Autism - Signs, Symptoms, Treatments, Resources, Support for Autism

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

In an effort to do everything possible to help their children, many parents continually seek new treatments. Some treatments are developed by reputable therapists or by parents of a child with ASD. Although an unproven treatment may help one child, it may not prove beneficial to another. To be accepted as a proven treatment, the treatment should undergo clinical trials, preferably randomized, double-blind trials, that would allow for a comparison between treatment and no treatment. Although many studies have been done to assess whether abnormal amounts of vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients can be found in people with autism, results have not clearly pointed to any abnormalities that are consistently linked with the disorder. Although few, if any, of these claims are backed up by scientific studies, parents and physicians alike have reported improvement in symptoms in people given certain supplements, including vitamin B, magnesium, cod liver oil, and vitamin C. S...

Question: What Do Doctors Say About Autism Diets?   What do doctors say about autism diets? Can they really make a difference?   Answer: While some practitioners (Defeat Autism Now doctors in particular) recommend special autism diets for their patients, most mainstream practitioners do not. This is most likely because many of the theories behind these diets (most of which eliminate wheat and dairy) appear to be incorrect - and others are not fully researched. The bottom line, however, is that Gluten Free Cassein Free (GFCF) diets can make a difference for some children with autism. This is probably not because they heal or cure underlying symptoms of autism, but because they treat gastrointestinal problems which are surprisingly common among children with autism (about 12% to 19% of children with autism have chronic diarrhea, constipation, reflux and other issues). Dr. Cynthia Molloy is a researcher at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinn...

Can gluten or casein (wheat or dairy) actually cause autism? Books and websites galore recommend that people with autism eliminate wheat and dairy from their diets. Some therapists, parents, doctors and writers swear they know a child who, as a result of this diet, has completely "recovered" from autism, and the child no longer qualifies for an autism spectrum label. Mainstream doctors and researchers, however, tend to be skeptical about claims of "cures" as a result of dietary change. Could wheat and dairy actually be the culprits for at least some cases of autism? Do Gluten and Cassein Cause Autism? The Opiate Theory A popular theory follows this logic: Wheat gluten and cassein contain proteins which break down into molecules that resemble opium-like drugs. Children with autism have compromised digestive systems, including "leaky guts." Leaky gut syndrome is a somewhat controversial diagnosis; in essence, it means that a person's i...