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What is sensory integration therapy?

You may have heard a lot about sensory integration therapy. That’s because some researchers estimate that eight out of 10 children with autism have problems processing sensory input. For example, they can’t filter out background noise. Other signs of processing issues include: Problems with balance Problems with body position in space Oversensitivity to touch and the feel of certain types of clothing, such as socks with seams With autism, social, behavioral, or attention problems can be partly a result of these sensory challenges. Although more research is needed, OT can help with sensory integration and some of the related behavioral problems. Research suggests sensory integration therapy is less helpful in improving academic performance. Examples of sensory integration therapy include: Being brushed or deeply touched and massaged Compressing elbows and knees Swinging Spinning on a scooter Wearing a weighted vest How can someone obtain OT services for autism? Y...
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Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Autism

Occupational therapists study human growth and development and a person’s interaction with the environment through daily activities. They are experts in the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury. This knowledge helps them promote skills for independent living in people with autism and other developmental disorders. Occupational therapists work as part of a team that includes parents, teachers, and other professionals. They help set specific goals for the person with autism. These goals often involve social interaction, behavior, and classroom performance. Occupational therapists can help in two main ways: evaluation and therapy. How is occupational therapy useful for evaluation of autism? The therapist observes children to see if they can do tasks they are expected to do at their ages -- getting dressed or playing a game, for example. Sometimes, the therapist will have the child videotaped during the day in order to see how the child intera...
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Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Autism - Home Treatment

Having a child with autism requires taking a proactive approach to learning about the condition and its treatment while working closely with others involved in your child's care. You also need to take care of yourself so that you are able to face the many challenges of having a child with autism . Educate yourself about autism Ask your doctor or contact autism groups to find training about autism and how to manage symptoms. Parent and family education has been shown to reduce family stress and improve a child's functioning. 5 Understanding the condition and knowing what to expect is an important part of helping your child develop independence. Become informed about your child's educational rights . Federal laws require services for handicapped children, i ncluding those with autism. Also, there may be state and local laws or policies to aid children who have autism. Find out what services are available ...
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Language Delays Found in Siblings of Autistic Children

Siblings of children with autism have more frequent language delays and other subtle characteristics of the disorder than previously understood. Girls also may be mildly affected more often than recognized in the past. A new study, led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, found mild traits, not strong enough to provoke a diagnosis of autism, seem to be present in the siblings of affected children at significantly higher rates than seen in the general population. The findings appear online and will be published in the November issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry. “Mild symptoms, called quantitative traits, may be confounding studies that compare children with autism to their siblings,” says first author John N. Constantino, MD. “Researchers presume one child is affected, and the other is not, but our findings suggest that although one child may have autism while the other does not, it’s very possible both children are affecte...
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Autism & Healthy Eating: Tips for Feeding

Having your child diagnosed with autism can be overwhelming. Autism is all over the news these days , with significantly more children being diagnosed with this condition today than in recent generations. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that affects the brain, develops within a child's first few years of life and affects verbal, social, emotional, physical and intellectual functioning. The causes of autism are not fully understood, and its severity and responsiveness to various treatments vary widely from child to child. Some autism experts believe a healthy diet might help children with autism function more successfully. Step 1 Consult your child's physician or a registered dietitian with autism experience first. According to Northwestern University...
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Understanding and Managing Your Autistic Child's Behavior

Children with autism are LESS likely to misbehave intentionally than typical children. Their apparent bad behaviors -- such as bolting from the room, whacking a peer, refusing to take part in circle time, climbing the fridge -- are often caused by external problems that can be solved by calm, creative parents. 1) Know Your Child Few autistic children are intentionally "bad." Many have difficult behaviors. So what's going on? Each child is different, and knowing your own child is key to taking action. Is your child extra-sensitive to sound and light? Does she need lots of sensory input? Is he likely to misunderstand a close approach? The more you know, the easier it is to troubleshoot a situation. 2) Modify Your Expectations Your mother may have expected you to sit still through a full dinner hour. But that's not a reasonable expectation for most children with autism. Consider starting with a smaller goal -- sitting still for three m...
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Eating Problems & Feeding Therapy

No one really knows why so many children with autism are picky eaters, says Kimberly Kroeger -Geoppinger, an assistant pediatrics professor at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. But there's no doubt that it's a common phenomenon. That means that parents' permissiveness is probably not the cause. Kroeger says there are several possible reasons for autistic children's pickiness. "We know that children with autism tend to select down, eliminating one food from their diet at a time. The reasons could be sensory (a new discomfort with a particular smell, taste or feel), or even a randomly developed routine."  Very often, says Kroeger, kids with autism will slowly start to reject previously favored foods. You might find that your child won't eat a certain food one day, and rejects it again the next. If that happens, he may be working toward absolute rejection of the food. If you see that happening, start right away with the nex...
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Early Warning Signs: Year Two

The signs of autism are more noticeable in a child’s second year. While other children are forming their first words and pointing to things they want, a child with autism remains detached. Signs of autism include: No single words by 16 months No pretend games by 18 months No two-word phrases by age 2 Loss of language skills No interest when adults point out objects, such as a plane flying overhead Other Signs and Symptoms People with autism sometimes may have physical symptoms, including digestive problems such as constipation and sleep problems. Children may have poor coordination of the large muscles used for running and climbing, or the smaller muscles of the hand. About a third of people with autism also often have seizures.
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Early Warning Signs: First Year

Even young infants are very social, so it’s possible to detect signs of autism in how babies interact with their world. At this age, a child with an ASD may: Not turn to a mother’s voice Not respond to his own name Not look people in the eye Have no babbling or pointing by age one Not smile or respond to social cues from others Babies who do not have autism can have these behaviors, too, but it's best to contact your doctor right away with any concerns.
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Types of Autism

Many people with autism are mentally challenged. In contrast to mental retardation alone, which is characterized by relatively even skill development, people with autism show uneven skill development. They may have problems in certain areas, especially the ability to communicate and relate to others. But they may have unusually developed skills in other areas, such as drawing, creating music, solving math problems, or memorizing facts. For this reason, they may test higher -- perhaps even in the average or above-average range -- on nonverbal intelligence tests. Some of the different types of autism spectrum disorders include: Autistic disorder.  This is what most people think of when they hear the word "autism." It refers to problems with social interactions, communication, and imaginative play in children younger than 3 years. Asperger's syndrome. These children don't have a problem...
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Autism - Exams and Tests

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends screening children for autism during regularly scheduled well-child visits . This policy helps doctors identify signs of autism early in its course. Early diagnosis and treatment can help the child reach his or her full potential. When a developmental delay is recognized in a child, further testing can help a doctor find out whether the problem is related to autism , another pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) , or a condition with similar symptoms , such as language delays or avoidant personality disorder . If your primary care provider does not have specific training or experience in developmental problems, he or she may refer your child to a specialist-usually a developmental pediatrician, psychiatrist , speech therapist, or child psychiatrist-for the additional testing. Behavioral assessments . Various guidelines and questionnaires are used to help...
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How can you help your autistic child sleep better?

Sleep medications should only be used as a last resort with children. There are a number of lifestyle changes and natural sleep aids that can improve sleep time and quality in kids with autism: Avoid giving your child stimulants such as caffeine and sugar before bed. Establish a nighttime routine: give your child a bath, read a story, and put him or her to bed at the same time every night. Help your child relax before bed by reading a book, giving a gentle back massage , or turning on soft music.  Shut down television, video games, and other stimulating activities at least an hour before bedtime. To prevent sensory distractions during the night, put heavy curtains on your child's windows to block out the light, install thick carpeting, and make sure the door doesn't creak. Ask your pediatrician about giving your child melatonin just before bedtime. This dietary supplement is often used as a sleep aid to help people get over jet lag. It may help normalize s...
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What causes sleep disorders in children with autism?

Researchers don't know for sure why autistic children have problems with sleep, but they have several theories. The first has to do with social cues. People know when it's time to go to sleep at night, thanks to the normal cycles of light and dark and the body's circadian rhythms. But they also use social cues. For example, children may see their siblings getting ready for bed. Children with autism, who often have difficulty communicating, may misinterpret or fail to understand these cues. Another theory has to do with the hormone melatonin , which normally helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. To make melatonin, the body needs an amino acid called tryptophan, which research has found to be either higher or lower than normal in children with autism. Typically, melatonin levels rise in response to darkness (at night) and dip during the daylight hours. Studies have shown that some children with autism don't release melatonin at the correct times of day. Instead...
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Getting Help for Autism

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 88 kids has an autism spectrum disorder, but no one knows what causes them. Scientists think that there's a connection to genetics (something to do with a kid's genes) and the environment. Some kids might be more likely to get autism because it runs in their families. Other kids get it even if nobody in their family has these types of problems. The earlier a child starts getting help, the better. But figuring out if a kid has an autism spectrum disorder can be difficult at the beginning. A parent is usually the first to think that something could be wrong. Maybe the child is old enough to speak but doesn't. Or a kid doesn't seem interested in people, has a hard time playing with others, or acts in unusual ways. If you've recently learned that your child has or might have an autism spectrum disorder, you're probably wondering and worrying about what comes next. No parent is ever prepared ...
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How To Raising a Child With Autism

Nature and nurture are in a never ending battle to claim the disposition of our children. While it’s true that the apple rarely tumbles too far from the tree, it is also true that there are a multitude of things we as parents can do to safeguard the childhoods of our children, limit their exposure to the more damaging elements the world will see fit to introduce in time, and do our best to raise a healthy and happy child. We might not be able to help the variety of our branches, but we are the ones who control the nutrients in their soil and the sunlight in their sky. In addition to the obvious things such as making sure your child is consuming the right nutrients, staying hydrated, and getting the quantity of sleep and exercise a growing body needs, here are a few secrets that can help you raise a child with autism.... 1. Let your child know you are excited to see them when they enter the room. Let them see the light dance inside your eyes when their gaze drifts ...
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How I overcame Autism? Did you know ...

Did you know ... Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys Autism prevalence figures are growing Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism There is no medical detection or cure for autism National Institutes of Health Funds Allocation Total 2012 NIH budget: $30.86 billion Of this, only $169 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.55% of total NIH funding. ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ When given early treatment, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) made significant improvements in behavior, communication, and most strikingly, brain function, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new study. ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
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Early Treatment Sparks Striking Brain Changes in Autism

When given early treatment, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) made significant improvements in behavior, communication, and most strikingly, brain function, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new study. The study was published in the current issue of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders by Yale Child Study Center researchers Dr. Fred Volkmar, Kevin A. Pelphrey, and their colleagues. The results suggest that brain systems supporting social perception respond well to an early intervention behavioral program called pivotal response treatment. This treatment includes parent training, and employs play in its methods. ASDs are complex neurobiological disorders that inhibit a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and are often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Until recently, autism diagnosis typically did not occur until a child was about three- to five-years-old, and treatment programs were geared for this older...
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Autism Patients Might Benefit from Drug Therapy

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Drug Therapy - Autism Patients Might Benefit

Researchers have found a drug that can help patients with Fragile X syndrome , the most common cause of inherited intellectual impairment (formerly known as mental retardation), stay calm in social situations by treating their anxiety. Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis and her team found that a drug called Arbaclofen reduced social avoidance and repetitive behavior in Fragile X patients, especially those with autism, by treating their anxiety. The drug increases GABA, a chemical in the brain that regulates the excitatory system in Fragile X patients, who have been known to have too little GABA to do the job otherwise, causing their excitatory systems to "signal out of control" and make them anxious. Such patients have been known to cover their ears or run away at their own birthdays because they are overwhelmed by the attention, but one trial participant said he was able to enjoy his birthday party for the first time in his life while he was on Arbaclofen, she said...
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Temple Grandin: The world needs all kinds of minds

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The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow

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Who is Temple Grandin?

Temple Grandin, diagnosed with autism as a child, talks about how her mind works -- sharing her ability to "think in pictures," which helps her solve problems that neurotypical brains might miss. She makes the case that the world needs people on the autism spectrum: visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers, and all kinds of smart geeky kids. Grandin’s books about her interior life as an autistic person have increased the world's understanding of the condition with personal immediacy -- and with import, as rates of autism diagnosis rise. She is revered by animal rights groups and members of autistic community, perhaps because in both regards she is a voice for those who are sometimes challenged to make themselves heard. "Autism is part of who I am." Temple Grandin ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ”Who do you think made the first stone spears? The Asperger guy. If you were to get rid of all the autism genetics, there would be no more Silicon ...
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Autism In Adults

Autism in adults is not discussed quite as much as children's autism, a disorder that is now thought to affect rougly one out of every 150 children born. And although treatments are available, autism is not curable and it negatively affects social development and thought processes all throughtout the life of someone who has the disorder. Each person with autism is profoundly different and requires different levels of help. Autism ranges from mild to severe. Adults with mild autism are defined as high-functioning and those with severe autism are considered low-functioning. Low-functioning adults with severe autism need constant care from their families or within a facility that can address their needs around the clock (which is very expensive). In contrast, adults with mild autism can lead relatively normal lives. They can live on their own and work, support and care for themselves. This doesn't mean that they don't have challenges. In fact, many high functioning autistic ad...
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History Of Autism Treatment Was Barbaric

The recorded history of autism is really very short which is quite surprising when you think of how prevelant it is in today's society. The term autism was first coined by Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, in 1911 to apply to adult schizophrenia. It took about 30 more years for autism to be defined as, more or less, what we refer to today. In 1943, Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins University used the term to describe his 5-year long observations of 11 children who had started to withdraw from human contact at around 1 year old. Interestingly enough, at around the same time, a scientist in Germany named Hans Asperger identified  the similar condition that we now know as Asperger's Syndrome. After Kanner and Asperger's discovery, parents were believed to treat their autistic children without the "normal" warmth and affection that parents give their children. As we continue on throught the history of autism, for more than 2 decades (through the 60's), anyone wh...
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Pervasive Development Disorder

A Pervasive Developmental Disorder is used as an umbrella term for all of the following related disorders: Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett syndrome and Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, or PDD-NOS, for short. All of these disorders differ slightly but share the very general common characteristics which lead to  difficulty in socializing with others, repetitive behaviors, and heightened sensitivities to certain stimuli. This article will focus on the PDD-NOS Pervasive Developmental Disorder since that is what most people mean to refer to even if they unintentionally leave the last -NOS out of the term. Individuals with PDD-NOS behave similarly to those with classic autism in many ways. Firstly, it's important to understand that one person affected with PPD-NOS will not act exactly like the next person who is affected with the same disorder (as is the case for autism) so it's important to recognize that you are dealin...
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PDD Disorder

A PDD Disorder (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) or Autism Spectrum Disorder is part of a group of developmental disabilities which, according to recent research, affect as many as 1 in 250  people. Falling under the umbrella of PPD Disorders are: Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD- NOS), Asperger’s Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. These disorders occur in all cultures around the world (although diagnoses differ in frequency and type), in all economic classes and affect up to 5 times as many boys as girls. Usually, these disorders are recognized between the ages of 1 and 3 years, and affect the development of social behavior, verbal and non-verbal communication and attention/interests.  PPDs do not describe a delay in development, but instead, a significant deviation from what is considered normal development. The spectrum of this deviation ranges from mild to severe. About 40 percent of children w...
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Autism Support Groups

If you're having trouble coping with autism in your life, autism support groups offer guidance, benefits and advice. Besides the family who is touched by autsim, certain support groups also include educators, medical professionals, social service workers, policymakers, etc. What are the benefits of joining a support group? First off, when members get together in groups like this, they can really help each other out by sharing information on medical or educational services, programs, and other resources available in the community, county, or state. In groups like these, members can open up about their fears and worries. Knowing other families who are going through the same kinds of situations can really ease the sense of isolation, lonliness and frustration you may be feeling. You can get advice from others who may have experienced similar situations or problems and share your own coping techniques that worked for you. These open discussions can often bring about realistic, logical ...
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Types Of Autism

Classic Autism is the most common of the 5 Pervasive Developmental Disorders and can be classified into many forms and degrees of severity. The types of Autism Spectrum Disorder are Asperger syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PPD-NOS). Before we go on to discuss these, let's take a look at the general characteristics of autism. More recently referred to as "mindblindness", the scientific definition  of Autism is "a severe developmental disorder that begins at birth or within the first two-and-a-half years of life". Basically, those who are diagnosed with autism have a brain disorder that makes it hard for them to interact in what we consider a normal socially acceptable way. They find it difficult to communicate and relate to others because the different parts of their brains aren't able to work together. The severity of autism ranges greatly from one individual to another....
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Sign Of Autism

What is the most common sign of autism? Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States, now being diagnosed in as many as 1 in 150 individuals.  In reality, there is not just one tell-tale sign but there are some "absolute indicators" otherwise known as "red flags", that should be brought to the attention of your pediatrician. Here they are: 1) If your child hasn't really smiled or shown any type of eye contact or happy expression by 6 months or afterwards, this might be an early warning characteristic of autism. 2) If your child is 9 months old or older, he/she should be sharing sounds, smiles or other facial expressions. If this isn't the case, let your pediatrician know. 3) Once he/she has hit 12 months of age, your child should be pointing, showing, reaching or waving. 4) By 16 months of age, your child should be saying at least a couple of words. 5) By 2 years, your child should be expressing 2-word phrases by him/he...
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