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

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 ...

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....

One of the often used methods to treat Autism is medication. After all, it is usually the cheaper and more convenient alternative to other available treatment methods. With any medication, it’s important to make yourself aware of side effects. Many parents consider any side effects to be minor as compared to the symptoms their children are currently facing. Some professionals have the opinion that medications don’t “cure” anything. They merely conceal and minimize symptoms. Even so, many look to medications as a temporary relief from troublesome side effects including self-injurious behavior. The medications that are used to treat autism are Neuroleptics or “major tranquilizers”. These should not be confused with “minor tranquilizers” such as Valium and Xanax which are often prescribed to treat anxiety. Unlike minor tranqulizers, neuroleptics regulate the use of dopamine in the brain and often helps with autistic symptoms such as self-injury and obsessive, repetitive behaviors. Whe...