caution in this process is to be careful with children who eat paper.

Social stories can also be used to go over past behavior. The twist with this type of social story is that you can change what your child did in the past in this new story. Of course in this way you can supply information about behavior in a way the child can 'get it'. Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Free Social Stories For Autistic Children program now!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Careers With Autistic Children - Child Autism And Transition To Adulthood

When contemplating the subject of autism and transitioning to adulthood, many parents of autistic children can become very overwhelmed. In reality though, preparing an autistic child for adult livlihood is not that much different as opposed to for a ordinary child. It is simply more intensive and time consuming. Here are a couple of Times to do to help your child with autism and transitioning to adulthood.

Most parents embark on thinking up and planning for their autistic child's transition to adulthood roughly the long period of time the child turns fourteen. This is a good age to start preparing them for how comes subsequent to the childhood and school stage. Many autistic children can become functioning adults in on careers of their own, but the evolution must be set ahead of time. Begin by researching choices to expose your child to weird careers.

Capitalize on this interests. If a child loves animals, set up a day at which he or she can go and shadow a veterinarian or see what a zoo keeper does. It is also helpful if there are opportunities where the child could volunteer on a ordinary basis. This way properties can get hands on experience such a should blessing them see if such is the ideally path for them.

It is also very important to have a concrete plan. Write down your goals for your child and what you plan to do to help them accomplish those goals. You plan should include things like your child's interests and hobbies.

It should also detail your strategies to help them have a successful life after they have finished school. Another component of the plan would be short and long term goals for your child aimed at transitioning them into independent life. Lastly, you should have a course of action that you plan to follow in order to make these plans a reality. Don't feel like you plan is set in stone. It should be revisited periodically to ensure that it is still relevant and that the goals are still in line with what your child wants for their life.

Start talking to counselors and others who have experience in these things and can guide you. It is also good to research what kinds of benefits your child might qualify for as well as any special services he or she may be able to utilize. Again, autism and transitioning to adulthood doesn't need to be as daunting as it can seem. As long as you have a realistic plan that is well laid out, you can make the transition from childhood to adulthood a successful one for your child. Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Careers With Autistic Children program now!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Mild Autism In Children - Autism In Children And The First Steps To Take If You Suspect Your Child Has The Condition

Autism is now a source of concern to many those in the United States. The state is very common and most likelihood components have carried on attributed to it. Improper parenting, gluten diet, genes, chemical imbalances in the brain are particular of the common risk factors renowned to cause the disease, but there's still no real scientific suggestion to lots of these possibility factors.

If you think that autism is a new form of disorder then you are not getting the right picture. The condition is one of the pervasive disorders just like the asperger's syndrome and Rett's disorder. A child with autism is in a world of his own displaying some behaviors that are inimical to social norm. The parents of the autistic child could be frustrated when they discovers their child not responding to gestures nor making any signs in that matter. Hence, children with autism display lack of communicative ability every now and then.

If you suspect your child displaying any these symptoms then you may like to get the attention of the doctor who is going to diagnose the patient and treat him or her. This step should not be overlooked because you are going to learn or be guarded on how to cope with or deal with such a child.

The pediatrician can tell you details about the autism condition and all the related symptoms you might not have known in the past. Ask him or her to guide you on this. In the internet there several websites, such as this, which give you more details about this condition. You may like to avail yourself of the opportunity to learn all there is to learn about it, especially learning how to effectively deal with the condition or at least manage it. Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Mild Autism In Children program now!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Mild Autism In Children - Autism In Children And The First Steps To Take If You Suspect Your Child Has The Condition

Autism is now a source of concern to many those in the United States. The state is very common and most likelihood components have carried on attributed to it. Improper parenting, gluten diet, genes, chemical imbalances in the brain are particular of the common risk factors renowned to cause the disease, but there's still no real scientific suggestion to lots of these possibility factors.

If you think that autism is a new form of disorder then you are not getting the right picture. The condition is one of the pervasive disorders just like the asperger's syndrome and Rett's disorder. A child with autism is in a world of his own displaying some behaviors that are inimical to social norm. The parents of the autistic child could be frustrated when they discovers their child not responding to gestures nor making any signs in that matter. Hence, children with autism display lack of communicative ability every now and then.

If you suspect your child displaying any these symptoms then you may like to get the attention of the doctor who is going to diagnose the patient and treat him or her. This step should not be overlooked because you are going to learn or be guarded on how to cope with or deal with such a child.

The pediatrician can tell you details about the autism condition and all the related symptoms you might not have known in the past. Ask him or her to guide you on this. In the internet there several websites, such as this, which give you more details about this condition. You may like to avail yourself of the opportunity to learn all there is to learn about it, especially learning how to effectively deal with the condition or at least manage it. Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Mild Autism In Children program now!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Signs Of Pdd - Simple Ways To Identify Signs And Help Your Child

Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is a diagnosis given to a child who has some signs of autism, but not all. PDD-NOS is mostly diagnosed in toddlers, but can be seen earlier.

Children providing developmental delays plans to be checked out to see if they have autism, but can be diagnosed providing Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, that is milder than autism.

Children with PDD-NOS will show different symptoms. All children grow at a different rate so the symptoms vary with every child. Children with PDD-NOS could have problems with social interaction and issues communicating with parents and peers. These are two of the problems children with PDD-NOS can show.

When a child has delays in social skills, they can show it at a very early age. Babies won?t make eye contact or cuddle. This is hard for parent's to deal with so you should talk to your child's doctor if you notice any of these problems. As the children get older they might enjoy playing by themselves and have no problems not interacting with children their own age. They will have no problem separating from their parents and no problem talking to strangers.


Children with a milder form of PDD-NOS can have different forms of social problems. Some children want friends, but don't know how to make them because of their social problems. As the children get older, they usually become closer to their parents and others that are around often, but don't know how to make new friends and interact with new people.

Speaking and communicating is a problem with some children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Unfortunately, this isn't something that is noticed until the child starts getting older. As babies, they may not babble and parents might find this a blessing not dealing with a noisy baby. However, as they get older they won't speak. On occasion a baby will pick up one word and just repeat it. This will be the only word they say and won't learn anything new.

There are more problems than just learning how to speak. Children with PDD-NOS can have a tough time learning new words, but they will also have a difficult time picking up facial expressions and tone of voice. They won't understand when someone is joking or being sarcastic. They take words literally. Children with PDD-NOS have to learn the distinction between these issues. Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Signs Of Pdd program now!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Autism Language Delay - Can A Child Display Autistic Traits And Still Not Be Autistic?

With it featuring so immensely in the media (and rightly so) a fear that many parents hold is the possibility that their child or children may be diagnosed with autism. However, before jumping to conclusions should you observe some symptoms or traits of autism in your child, it is important to get a proficient diagnosis and to look carefully to that diagnosis to craft certain that there isn't something else causing the autistic behaviors to occur. There are a number of a greater amount of health problems and disorders this are commonly misinterpreted and misdiagnosed as autism.


Misdiagnoses of autism can occur among the various autism spectrum disorders, or it can be connected to a completely unrelated condition. Parents should make sure to share all observations and considerations with the child's doctor so that possible alternate diagnoses the appropriate attention.

There are five conditions within the autism spectrum, and each of them can easily be mistaken for another.

These are:

1. Rett's Syndrome - this is a condition found only in girls which was discovered back in 1966. It is currently believed by scientists that this is not an inherited condition, but is the result of a random genetic mutation. Symptoms of Rett's Syndrome do not become apparent in babies until 6 to 18 months of age. When Rett's Syndrome starts to become apparent, the development of the baby begins to slow and their heads no longer grow in a normal way. Normal speech does not develop and repetitive hand movements, unusual walking patterns, and torso shaking begin. Children with Rett's Syndrome also frequently experience seizures, breathing problems, rigid muscles, retarded growth, and other health issues.

2. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - this disorder almost always occurs in boys, and is extremely rare. Until the age of about 42 months, the child appears to be normal, but a dramatic linguistic and social skill loss then occurs. The child may also start experiencing seizures and lose bladder and bowel control. Typically, these children experience low intellectual development. CDD is the easiest of the autism spectrum disorders for doctors to diagnose.

3. Autism - Autism itself is often referred to as Classic Autism, Kanner's Autism, or Early Infantile Autism. Until its recognition in the 1940's, children with autism had been diagnosed as emotionally disturbed or mentally retarded. Autistic children show many different kinds of symptoms that also occur in other physical and mental disorders, making it easy to misdiagnose. Among them are issues with sensory integration and information processing, leading to a series of different kinds of behaviors.

4. Asperger's Syndrome - Asperger's Syndrome children are frequently mistaken for children with high-functioning autism. The syndrome does not typically present itself until after three years of age, as these children tend not to show any issues with language acquisition and use. Instead, they commonly form extreme interests in narrow subjects, and are often known for frequent (though not universal) ability to recite full book texts or movie lines, as well as a seemingly endless line of trivial facts. Some autism-like traits may present themselves, such as the desire for a strict routine, a struggle with social interactions and communication, and an inclination toward repetitive behaviors. Some also struggle with vocal control. Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Autism Language Delay program now!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Adhd Diagnosing - Diagnosing Adhd In Your Child

Everyone in a private practice setting who runs with children or adults is going to suffer their own perception on how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADD or ADHD - should be diagnosed. Some clinics take the perspective that "more is good," and will recommend a large battery of tests, often losing many thousands of dollars. Other clinics, typically amid hurried physicians, will just give a brief display scales to the parents and then make a quick diagnosis and prescribe treatment, normally a medication. Unfortunately neither of these kinds of extremes is in the patient's best interest. If you are the parent of a child or teenager who is struggling in school, and perhaps at livlihood in general, you should be familiar with what causes this disorder we clamor Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

First, the symptom of inattention. The person has trouble with focusing on the right thing, long enough to get it done. A lot of people, including his parents, complain that he just doesn't seem to listen when spoken to. Because of not sustaining attention, or because of acting like a "space cadet," he doesn't finish his chores or homework. He can't keep his mind on what he's doing for very long unless it is very exciting, or very entertaining, and he doesn't pay close attention to what he's doing, so he makes a lot of careless mistakes. Video games are an exception because they give immediate feedback, they are exciting, and they are fun. Chores and homework are not.The inattention is seen most with homework, chores, and other boring things that you want him to do. He's really disorganized. Most commonly this is seen in spending three hours to finally finish his homework, then losing it at school (it's in his backpack), or forgetting to turn it in. He really tries to avoid doing homework or chores. He gets distracted easily, or pays attention to the wrong thing at the wrong time. He is often forgetful and has to be reminded to do things often. The great majority of people diagnosed with ADHD have problems with inattention.

The next classic symptom is poor impulse control, or a lack of self-control. Not all people with ADHD have this problem, but many do. He often blurts out answers in class.

He can't wait his turn when he is playing games or at school, and pushes ahead in lines. He interrupts others a lot, he just doesn't wait well. He tends to do things without thinking about them first, and says things he doesn't think about first. He does not consider the consequences of his actions. About half of those diagnosed with ADHD are hyperactive. Since the word "hyperactive" is in the name itself you might think that everyone with the disorder must be hyperactive, but such is not the case. There are probably five or six types of ADHD, each one different from the other in terms of brain function. You can learn more about the different types of ADHD at the ADHD Information Library. How do you know if your child or teen is hyperactive? He has happy hands and feet which fidget and squirm a lot. He just can't stay in his seat for very long when he's supposed to at school or the dinner table. He may run around too much, or climb on things he's not supposed to. He is often just too loud. He is "On the go" as if he is "driven by a motor." He talks too much. He leaves footprints across the ceiling. It is important to note that at least some of these symptoms must have been seen before the age of seven. Also, that at least some of the symptoms are seen both at home and at school.

Also, that these behaviors are really a problem. Not just a little bit, but a lot. Please be aware that there are several reasons why a child could have these symptoms besides Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. For example, thyroid problems, depression, anxiety disorders, hearing problems, and so on. Please do not attempt to "diagnose" your child. See your doctor, or go to a qualified mental health professional. This web site is no substitute for talking with an expert. Keep in mind that over-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a big problem. There are some children who are diagnosed as having ADHD that do not have it. It is not uncommon for someone with depression, or anxiety, specific learning disabilities, early onset bi-polar disorder, or Tourette's Syndrome, to be diagnosed as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

This is often the result of a diagnostic "work-up" which is too brief and does not take into account the many reasons why a child might be inattentive, impulsive, or over-active. But over-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is not the only problem. Under-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is also a problem. This happens most often in the school setting where the school psychologist writes his report perfectly describing an individual with ADHD, then refuses to use the label "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" in his report anywhere.

It also often happens in therapist's offices where the therapist is not familiar with the neurological aspects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and only sees the characteristic behaviors as "acting out behaviors" due to family problems, rebelliousness, and so on. Therapists operating entirely from a "Family Systems" orientation are especially at risk for making this mistake, as I admit I did for my first two years in practice.

Some studies suggest that only one out of three people who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder will ever get help. Two out of three people who have ADHD will never receive a diagnosis or treatment. They will never really know what it is that's bothered them through their life. So we have two problems. One is the over-diagnosis and the other is the under-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder. First, the symptom of inattention. The person has trouble with focusing on the right thing, long enough to get it done. A lot of people, including his parents, complain that he just doesn't seem to listen when spoken to. Because of not sustaining attention, or because of acting like a "space cadet," he doesn't finish his chores or homework. He can't keep his mind on what he's doing for very long unless it is very exciting, or very entertaining, and he doesn't pay close attention to what he's doing, so he makes a lot of careless mistakes. Video games are an exception because they give immediate feedback, they are exciting, and they are fun. Chores and homework are not.The inattention is seen most with homework, chores, and other boring things that you want him to do.

He's really disorganized. Most commonly this is seen in spending three hours to finally finish his homework, then losing it at school (it's in his backpack), or forgetting to turn it in. He really tries to avoid doing homework or chores. He gets distracted easily, or pays attention to the wrong thing at the wrong time. He is often forgetful and has to be reminded to do things often. The great majority of people diagnosed with ADHD have problems with inattention. The next classic symptom is poor impulse control, or a lack of self-control. Not all people with ADHD have this problem, but many do.

He often blurts out answers in class.
He can't wait his turn when he is playing games or at school, and pushes ahead in lines. He interrupts others a lot, he just doesn't wait well. He tends to do things without thinking about them first, and says things he doesn't think about first. He does not consider the consequences of his actions. About half of those diagnosed with ADHD are hyperactive. Since the word "hyperactive" is in the name itself you might think that everyone with the disorder must be hyperactive, but such is not the case. There are probably five or six types of ADHD, each one different from the other in terms of brain function. You can learn more about the different types of ADHD at the ADHD Information Library. How do you know if your child or teen is hyperactive?

He has happy hands and feet which fidget and squirm a lot. He just can't stay in his seat for very long when he's supposed to at school or the dinner table. He may run around too much, or climb on things he's not supposed to. He is often just too loud. He is "On the go" as if he is "driven by a motor." He talks too much. He leaves footprints across the ceiling. It is important to note that at least some of these symptoms must have been seen before the age of seven. Also, that at least some of the symptoms are seen both at home and at school. Also, that these behaviors are really a problem. Not just a little bit, but a lot. Please be aware that there are several reasons why a child could have these symptoms besides Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. For example, thyroid problems, depression, anxiety disorders, hearing problems, and so on. Please do not attempt to "diagnose" your child. See your doctor, or go to a qualified mental health professional. This web site is no substitute for talking with an expert. Keep in mind that over-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a big problem. There are some children who are diagnosed as having ADHD that do not have it. It is not uncommon for someone with depression, or anxiety, specific learning disabilities, early onset bi-polar disorder, or Tourette's Syndrome, to be diagnosed as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

This is often the result of a diagnostic "work-up" which is too brief and does not take into account the many reasons why a child might be inattentive, impulsive, or over-active. But over-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is not the only problem. Under-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is also a problem. This happens most often in the school setting where the school psychologist writes his report perfectly describing an individual with ADHD, then refuses to use the label "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" in his report anywhere. Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Adhd Diagnosing program now!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Autism Classroom Management - Can Management And Control Be Referred To As Cure?

While the medical authorities insist the current there is no cure for autism, others say if it can be controlled and effectively managed, then it is as magnificent as a cure. This survey looks closely at it and throws some more sunbeams on the argument of whether it can be cured or not.

I have talked to lots of people about autism, including those who insist it can be cured and those who say it can't be cured. My observation is that those who say it can be cured insist that if it can be effectively managed and controlled, then that's as good as a cure, especially if the condition no longer causes problems for the victims or their loved ones anymore. While what they say makes "some" sense, there are still unanswered questions about this.  


The school of thought that insist it can't be cured believe that "cure" is completely different from "management" of the condition. They believe that if the condition can't be completely eradicated, then it just can't be cured. While they also make a lot of sense in their argument, there are still questions that they just can't answer effectively.

Nonetheless, regardless of what the real answer to this question is -- the point is that if you find a way to effectively manage or control the condition, then it can be a cure for you. That's why it's recommended that everyone looks for what works for them, in getting rid of their medical conditions.

Of course, the "cure" that will work very well with one person might not work very well for the other person. But how can you know what will work best for you, or your loved one, if you don't try it out?! Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Autism Classroom Management program now!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Autism Behavior Strategies - Dealing With Autistic Children Behavior

One of the most difficult areas of autism and fortunately one overly can be set systematically is the board of classic autistic behaviors that usually affect the extent of how functional a exact patient is or how still value of livlihood he and the lendees close to him experience. Although this behaviors are difficult, basically all autistic children's behaviors are not intended. They merely crop up as a result of feeling annoyed or frustrated, inability to express the needs or share this experience, or because of too still sensory input.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for autism, only treatments and some of them are experimental. While most are widely documented, the efficacy of each treatment differs from one patient to another since the condition is not yet fully understood. But, there are plenty of ways to deal with autistic children's behaviors apart from using diets and medications. Some of them are discussed below.

1. Ask the crucial questions. Dealing with autistic behaviors begins with a behavior analysis. There are specialists you can consult for this, but parents are also encouraged to analyze their children's behavior to understand them better. On top of these, parents can also facilitate behavior modification techniques if they know firsthand the problems their kids suffer.

Questions like "Does the behavior threaten the safety and health of the child?" and "Does it pose health risks to others?" can provide some important details regarding your child's condition. Also, primary caregivers are advised to know the roots of a child's problem. Sleeping problems, for example, usually result from a child's hypersensitivity to sensory inputs or from disruptions in his body clock. Poor social skills may, on the other hand, have underlying causes such as inability to understand the nuances of a language or the lack of imaginary skills.

2. Analyze the condition using the ABC model. In behavior analysis, ABC means Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence. This presents the relationship between the cause of the behavior and the events that occur after the behavior. Often, what happens before and after the difficult behavior affects whether it will recur. Understanding this relationship will help the caregiver identify problem areas that need their attention.

3. Avoid the recurrence of challenging behaviors. There are several strategies to prevent misbehaviors from occurring, two are widely used. First is the reinforcement of positive behaviors by rewarding it whenever it happens. And second is the reduction of the rates of negative behaviors. Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Autism Behavior Strategies program now!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Autistic Preschoolers - Five Gift Ideas For Autistic Toddlers And Preschoolers

As the mommy to a four-year-old with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I've discovered many fine mainstream toys the present are both fun and therapeutic. Toys that improve language development, sensory and motor regulation, craft core strength, muscle tone and coordination. Toys that spark my son's inner drive, encouraging further engagement and child-lead interaction.

Here are five of my favorite toys, from $18 - $300. Most of them are eco-friendly, which I personally love. I'm not speaking as a medical expert here, just as a mom. If you're the parent, relative or friend of an autistic child, maybe this list will make your holiday shopping a little bit easier. I hope so!

Wheely Bug - If you haven't seen these cute little ride-on critters, you need to check them out. I bought the cow for my boys last month and my ASD son loves it! (Also available in bee and ladybug!) It really helps him with coordination and balance, while building his core. We he first started riding it, he was wobbly. Now he can lift his feet and maneuver it around every corner. It has helped him adjust to motion that had bothered him in the past. In my opinion, this is one of the best gifts for an ASD child. Make sure you buy the big Wheely Bug to get the most use out of it. Eco-friendly! $70

Breakfast Menu Set - These types of wooden toys are great for a variety of reasons. Many autistic children have issues with food due to textures. By incorporating pretend food into playtime, it seems to make real mealtime easier. You can 'prepare' the pretend food together and takes turns 'tasting' it. That way your child is more open to the idea of trying different foods. Manipulating smaller toys, like shaking the salt & pepper shakers, improves fine motor skills too. Plan Toys is a wonderful green company and makes a huge selection of incredible wooden toys. Eco-friendly! $18

LIKEaBIKE - This is a unique eco-friendly bike sans pedals! That's because this bike was designed to boost your child's confidence and comfort in riding a bike, while building their balance, core strength, etc. They start out slow, usually walking with it and then as they improve, they can go much faster. Obviously this is not great for hills or steep surfaces, but on flat streets, in the driveway or at the park, it's a wonderful (and fun) toy. Our OT therapist has mentioned it multiple times. Eco-friendly! $300

Haba Ball Track Master Builder Set - Many autistic children love toys that spin and roll. My son does a variety of activities at OT therapy involving marbles, which is why I love this toy from Haba. Your child can build the track and then watch the marbles spin through it. This is the big set and Haba also makes a smaller set for $43. This toy is perfect for fine motor skill improvement and development. It also gets the imagination and interaction rolling. Eco-friendly! $200

Hopscotch Puzzle Mat - Another great toy for improving balance, motor skills, interaction and organizing thought processes is this cute Hopscotch mat by Alex. First you put it together like a puzzle, then you play the game. This gives you child a great opportunity to practice hopping on one foot and then jumping with two feet. It's also a good game for ASD kids to play with their friends or siblings. $23 Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Autistic Preschoolers program now!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Best Practices Autism - Where's The Best Place For Socialization?

Your child has autism and you have been told overly social skills deficits are to be expected. So what can you do to improve the ability of your child learn how to behave properly, make friends, and get along in the world?

Like me, you may have been told that your child needs to be in a school setting with other children to be socialized. Let's consider for a minute what kind of social skills a child with autism may learn in school.

1. In a school or classroom setting, your child is exposed to both positive and negative socialization. This isn't really debated by any of us who have been in school. The question is whether or not the "good" socialization outweighs the "bad" socialization.

2. There are typically two placements for children with autism when it comes to schools. Each comes with its own drawbacks as far as social skills are concerned.

For those who are lower-functioning, there is the special ed classroom. If your child is placed in a special ed class, they may actually pick up negative behaviors from the other students. Children who have never said a bad word in their lives come home with all sorts of words that the parents know they didn't teach their child. Or maybe a child who wasn't aggressive previously starts imitating the hitting, biting, or screaming of a classmate. That's not what I think most parents are hoping for when they are told to put their child in school to learn social skills.

If your child is higher-functioning, they may be mainstreamed in a regular ed classroom. Will the typical behaviors of their peers be the positive socialization you hoped for? Unfortunately, many times children with autism become an easy target for bullies who cause them physical and emotional harm. Other classmates, who may be nice enough themselves, may still go along with cruel jokes or name calling at the expense of a child with autism just because they don't want to be ostracized from their peers. Whether it's bullying, teasing, or isolation, children who are "different" and don't possess the same social abilities as their peers often experience great difficulties just trying to survive a day at school. These children often exhibit signs of tremendous stress and anxiety, depression, and some even contemplate suicide.

So are there any alternatives? Families who are concerned about the educational and social well-being of their children often choose to teach them at home. Home-schooling offers a better opportunity for positive socialization while drastically limiting the possibility of negative social experiences. Home-schooled children are not isolated or "unsocialized". Home-schooling simply provides the opportunity for parents to expose their children to a variety of social situations when they feel their child is ready to handle them. Most communities have home-school groups that offer park days, sports teams, special classes or lessons, as well as informal get-togethers for home-schooled children.

-- Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Best Practices Autism program now! --

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Add Classroom Strategies - Reducing Classroom Management Problems Through Student Participation Strategies

As a teacher, classroom management problems happen most any now and then. It is want a web this traps educators when properties least expect it. Much more, it can further drag you lowered the drain if pre-emptive measures are not taken. Without immediate action, it can consume your entirety, both professionally and personally.

Battling against classroom management problems is in fact easy. As a teacher, you need to know which methodology works on a specific classroom and which one won't. A very important component towards an effective procedure is to keep your students active in class. With their interest during your lectures, you can gain their support, their trust and their respect.

With that said, what you need to prioritize is how to extract the interest of your students during an hour or long hours of lecture. We know for a fact that the attention rate of any student during a class is limited. To keep their ears and eyes fixated on you with great discussion retention, participation is the key. Here is a list of strategies you can incorporate in your lectures to reduce classroom management problems.

Strategy #1: Oral participation. This is a strategy where you can ask your students questions about your lectures. With every answer depending on the content of it, you can give due scores or quiz points. This strategy allows active involvement from your students and will also give them the eagerness to listen to your discussion. Much more you can make this even a quiz for everyone so they need to answer your questions every time with the correct input. To add a little logic twist, you can give open ended questions to allow them to assess and analyze your discussion and input their personal view points.  

Strategy #2: Individual or group reporting. You can cater five to ten minutes of student's reporting before or after class. Your student's topic can range from a simple review to an immediate synthesis on what was earlier discussed. Not only will they learn how to listen attentively to your lectures but also consolidate the whole lecture period in just an ample amount of time. You can also give the students points on how well they elaborated your lesson and how effective their reports are.  

Strategy #3: Student questioning. Though this may not be widely adapted by majority of teachers, sometimes it is best to ask students if they have any concerns. Their questions may range from a mere rundown of the lesson or an area where someone wasn't able to grasp. It is also a good exercise to allow your student to think outside the box. Make them ask questions that will directly connect your lecture to any real world scenario.

After generating such questions, you can even allow yourself or a student to respond. In this way, you are not only touching the depth of their thoughts but how they relate your discussion to any given scenario. Don't let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Add Classroom Strategies program now!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Autism Behaviour Strategies - 15 Autism Strategies For Managing Autistic Children

Managing an autistic child can be difficult at times, that is why suffering autism strategies in place can make the change between coping and feeling overwhelmed. The strategies don’t undergo to be difficult or complex, it’s in essence simply a question of ensuring so your child feels secure, comfortable, and calm, so that properties can develop and enhance in a sure environment.

It’s important to remember that a number of the behaviors autistics display are those that they have developed in order to provide security and certainty to the world that surrounds them. Some of the behaviors that an autistic child naturally develops are designed to shut out situations they find too difficult to cope with. Thus applying the right approach can help a parent reach their autistic child instead of being shut out.

The following is a list of 15 different autism strategy suggestions parents can utilize to help them manage their children with autism spectrum disorders:

1. Provide a predictable environment and daily routine

2. Prepare your child in advance for any changes that need to occur to the routine, don’t spring surprises on them. Keep in mind changes should only be made when absolutely necessary.

3. Activities should have structure.

4. Distractions should be kept to a minimum, especially when communicating, so don’t try competing with the TV or lots of background noise when giving instructions.

5. Ensure you have your child’s full attention when trying to communicate with them.

6. When giving instructions they should be simple and direct so there is no room for misunderstandings.  

7. When instructions are given, you need to allow enough time for your child to process them. Autism strategies require patience – don’t rush your child.

8. Try using visual aids like flash cards or picture books when communicating as these can help get your message across and cement understanding.

9. Try to be as consistent as possible with everything you do involving your autistic child. This includes punishments.

10. If an autistic individual is not coping, he/she requires a “safe” place where they can retreat in order to calm down and de-stress.

11. If your child is not coping with a situation, consider if underlying causes (I.E. confusion, stress, fear, pain or over-stimulation) could be a factor and try to remove that cause.

12. When the stress levels of an autistic have reduced, encourage them to return to group activities or situations.

13. Speak to the school to see if a buddy system could be introduced to help provide academic and social support. This involves pairing autistic kids with non-autistic peers.

14. Before attempting to alter or discourage a behavior that you think is inappropriate, carefully consider if this is necessary, as the behavior you are trying to diminish may be replaced by something worse.

15. Don’t take autism behaviors personally, find ways to de-stress yourself and remember that laughter is often the best medicine when you’re at your wits end.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Autistic Children Behavior - Modifying The Behavior Of Autistic Children

There are a large number of programs which one can use in order to change the wrongful behavior of an autistic child. Most of them are actually rooted on the training of the child to act in a further appropriate way when in society. Temper tantrums provided be fought as soon as they give the impression in the patient, mostly by employing a special possessing technique on the child. Leaving the patient untreated may lid to severe complications.

Symptoms have got to be fought as soon as they appear; if not mad and impulsive behavior may influence the autistic patient sometimes living much to institutionalization. The most common mistake finished today is the current the whole family, revolving around the child, unrest its behavior instead of the other way around. All the family members should participate in restraining all the bad and terrible behavior signs of the child, when ever this are present. Temper tantrums should frequently try to be avoided as still as possible. Letting the kids act wildly and not restraining them when the present as long as be completed would only postpone
and aggravate the total amount that the tantrum is going to have.
 
Studies have shown that a daily routine is very important in the cases of autistic children. Families should always be near the child and respond accordingly to what his or her actions are. If signs of improvement are seen the routine can be gradually modified letting some more space to the child.

Another very important fact in helping the patient is the control of temper tantrums. This is done by using the holding technique on the child. The parent must hold the child patient to the chest with a tight grip on the body and all of its limbs. Communicating with the child at all times is of utmost importance if good results are to be seen. One should never give in to the child’s erratic behavior. Some consider this to be a sort of punishment but they couldn’t be more wrong. This actual form of restrain is devised in such a way so that both the patient and the people surrounding the child are safe from the tantrum’s wild effects.

Holding of the child must be done in such a way as not to harm him at any time. Still the message must very clear to the patient: this is not fun and the parent’s authority must be imposed. The level of restraint should be done in accordance to the level of the temper tantrum. This whole program must teach the child that what he is doing is very wrong and that his behavior must change. The action is also to normalize his actions so that a social un aggressive life is possible.


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Autism Teacher Training - Is There An Oversight That Autistic Children With A General Education May Experience Setbacks?


While many schools try to integrate children with learning challenges into the mainstream classroom, autistic children with a general education could experience setbacks because of the environment in school. A classroom not suited to autistic behaviors and teachers or students not understanding disorder characteristics could hinder the learning ability of an autistic student.

An inclusion school environment can be successful if teachers have experience and training in autistic education. Not having the proper training could lead to setbacks in an autistic child's verbal and nonverbal communication development, sensory processing, social interaction and imaginative or creative play.
Because autism affects non disordered pupils with habits stressful to others, teachers need to help all students adapt by using different techniques based on the needs of the autistic child. Because autistic children have habits, such as repetitive behavior or sudden outbursts for no reason, a classroom needs to be flexible in order to conform to an individual's learning needs and be capable of addressing behavioral issues in a calm and understanding, yet disciplinary, manner.

Mainstream schools with successful autism inclusion rely on visual aids, structure and routine to ensure that there are no setbacks later in life for an autistic student. In addition, by pairing an autistic child with a traditional student, an autistic student's socialization improves through peer interaction and anxiety is reduced. With a well rounded education, the autistic student will be able to conduct daily living needs and function in society as an adult.


While most people rely on two or three learning styles, autistic students use only one style of learning. Because autistic children have different learning styles than traditional students, a dual curriculum is necessary in certain general education areas. Otherwise, the autistic child will be unable to process the information being taught. Autistic children whose learning style is not being met can cause disruptive behavior, such as running around in the classroom or not listening to the teacher. In these situations, a classroom may not be suited for autistic learning.

If teaching styles in a mainstream school cannot be adapted, then a school that is tailored towards the autistic student is the best option. The school environment and teachings will be better geared to the student and there will be no issues with not understanding the behaviors of the disorder.

However, there are pros and cons when comparing an inclusion school to an autistic needs tailor made school. While autistic students can learn from other students, a general education could cause setbacks if educators fail to modify their teaching styles to accommodate autistic students. However, a school tailored only to autism shelters autistic children and prevents them from learning societal challenges among others without the disorder.


While the debate continues to ask whether a general education can cause setbacks, it is known that a proper education for an autistic student requires a nurturing environment that allows the individual to feel comfortable in learning. By doing so, autistic students will be able to find their talents and succeed in life

Thursday, March 18, 2010

What To Remember When Teaching Autistic Children


Good teachers are those who help children with autism achieve success. They must be able to help their pupils overcome autism. Teaching autistic children isn't just limited on the patients; teachers must also interact with the parents and other family members.

Parents need to be aware of their children's case and they must have special participation in the planning of the instructions and curriculum and in monitoring the progress of their child. If teachers let the parents do their share in the learning process, the child will get not just good school experience but also better and more productive learning experiences at home.

Here are some things teachers have to bear in mind when teaching children with autism:

1. Long strings or series of verbal instructions must be avoided.
As a teacher, you must always bear in mind that autistic individuals find it hard to instill the sequence in their memory. So if he or she can read, just write down the instructions on a sheet of paper. If you are giving directions involving more than three steps, write them down.

2. Most autistic people are visual thinkers.
Many people with autism think in pictures, not in language. So if you want to make them familiar with some words, use pictures to demonstrate such words to the child.

3. Autistic children usually get stuck on a certain subject such as maps or cars.
Since fixations on some things just can't be avoided, better utilize them to encourage school work.

4. Utilize concrete visual techniques to teach children with number concepts.
In teaching autistic children with numbers, it would be better to use visual methods such as math toys.

5. Protect children with autism from sounds that usually hurt their ears.
Loud sounds irritate autistic children, so protect them by avoiding things that produce such sounds. Don't let the child have fear on the sounds he or she doesn't like because it can make him or her behave badly.

6. If the autistic child is hyperactive, let him wear a padded weighted vest.
Such apparel help calm autistic children that's hyperactive. The garment gives pressure that calms the person's nervous system. It would be better to allow the child to wear the vest for twenty minutes and take it off for a few minutes. This way, the nervous system is prevented from getting used to the said outfit.

7. Most children with autism have troubles controlling the motor in their hands.
It is for this reason that most autistic children have messy handwriting. Oftentimes, they find it hard to achieve good handwriting and this can totally upset them. So to avoid or at least lessen such frustration, better help the child find pleasure in learning by letting him or her type on the computer.

8. Make sure the child's desk is near the window.
Fluorescent lights and some visual distractions bother autistic individuals. So when teaching autistic children, avoid illuminating the room by means of fluorescent lights and let them sit near the window.

9. Children with autism are oftentimes good at art, drawing, and computer.
If you notice that the child is good in a certain field, encourage them to use and improve their talents. Weighted Vests Autism

10. There are autistic children who easily learn how to read using phonics while some learn by memorizing the words.
This is also an important consideration in teaching autistic children. Since they learn reading the easy way through the help of phonics, then teach them phonics rule.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

The Secrets To Teaching Children With Autism

Autism is a developmental disorder that can effect anyone. Although genetic factors are declared to be the a large number of powerful ones behind it, there are several other things that can actually shoot about the development of autism. Despite the disability involved when one has autism, teaching autistic children is still possible using techniques too are positive to work.

One of the most debilitating characteristics of autism is the learning disabilities that come with it. When it comes to teaching children with autism, hard is really an understatement. The whole effort to teach children who have this disorder is definitely going to involve not just a mountain but mountain ranges to conquer.
When determining the teaching strategies to use, a teacher can take note of the different symptoms of autism that can impede the natural learning process. Ample knowledge of such symptoms can make the strategy and teaching process effective. There is no assurance that it is going to be easy though.

Here are some of the factors that need attention and thorough consideration to success in the aim of teaching children with autism.

1. Teaching environment. Because of autism, children find it hard to concentrate especially in the presence of loud noises and colors. They get easily distracted by such elements. Therefore, it is a must that the classroom or wherever the teaching process takes place should be kept at its plainest form. It should also be quiet and peaceful enough in order to help keep the children feel the same.

2. Routine activities. Children with autism cannot handle surprises. The daily activities should follow a certain routine. The kids have a good idea of what is going to happen next. This is the only way for them to concentrate and learn.

3. Limited options. When making the children choose something, it is important to keep everything simple. They should not be subjected to a number of choices. It is very easy for them to get all confused over many selections. In the end, they learn nothing and might even feel bad about the whole process. Letting the child pick one over the other is the best way to do it.

4. Simple communication. Using simple words is the best way to get the points across and completely understood by these young autistic kids. More so, one should maintain a lower voice since loud ones tend to agitate these children.

Autism in itself is a hard thing to deal with. However, it should not be something that limits what a child can do. Although their learning abilities might be limited, children with autism still have the capacity to learn. After all, autism is not equal to being stupid. In fact, many autistic children are very proficient and talented in certain areas. All it takes is a greater amount of effort and patience from the teachers.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Best Practices Autism

Your child has autism and you have been told overly social skills deficits are to be expected. So what can you do to improve the ability of your child learn how to behave properly, make friends, and get along in the world?

Like me, you may have been told that your child needs to be in a school setting with other children to be socialized. Let's consider for a minute what kind of social skills a child with autism may learn in school.

1. In a school or classroom setting, your child is exposed to both positive and negative socialization. This isn't really debated by any of us who have been in school. The question is whether or not the "good" socialization outweighs the "bad" socialization.

2. There are typically two placements for children with autism when it comes to schools. Each comes with its own drawbacks as far as social skills are concerned.

For those who are lower-functioning, there is the special ed classroom. If your child is placed in a special ed class, they may actually pick up negative behaviors from the other students. Children who have never said a bad word in their lives come home with all sorts of words that the parents know they didn't teach their child. Or maybe a child who wasn't aggressive previously starts imitating the hitting, biting, or screaming of a classmate. That's not what I think most parents are hoping for when they are told to put their child in school to learn social skills.

If your child is higher-functioning, they may be mainstreamed in a regular ed classroom. Will the typical behaviors of their peers be the positive socialization you hoped for? Unfortunately, many times children with autism become an easy target for bullies who cause them physical and emotional harm. Other classmates, who may be nice enough themselves, may still go along with cruel jokes or name calling at the expense of a child with autism just because they don't want to be ostracized from their peers.

Whether it's bullying, teasing, or isolation, children who are "different" and don't possess the same social abilities as their peers often experience great difficulties just trying to survive a day at school. These children often exhibit signs of tremendous stress and anxiety, depression, and some even contemplate suicide.

So are there any alternatives? Families who are concerned about the educational and social well-being of their children often choose to teach them at home. Home-schooling offers a better opportunity for positive socialization while drastically limiting the possibility of negative social experiences. Home-schooled children are not isolated or "unsocialized".

Home-schooling simply provides the opportunity for parents to expose their children to a variety of social situations when they feel their child is ready to handle them. Most communities have home-school groups that offer park days, sports teams, special classes or lessons, as well as informal get-togethers for home-schooled children.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Toys For Children With Autism

Do you have a child in on autism or a physical disability? Do you have need getting toys for them? Would you like to produce toys the can help them learn? This study plans to find you 7 situations to consider, when buying your child amongst a disability toys.

The National Lekotek Center a non profit organization dedicated to making play and learning accessible for children with disabilities has debuted the AblePlayTM Toy rating system and Website. This Website will give lots of information on toys for children with different types of disabilities, for parents and therapists. Things that parents should keep in mind when choosing toys are:

1. Does the toy have multisensory appeal? Does it have lights, sounds, music, or movement? Does the surface have a unusual texture? Many children with disabilities respond to music and things that they can feel that have a lot of texture!

2. Is it easy for a child to use and activate? Will the toy be challenging to the child but not cause frustration?

3. Does the toy give the child opportunities for success?

4. Is the toy safe for all children and is it durable? Can it be washed in a machine or hand washed? Toys that break easily and are not durable may not be appropriate for children with autism or other disabilities.

5. Can the child use the toy to express themselves and be creative?

6. Does the toy have an adapted switch for children with physical disabilities?

7. Will the toy engage the child and allow them to be an active participant.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Motivating an Autistic Child

It can be very difficult to motivate an autistic child, often times because of their lack of imagination and communication skills.. A person's motivation is mainly converted by such a experiences, their desires and imagination...As favorably as past experiences, learning, and history.



Therefore motivation and interest come from past experiences and the desire to learn and have new experiences. Challenges which trigger memories of past anxieties or failures will mostly stimulate avoidance reactions and self-preservation responses. Motivating an autistic child can be helped by understanding the child's interests or preoccupations, fascinations however bizarre you may find them!...Use these interests as the bases of expanding the child's sometimes limited area of interest.



Try and avoid any tasks that trigger anxiety in the autistic child...these will only lead to avoidance. Give re-assurance and keep the tasks small to begin with...Give reinforcement regularly...Make the task milestones very small to begin with, then give positive reinforcement...Gradually increase the milestone to be reached before positive reinforcement is given.

Keep a record of all anxiety triggers and how they were dealt with...what positive reinforcement was used? Make certain everybody included in the child's care is following the same strategy. Create or obtain good social skills stories to help explain to the autistic child what they are doing for example a school trip or play, Christmas, making cards...

The social story should be pictorially rich, most autistic children are visual learners. Autism social stories are an excellent tool for helping an autistic child make sense of the world around them...giving them clear social cues as to how to act, what is expected of them, why we do certain things and what others are expecting of them.


Thursday, January 21, 2010

The Signs and Symptoms to Watch For to See If You Child May Be Autistic

An Autism Doctor Helps You Identify The Signs And Symptoms of Autistic Children Autism as a diagnosis is shown by a set of certain behaviors. In addition, there are characteristic language deficits and social interaction problems. The major thing to realize is no two autistic consumers are exactly the same - this is particularly true with children. Each child and adult is an specific investing in their own unique wants and desires.

Biomedical treatments for autism this kind of as dietary modification, supplement therapy and others can help in on many of these kinds of center associated with autism Every person with an autism diagnosis has their own unique personality that can manifest in a variety of ways. For example, one child can be affectionate, while another appears aloof. The same thing can be seen with behaviors - one child can have easy onset tantrums or aggression, while another child is calm and non-aggressive. Various therapies can help these individuals such as behavioral therapy and biomedical treatments for autism.

Language is a big issue in people with autism. Some individuals are mildly affected and only exhibit slight language delays, while others have a complete loss of speech - which affects both expressive and receptive language skills. Again, biomedical treatments for autism have helped many individual with language issues. Even though the severity of symptoms varies from person to person, each has some core issues is the categories below: Language and Nonverbal Communication




* Complete lack in speech or very limited language development.

* Stereotypical behavior such as echolalia. This manifests as repeating something over and over such as a phrase from a TV program or movie.

* Difficulty initiating or maintaining conversation.

* Difficulty understanding the subtleties of communication such as humor or concern. Many individuals fail to understand what is being implied.

Note: In addition to speech therapy commonly utilized for these issues, biomedical treatments for autism can help with language development. I treated a child in my practice who went from 30 words to over 300 words in 3 weeks with the use of Methyl-B12 therapy.

Social Engagement

* Problems with eye contact, recognizing facial expression or body posturing.

* Disinterested in sharing enjoyment such as playfulness with other people. Lack of humor appropriate for age.

* Disinterested in the achievements or interests of other people.

* Lack of interest in playing or engaging in friendship development with others.

* Lack of awareness for some else's pain, desires, or ambitions. Empathy is lacking.



Tuesday, January 12, 2010

9 Top Symptoms Displayed by Autistic People

Autism signs adults seem for record nine main symptoms the present an adult has always had. This is while adults do not substantiate autism, if they have it they continually had it. What happens in multi examples is the present mortgage holders notice the current this personality peculiarities may not be normal and conduct research to determine if these symptoms are for a disorder or disease.


This people then report their findings to their family doctor and the process of diagnosing autism begins. This is usually in adults with mild cases of autism who are independent and function reasonably well on their own.

Autism signs adults can look for:

* Difficulty holding a job due to poor communication skills

* Trouble taking care of themselves on a daily basis

* Reclusive and prefer to be alone and shun social events

* Not empathetic to others

* Lack of understanding of social behaviors

* Compulsive with single object or subject. A common example is when a person often brings a conversation back to a specific top that they are interested in.

* Inability to adjust set schedule (usually react with anger or become panicked)

* Overwhelmed when forced into a social situation without enough time to prepare to handle the situation.

* Anxiety level shoots through the roof over small things that others see as minor or non-existent issues.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Encouragement Through Autism and Lupus

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life... We can never help an extra without helping ourselves." Ralph Waldo Emerson This quote by Emerson walloped me making a mother who recovered her son based on data from Autism. Like so a large number of of you out there...how often do we put the needs of everyone and anything above our own? How do we find that delicate balance between service and self? As a single homeschooling dad of five and the sole provider for the six of us...I've found the current to be in my daily prayers. 


"Lord, help me right prioritize how is before me that day." God knows everything on our plate. He too knows what is most crucial not only for us but for persons around us. I'd like to share in on you some of the insights He's supplied me within the duration of the years as far as just today in this area. During our plight with Autism, I also was in the midst of suffering with Lupus, an auto-immune disease. For years prior to Autism I had suffered with chronic pain, lethargy, mouth ulcers which rendered eating nothing but pure pain...and a few other not so fun symptoms.

I was in and out of the hospital due to pleurisy as the Lupus attacked the lining of my chest wall. Since it can also attack the heart, every trip was another heightened experience of rushing doctors and tests to determine if my heart was now being attacked...one of the ways this disease can take a life. Having five children, homeschooling, and watching as my son slipped into the grips of autism all took their added toll on my body. Trying hard to keep healthy, get enough rest, avoid illness and maintain some sort of remission from this dreaded disease was my focus.


Then Autism exploded within my son's little body. All of a sudden the Thunderstorm of Lupus was masked behind the Hurricane of Autism. My body, my needs, and my health were put on hold. All I could do was deal with Autism and how it was tearing my family apart and stealing my son away. After about five years, a diagnosis, self-treatment for him...I finally got into a world leading doctor for treating Autism. Life at that point was about helping my son recover and thus reclaiming a normal life for my family.

Yet I'll never forget that very first appointment with Dr. Baker. I'm sure I was worn looking...tired from 'doing' autism for the last few years. Exasperated from studying, traveling to conferences, learning how to treat my son on my own...trying to discern the best course of treatment that was life for me. Sitting in this physician's office with my hope that he could now take over all these tedious decisions of what to do for my son...I listened to his first advice to me: "You know, looking at your own history, what we are going to do for your son could also help you with Lupus." What?


I thought. I thought I knew what to do for Lupus, get lots of rest (some day...) avoid illness and eat healthy...hope for remission enough to get through each day. But his words rang in my mind. He told me to find a doctor who could treat me the same way.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Music Autism - Does Music Help to Treat Autism?

Although musical therapy is a new practice of treating autism patients you should considerably think about giving it a shot. Research is cropping that when patients with autism are given musical therapy they often show remarkable improvements in temperament and learning skills. Why does this appear to work so well? Music connects to the nonverbal portion of our brains making it the best therapy for autism patients who have trouble communicating.

The reason musical therapy is so successful is because it can be used in conjunction with learning new social skills. You have to understand that music is a very nonthreatening medium for autism patients. Many different games can be played with the aid of music to help both behavior and social skills at the same time. Using musical instruments that need to be close to the face will help break social barriers. By far the number one way music helps patients with autism is with the development of speech.

Music links together the verbal and nonverbal parts of the brain so they have an easier time working together. Autistic patients have many different ways they communicate with us. Some can only grunt or hum while others simply cry or say nonsensical phrases that have no meaning. No matter how well the individual speaks they can always participate in musical therapy by clapping or humming.

People with autism are often found to be very talented at music. Some can play an instrument with little or no formal teaching while others have a perfect pitch. You will be surprised to know that a person who is normally hard to deal with has music abilities above and beyond that of any of his or her other skills.
If you take the time to explore the endless possibilities that music can provide for a person with autism you will be pleasantly surprised. Music can actually work wonders never experienced before. People who are trained in this type of therapy can use music to teach autistic individuals how to communicate in nonverbal ways.