Autism

Question: Autism...? what are signs that your child has autism & does autism exist more in certain races than others?

Answer: There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize autism. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling. The hallmark feature of autism is impaired social interaction. Parents are usually the first to notice symptoms of autism in their child. As early as infancy, a baby with autism may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time. A child with autism may appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement. Children with autism may fail to respond to their name and often avoid eye contact with other people. They have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling because they can’t understand social cues, such as tone of voice or facial expressions, and don’t watch other people’s faces for clues about appropriate behavior. They lack empathy. Many children with autism engage in repetitive movements such as rocking and twirling, or in self-abusive behavior such as biting or head-banging. They also tend to start speaking later than other children and may refer to themselves by name instead of “I” or “me.” Children with autism don’t know how to play interactively with other children. Some speak in a sing-song voice about a narrow range of favorite topics, with little regard for the interests of the person to whom they are speaking. Many children with autism have a reduced sensitivity to pain, but are abnormally sensitive to sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation. These unusual reactions may contribute to behavioral symptoms such as a resistance to being cuddled or hugged.

Question: autism????? I've been reading so much about autism and about the the different views on the links to the vaccines. But are there any reports on children who have autism and have not been vaccinated?

Answer: I firmly believe that the ONLY link between autism and vaccines is that they happen at the same age. If vaccines were non-existant, they'd find something else to blame it on. "Autism is linked to playground equipment." "Autism is linked to apple juice." They always find something.

Question: When did autism start to become high profile or well known through the media? These days I hear a lot of news and coverages of autism. In the past, I kept asking myself why was I so different from others and what was wrong with me until I learned of autism in 2004. Were there any news or coverages of autism in 1990-2003? In K-12, I never heard the word "autism" and I was never tested for autism. If I had known about my autism back then, I would have gotten help. Did autism start to become high profile and well known through the media in 2004? If not, when?

Answer: Haven't you asked this same question before? There are many things that put autism in the forefront of media. The main thing is the explosion of children who were diagnosed with it whose (affluent) parents are in the technology field. They are much more savvy about networking online and getting far reaching attention. They demanded and got more people involvement in therapeutic interventions and research.

Question: I have autism and I want to work with people who have autism, any tips or ideas for jobs? I have seen some jobs, but they require high amounts of education. Is there a place for me to work, I am 27 years old? My best memory is when I worked an entry level job shelving books at a library and I met a boy who also had autism and I got along with him better than anyone ever met before and this had stuck with me.

Answer: There should be autism groups in your area that arrange social get-togethers and activities for children and adults on the autism spectrum. Maybe you could volunteer to be a peer leader or something? I'm sure they'd love to have an adult on the spectrum come in and be a positive role model for kids struggling with ASD. I'm not particularly well-versed on the hiring processes of these places, but hopefully, if you make a good impression while volunteering, they might offer you a job. It's food for thought, anyway. Another idea is to shadow kids with autism at schools. Some parents will hire a "shadow" to accompany their autistic children to schools that don't offer paraprofessionals. Education and experience isn't necessarily required. (Case in point: there was an ad posted at my college asking for a shadow for a 5-year-old at a Montessori School, no experience necessary as long as the potential shadow was willing to learn.) Finally, try babysitting. Parenting kids with ASD can be pretty exhausting, so I'm sure there are tons of parents who would love a break for a few hours. You can potentially make it into a regular job if you get a family that really needs and wants your help. Hope that helps, and good luck :)

Question: How prevalent is autism among feminists in the modern day? Studies in psychiatric journals in the early 90s showed a link between autism and feminism. The rise in autism has been attributed to women with masculine minds marrying men with masculine minds, leading to children with hyper masculine minds. Furthermore a link has been shown to exist between autism and women and the diagnostic criteria for autism. A study tested 4200 women at the University of New Hampshire. 677 women tested scored highly on the feminist belief scale, or feministic scale. 254 out of 677 women who scored highly on the feministic scale also ranked highly in restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities. Usually their obsession focused around feminist issues whether real or contrived. 107 of the 677 women scored low on the qualitative social interaction scale. 430 out of the 677 women who scored highly on the feministic scale also scored highly on the masculine personality type scale. Do you know any autistic feminists? This study was in a 1992 Issue of the Journal of Applied Psychiatric Medicine so you can look it up yourself if you like. If a web link is absolutely necessary: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/fe… Anna you are correct, and you can be correct about more males being diagnosed with autism than females but that still does not have any relevance to the high rate of autism among feminists, a subset of women rather than all women, as noted in the study only a minority of the women tested actually scored highly on the feministic scale. The ' Hyper-Masculine Mind' is a working hypothesis of neurobiology wendy g. Furthermore you appear to have a rather obsessive need to prove yourself right. Perhaps caused by low self esteem, but nevertheless obsessive. Are you a feminist who has been diagnosed with autism by any chance? At the very least I would suggest that any children you have should be submitted for possible diagnosis immediately.

Answer: Actually, Wendy G., the " hyper- masculine mind " concept is more than conjecture. It is a working hypothesis of neurobiology. Not that that has much to do with the rather stretched claims of the questioner.

Question: What is the difference between autism, and autism spectrum? Doctor states child is autistic, school says chld has autism spectrum disorder?? What is the difference? Can medication help with any of this?

Answer: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a general term that includes Autism, Asperger Syndrome, PPD-NOS and others. The reason they used different terms is that the Dr. gave you a specific diagnosis of Autism, but the school can only determine eligibility for special services. Sometimes schools refer to it as "autism like behavior). Medication is sometimes used to help an issue caused by the autism, say anxiety, but there is no pill to cure it like an antibiotic will cure an infection. It's closer to say that individuals with autism learn to manage their condition. This is done through learning the skills needed to overcome their individual deficits. IMO unless there is a physical danger, it's best to save medication to control behaviors as a last resort. Much better to teach the person through therapies, love and patience more appropriate behaviors. Right now the best thing you can do is to educate yourself about autism and the different treatment/therapy options that are out there. There is no one size fits all treatment plan. Every person is different. You are a full member of your child's' team and the best expert on him there is. You need to help the development of an appropriate plan because you are the constant in the different areas of his life (school, home, activities) and get the big picture. Best of luck- it is an interesting, exasperating, exhilarating e-ticket ride! mom of 2 on the spectrum

Question: How come individuals with classic autism are not enrolled in college? This is another question regarding autism, and there are more individuals with Asperger's Syndrome/HFA entering college. I was wondering why no individual with classic autism is or will be attending college? There is a difference between high-functioning autism/Asperger's Syndrome and classic autism. Classic autism, individuals develop language late in life or not at all, unlike AS/HFA where individuals develop language earlier in life.

Answer: It is not true that no individual with classic autism attends college. Some individuals with classic autism DO go to college or enroll in online college courses. Not everyone with autism can go to college though, for various reasons, such as: - Some have severe cognitive disabilities, so the studies would be too complicated for them. - Some have a severe speech delay, so they cannot communicate well or even at all. They may not understand speech well either. - Some cannot read and write, due to cognitive disabilities. - Some don't know how to interact with other people. - Some have behavior issues. - Some have really bad sensory issues, so they couldn't handle that sensory environment. - Some have a very short attention span. - Some don't want to go to college. - Some have been underestimated and have not had enough learning opportunities to prepare them for college, because of other people's low expectations of them. It's sometimes hard to know how much the autistic person understands if they cannot communicate well. Whether or not they can go to college depends a lot on how well the individual can function. Colleges accept students that need reasonable accommodations. Sometimes reasonable accommodations are simply not enough, so some people (whether they are autistic or not) are unable to attend college. Colleges don't change the curriculum for students who can't handle the normal curriculum for whatever reason.

Question: Any parents of children with autism out there surprised by the Republicans sudden interest in our kids? Not that I don't appreciate it, but where have you been for the last eight years? And does anyone know where Sarah Palin's newfound expertise in autism comes from? Down Syndrome and autism are apples and oranges, and I can promise you, Sarah Palin is never going to have to fight for services for her child.

Answer: My daughter is a special ed teacher who evaluates and implements individual instruction plans at an elementary school. She told me about Obama nearly 2 years ago when she volunteered to work his campaign. Her only goal in life is the betterment of kids who don't have the same abilities as everyone else. Like she says, you can anyone, but it takes a bit more imagination to break through to some kids. Since she believe in children as much or more than anyone I know, I am following her lead on this. McCain has adapted his words and campaign to what has been successful for Obama I've noticed. After the polls showed huge upticks with Obama's "change", McCain decided to become a Maverick, etc. Of course, the GOP wants to cut school spending, it's always been a party mandate.

Question: Why do some people with autism have dysmorphic facial features but others look normal? I work with people with learning difficulties and i've always wondered why two of the people I teach with severe autism have dysmorpic facial features, and the other people with servere autism look normal! How does this work?

Answer: Some people diagnosed with autism also have a genetic syndrome called Fragile X. Fragile X Syndrome is one of the few genetically inherited syndromes that has been known to actually CAUSE autism. In laments terms, Fragile X syndrome occurs during gestation.. where the X chromosome blocks important brain development.

Question: How bad is autism for ppl and how does it affect their lifestyle? I heard ppl who have autism are socially disfuntional and can't have normal friendships and relationships. I have a friend who little did I know had autism cuz I didn't know why he acted like such a jerk cuz he had a competitive lying problem that a lot of ppl hated about him. And I thought he was really strange and a unusual person. How bad is autism?

Answer: Autism varies from person to person. Your friend is probably trying to figure out how to fit in. Yes people on the Autism spectrum have a hard time understanding social settings and cues. The most important thing to know is that he wants to be normal. I have two children on the spectrum. My son, age 11, will do anything to keep a friend. He watches what everyone does and then tries to mimic them. If he notices that doing something cool gets people positive attention then he will do that too regardless if it is dangerous or means lying. Example: If my son heard a group of boys talking about how good they were at skateboarding, he would say he is a good skateboarder too. He isn't focusing on the topic as much as wanting to be included in the conversation which would make him a 'normal' boy. He doesn't understand that he can ask questions and fit in that way or that he can segway into a topic that he is good in. He sees things black and white. They are talking about skateboarding so I need to tell them I am good at it... It may not make sense, but it is how some children on the spectrum's minds work. Notice on how I said some. Each person is unique. In your friends case he may just have a problem with lying. In all probability he just wants to be friends. You asking this question tells me that you are a good friend. Most people would just walk away from someone like that, or call them names. Being honest with him lets him know that he can be honest with you. I suggest you talk to him about what is going on. Try not to be confrontational about it, because people on the spectrum get nervous and have a hard time dealing with things then. If you can make a joke about it or do it with a light heart you will have a better chance of reaching him. Another thing that might help is knowing that Autistic people tend to make friends for life. They are the most loyal and kind people in the world once you have their friendship. Sometimes it is a hard road to get there, but the rewards are tremendous. Can you imagine having a friend who would defend you to the death? Someone who would never think of dating your girl or even your ex! That is how I would classify these guys. I hope I have helped! Kara

Question: What games to play to teach children about autism? My friends and I are doing a community service project to spread awareness about autism. We are planning a roving carnival, with game stations that children can take part in to learn about autism. Basically we just wanna let them understand how it's like to be autistic, or to learn more about autism through the game. Currently the only game we can come up with is Charades. The kids range from 7 years old to 12. Do you guys have any suggestions for games? :)

Answer: Another game that could be fan and shows again how difficult can be to communicate something, is the following: - Place small items like a clothes pin, a key, a battery, a ring, etc each in a small cotton fabric bag (you need to make these) of the same color and tie them shut. - Make two identical bags of each item. And have the kids in two teams. Each kid gets one of the bags. S/he needs to feel what is inside the bag and then describe it to the team-mates without using the name of the item. Example: Key - it is made of metal, can be used to open a door, has teeth, etc. - Time them. The least time to guess gets a higher score. This will show kids how people with autism can sometimes create a mental image of something (thinking in pictures) but it is hard to communicate (put into words) what it is they "see" in their mind. Since the kids do not see item but visualize it through the sense of touch, they create a 3-D mental image of the item, which is similar of how an autistic person will think of an item before communication what they are thinking in words, describing the mental image, is the hardest part, and that is why the speech of many autistic kids is so fragmented because they are describing a mental 3-D image into 2-D words... Once you have made these little bags with the items, you can use them again and again. If they get dirty just put them in a pilowcase and wash them in the washing machine. Good luck!

Question: What is the difference between High functioning Autism and Asbergers? I've got high functioning autism and i have got friends with Asbergers. Asbergers is a form of autism but what is the actual difference between the both?

Answer: Asperger's is a certain type of high fnctioning autism. It has distinct signs in males and females. One person with it might be a compulsive liar who hates people and studies science, while another person might be a writer who loves people and can't hold interest in just one subject all the time, but many. They can get along with people if they have to, and some really want to. They probably have high iqs or above average. They obsess on things in a manner similar to those with autism, but they have more ability to act on their ideas and feelings, as they are more in tune with those. They are overwhelmed by them sometimes, but not as much as someone with just autism, who might throw a fit instead of say, skip class or tell someone off. They are usually perceived as aloof, but some can be seen as too friendly. They can be childlike, but also too old if that makes sense. They revert back to childlke behaviors when facing unknown problems. High functioning autism...I'm going to say the people with that might not have genius iqs, but they might have above average or normal, and interact differently with people. They are usually very sweet ALL the time, and not always aware of when people are making fun of them, unlike an Aspie who figures it out. This doesn't mean they don't sometimes realize it. They might not even care when someone does it coz they aren't thinking like it matters. They are in their own world more. They usually are very good at one or two things that will be their FAVORITE things they always talk about and do things about. I usually see high functionings as very sweet and always wanting to be nice or have others be nice. They don't seem to think about mean stuff or worry about what others are going to do, because they have their own thing. I don't know if you find this true at all. Every one is different with their own personality, and can be a slight bit higher or lower on the scale. A clinician, or a search on Google for the definitions and diagnostics, might help you more. Thought i'd give a personal perspective.

Question: What is the difference between Aspergers and Autism? What is the difference between Aspergers and Autism? Like how is it similar and different then Autism?

Answer: Asperger's is a type of autism. Autism has many different types, ranging from mild to severe. Aspberger's is a fairly mild type of Autism, where the child is generally able to function at a very high level - it's also more difficult to diagnose, because kids with Asperger's may have developmental delays and social problems but may not be as typically withdrawn as those with a more severe case of Autism.

Question: How do parents who have children without autism deal with raising an autistic child? As in, they already had children without autism, then they have a child with autism. How do the parenting skills change?

Answer: Im 14 years old. I have a brother and he is autistic and he is 13. I know from seeing them all the time that autism can make the parents life so much more stressful (including mine). But, i know patience is a big thing that changes when they had my brother. My dad isnt very good with that but i know my mom sure is. I mean, my brother is pretty smart (above the average smartness level of autism), he can read, write, spell, and do math. I know that having an autistic brother changed me completely, without him, i totally would look at life so much differently. It makes me appreciate autistic people and mentally challenged people way more than i would if i didnt have my brother. Also, ive been thinking of becoming a special teacher. But yeah, back to topic [lol] parenting skills change by having A L O T more patience, and idk but its hard and i give anybody who has an autistic child [including my parents] alot of credit, it is alot harder than people think. hope this helped :)

Question: What are some reasons as to why autism should not be ignored in schools? Im doing a persuasive speech on autism for my AVID class that's due tomorrow. I have two reasons down already. One of them is bullying, and the other one is tantrums since they are known to do that. Are there any other reasons as to why Autism shouldnt be ignored in schools?

Answer: because all should be all not just certain people everybody is entitled to the same thing as all others no matter what the handicap is each child needs to be taught that judge people for who they are not what they have

Question: How common is it for people with autism to gobble their food and eat very fast? My brother has autism. He always take huge bites and eats like he is in a race. It causes him to choke sometimes; like when he tried to eat a hard-boiled egg all at once. Is this common with autism?

Answer: My son has autism and he eats very fast like someone is going to steal his food. He is 22 years old and has always been like this. My best friend's daughter has autism and she also gobbles her food down. Seems like it is a really common thing. Neither my son or my friend's daughter can talk so they can not explain to us their reason for this. Would love to know.

Question: How would you go about getting an Autism diagnosis for a young adult? My brother showed many signs of Autism as a child and my mother neglected us so he never got diagnosed. The school labeled him ADHD but now that I'm an adult I see that his behavior was not ADHD at all. I am pretty convinced he has either Autism or Aspergers. (sp?) This is the first opportunity we've had to get him some answers because our biological mother is finally out of the picture. He is 19. If anyone has any help that would be great!

Answer: Is he interested in being evaluated? As an adult, this will need to be his choice. Besides that, this is difficult to answer as it wasn't mentioned whether he has insurance or not. If he does, the first step would be to obtain a list of mental health providers who do evaluations from the insurance company. If he has managed care, you'd need a referral from his primary care physician. If he does not have insurance, you'll need to do some research on mental health clinics in the area. He's still under 21, so if you can locate something like a Child Development Clinic, they would be able to evaluate and diagnose. Some avenues to look into for a clinic would be local hospitals and universities. Googling is also a great resource. Just google your city/state and autism diagnosis, treatment, etc. Just know that without insurance, these evaluations can be expensive. good luck!

Question: How can I help a child with autism manage his behaviour? I am a preschool teacher in an integrated childcare centre, and I have a child with autism in my class. I have never worked closely with a child with autism before, and he seems to have trouble managing his behaviour. He mainly hits, kicks, and pushes the other children. What strategies can I use to help him learn other methods of expressing his upset with the other children?

Answer: I would use a social story with him.....they are simple short stories that help the child learn to self monitor his behavior. I would also try a token system of reinforcement, something that you can show him easily and discreetly to let him know that he is displaying appropriate behavior, keeping hands and feet to self, for a small discreet reward. If he does start to have a tantrum or start to display negative behaviors and can't calm down try removing him from the situation, and letting him have a small area, "break room" where he can deal with his frustrations. hope this helps, i included links for information on social stories. http://autism.about.com/od/treatmentopti… http://www.polyxo.com/socialstories/ http://www.autism.org/stories.html

Question: Where are autism rates the highest? Does autism have a link to too much iodine for young children? I know there are studies saying that Iodine deficiency could lead to autism, but what about too much for children.

Answer: There has been much debate on the causes of autism but as of yet science is still limited in pinpointing a cause other than discussing genetics versus environmental causes (it is both). To answer your question on where it is prevalent, I have linked you to a graph that gives you data by state.

Question: How do i start a fundraiser to support Autism? My sister is very interested in supporting Autism through the internet. How would she come to do this? She would like to do it through facebook. Is there a way to start your own Autism website? Suggestions? -Dustin

Answer: Contact a legitimate autism support group and get together with them. They not only have good ideas and appreciate efforts of others, they have the tax-deductible status from IRS so donors are more likely to contribute.