Possible causes for autism

Possible Connections to Autism

Although there is still much debate among researchers on the cause of autism, scientists have known the affects for quite some time. The possible known causes of autism are Thimersol-containing vaccines (vaccines containing mercury), genetics, and allergies. The effects of autism are severely impaired social and communication skills, behavioral issues and the inability to filter outside stimuli.

Autism is a mental disorder that develops in early childhood. D. Hockenbury and S. Hockenbury (2005) described autism as: “Characterized by severely impaired social and communication skills, including delayed or complete lack of language development” (p. 589).

Researchers have determined that there are multiple connections to autism. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote Deadly Immunity after consulting with Dr. Bill Weil who is a consultant for the American Academy of Pediatrics. He also consulted with Dr. Richard Johnston, an immunologist and pediatrician from the University of Colorado. The article begins with a theory that levels of Thimerical-containing vaccines (vaccines containing mercury) commonly given at birth causes severe brain injuries and has been linked with autism. According to Kennedy, Weil, and Johnston, case studies were used to determine the outcome:

As the number of vaccines increased, the rate of autism among children exploded. During the 1990’s, 40 million children were injected with Thimersal-based vaccines, receiving unprecedented levels of mercury during a period critical for brain development.

Considering Deadly Immunity clearly uses the rule of falsifiability by identifying some sort of evidence that makes it possible to refute the claim or prove it is false. The research is now considered testable. We can also conclude that although the mercury laced vaccine has a connection to autism, it is possible that the vaccines were given at an age too early in life considering the vaccines are given within hours of birth.

Many researchers and parents are convinced that genetics may also predisposition a person to autism. I have three cousins from my mother’s side of the family that have a varying degree of mental retardation. My aunt never had the financial resources and social support to have her children evaluated. The parallels of my children’s diagnosis of autism are similar to my cousins’ disabilities. This is what led Dr. Davis, my children’s neurologist to believe that it is possible genetics are the cause of autism in my children.

There are significant reasons to believe that allergies may also be responsible for the cause of autism or the behaviors associated with autism. Stephen m. Edelson, Ph.D, Center for the Study of Autism, Salem, Oregon pointed out:

Allergies are common in autistic children and adults. There is growing evidence that allergens are responsible for many of the behavioral problems seen in autistic individuals. In fact, allergens could be the underlying reason or cause of autism in some, if not many children and adults. (p.1)

D. Hockenbury and S. Hockenbury (2005) points out, “Symptoms include repetitive behaviors such as body rocking and abnormal interests which includes an intense preoccupation with mechanical toys” (p. 589). I have three children that have autism. My oldest daughter is seventeen years old. She communicates with us by repeating what has been said to her. She uses body rocking for a calming effect. She has an abnormal interest in which she is fixated on straws and sticks. She holds them extremely close to her eyes and the bridge of her nose. She has never had an interest in toys.

There is no known cure for autism, but there are many treatments that make a difference. Speech therapy can help overcome communication and language barriers, while occupational therapy helps with sensory integration and motor skills. Behavioral therapy improves cognitive skills and reduces inappropriate behavior. Today, Social Stories™ have been used for behavior modification in children with autism. Social Stories™ are pictures of simple instructions or visual cues for appropriate situations. Children with autism typically are visual learners. Crozier and Tincani (1997) explain the benefits of a social story: “Social Stories™ are potentially beneficial for several reasons. They capitalize on the visual learning strengths of students with autism (as cited in Quill 2007). Also, the Stories’ book format is unobtrusive in an educational setting and therefore, less stigmatizing.”

Social Stories™ are an important part of my children’s lives. We use Social Stories™ to explain when it is time to take a bath, go to church, camp, and to help visualize appropriate behaviors. Social Stories™ are also important for new changes in routine. Children with autism have trouble coping with changes in routine.

In my experience, speech therapy is one of the most single important treatments for a child with autism. My fifteen year old daughter is non-verbal as a result of autism. She struggles forming words. Speech therapy has helped her tremendously with vocalizing several new words. She is also assisted with an augmented speech device. This device has selected words and phrases in a woman’s voice tailored to her wants and needs.

It seems apparent that genetics, allergies, and the levels of mercury in our vaccines have a connection with the cause of autism. Although there is no known cure for autism, we have the ability to minimize the effects of autism with early interventions such as speech therapy, behavioral intervention, Social Stories™, psychotropic medications, and special diets.

(Bukisa ID #21198)

Content Source: Possible causes for autism - Bukisa.com

The Different Types Of Autism Treatment

Autism refers to a brain disorder, which typically affects a child's ability to communicate, form relationships, and respond appropriately to the environment. While some people suffering from Autism are relatively high functioning, there are others who are mentally retarded, have serious language delays, or are mute.

The actual cause of Autism is not known. But Autism is relatively easy to spot, and children as young as 18 months start showing symptoms. It is futile to believe that children will just grow out of it. In fact, the early years provide the best time for progress and improvement. So, intensive therapy should begin as early as possible. While different children suffering from Autism may have different problems, parents of such children have to face one overwhelming challenge - there is no single agreed upon method for treating this condition. Parents, researchers, and doctors have not been able to reach common ground here.

Autism treatment usually consists of a combination of behavioral therapy, language and speech therapy, and special education in schools. Reports suggest that play-based behavioral therapies and alternative treatments involving dietary restrictions and vitamin supplements are beneficial. But, there is no solid proof to support this. What makes matters worse is that many children are beset with additional problems like sleeping difficulties, anxiety, or gastrointestinal problems.

ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis)
This is often referred to as the Intensive Behavioral Intervention (though there are differences between the two). Studies show that children suffering from Autism can make dramatic progress when they receive this kind of instruction. Parents and doctors mostly accept this treatment because this is one of the most researched of all treatments. This program involves intensive one-to-one interaction between the child and the teacher. Each skill is broken down into sub-skills and each of these sub-skills is taught intensely, one at a time. It is a reward-based program where toddlers receive a lot of positive reinforcement. Activities begin from simple actions (identifying colors) and progress to more advanced activities (language). ABA depends on prompting, positive reinforcement, and differential reinforcement.

Nutritional Therapy
This therapy is based on the surmise that certain ingredients in food can have a damaging effect on the brain of an autistic person. Leaving some substances out of the diet (milk and gluten, for instance) have shown startling positive changes in patients. Additionally, vitamin-B12 and magnesium supplements are administered to cover any deficiencies. These kinds of special diets curtail some of the more distressing symptoms like disruptive outbursts, restlessness, and sleeping disorders.

Anti-fungal Treatment
Since autistic children often suffer from poor bowel ecology, overgrowth of fungi and microbes is a problem. Therefore, autistic children respond well to anti-fungal treatments. These children are also found to have high concentrations of yeast and anaerobic bacteria. Evidence suggests that Candida Albicans, a form of yeast, may cause Autism and may also exacerbate the behavioral and health problems found in autistic children.

A detoxification treatment called Chelation Therapy is slowly gaining popularity among doctors. This treatment is based on the theory that some children's vaccines are exceptionally high in heavy metals like mercury preservatives, and this causes autism.

It is because of the vast multitude of therapies that many desperate parents opt for combination treatments. An estimated 30% of parents try special diets, non-traditional methods, or vitamin treatments. Music, vision therapy treatments, yoga and horseback riding are also used to treat autism. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict which children will benefit from a program or whether there is light at the end of that particular tunnel at all.

(Bukisa ID #55820)

Content Source: The Different Types Of Autism Treatment - Bukisa.com

The Signs Of The Unexplainable Autism Disease

The brain is an infinite labyrinth. No one-despite the surmountable efforts of history and modern day's great men-can truly decipher or describe how it ticks and how it works. Although it is considered as a powerful tool of any man who can utilize it to its maximum potential, the brain-or the mind-is not always designed for greatness.

Due to its inexplicable ticking, sometimes, the brain itself can be destructive to a person's life. One of the cases in which the brain causes intolerable pain to the person affected and to the individuals that surround him is the Asperger's Disorder or the Asperger's Syndrome.

Together with Autism, Rett's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger's Syndrome is considered as one of the five Pervasive Development Disorders or PDDs.
PDDs or the set of neurologically based disorders has been identified to show a distinctive range of delays in different developmental stages of an individual.

First described in 1940 by Hans Asperger, a Viennese pediatrician, the concept of Asperger's Syndrome stemmed from the autistic-like behaviors of boys that have normal intelligence. Since the symptoms are like those in autism, many experts considered it as a "milder form of autism."

Although they have almost the same characteristics, Asperger's Disorder is comparably the less severe form of autism. This severity in the symptoms is mainly highlighted by the absence of language delays because children who are suffering for the illness are slightly affected when it comes to their communication skills. More often than not, these kids do have good language and cognitive skills.

The disorder-that is also distinguished by the same kind of abnormalities of correlative social interaction like in autism-also embodies a restricted, conventional, incessant repertoire of activities and interests. But, unlike people who suffer from Autism, the people who are suffering from Asperger's Syndrome do not experience a delay in cognitive development or retardation in language. And unlike autism, most individuals are of normal general intelligence. But since they are suffering from a neurological disorder, they exude extreme clumsiness. Unlike autistic children that are perceived as indifferent, children with Asperger's are more than willing to fit and mingle-only, they just do not know how. Since they are clueless on how to interact with others, they are seen as socially awkward individuals that do not have the grasp of social norms. Due to absence of empathy, these people usually may have limited eye contact, seemingly not attentive in a conversation, and do not know how to use gestures.

One of the common symptoms of a child who has an Asperger's Syndrome is his or her unusual speech pattern. Since they have generally good language skills, it is quite noticeable how the child he or she uses language in various ways that usually lack inflection or doing it in some sort of a singsong. When it comes to inclination of interests, a child suffering from Asperger's Syndrome tends to be obsessive on a particular subject.

Although the case of Asperger's Syndrome is slightly mild compared to Autism and any other PDD, the threat might be a little underrated or underestimated. Most experts agree that there is indeed a strong inclination that the abnormalities will continue up the person's later stage of life like in adolescence and adult life. It is also possible that that as the person suffering from the disorder get older, he or she would represent individual characteristics and occasionally disturbing psychotic episodes.

Aside from the autistic-like behaviors, it can be said that the person suffering from Asperger's Syndrome is he or show symptoms of language impairment, social impairment marked by impaired social understanding, obvious peculiarities or behavioral "oddness" or mannerisms. Other symptoms of Asperger's Disorder are social delays with non-verbal communication problems, lack of spontaneity, clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements, limited interests and/or unusual preoccupations, repetitive routines or rituals and preoccupation in their own world with their own agenda

(Bukisa ID #55816)

Content Source: The Signs Of The Unexplainable Autism Disease - Bukisa.com

Autism Jewelry for Fundraising and Awareness

With the rising incidences of autism and autism spectrum disorders, more and more people are becoming vocal about this disability. Many decorate their car with magnetic decals, wear t-shirts that speak about autism, and adorn themselves with autism jewelry. Autism jewelry is great for both men and women, and can be used to raise awareness or for fundraising purposes.

Autism Jewelry – The Symbols and Meanings

The symbol of autism awareness is the puzzle piece. This was chosen because of the mystery and complexity surrounding the autism diagnosis. There are so many categorizations and symptoms of autism, some of the contradictory. The puzzle piece symbol is very fitting.

Autism symbology often uses the primary colors of red, yellow, and blue. These colors are bright, happy colors associated with childhood. They also symbolize the many faces of autism today.

Autism Jewelry – The Autism Ribbon

Like most modern causes, autism has a ribbon. Breast cancer has a pink ribbon, heart disease’s ribbon is red. Autism uses the multi-colored puzzle piece design to cover its ribbon. This ribbon design is used in a lot of autism jewelry. It is also used for magnetic car signs, clothing decoration, and other autism awareness items.

Autism Jewelry – Retail Sources

If you wish to purchase autism jewelry for your personal use, you can find many different styles at the retail sources listed below. Some popular autism jewelry styles include stretchy bracelets with ribbon and puzzle piece charms, large puzzle piece key chains or necklace charms, and autism wristbands.

Some of the most popular places to purchase autism jewelry, and other autism awareness items, online are: AutismGear.com, CraftsNScraps.com, and AutismAwarenessJewelry.com.

Autism Jewelry – Wholesale Fundraising Sources

If you want to purchase autism jewelry in bulk to sell it for fundraising purposes, you will probably either need a resale license or be a recognized charity. You can purchase key chains, necklaces, bracelets, and other autism jewelry items in bulk.

A few places that sell wholesale autism jewelry are Fundraising-JewelryWholesale.com and AwarenessDepot.com.

If you or your group is planning an autism fundraising event, it is a good idea to purchase a large quantity of autism jewelry. Mark the items up a certain percentage and send all the profits to your autism charity of choice.

Wearing autism jewelry is a great way to show your involvement with this common disability. You can choose to wear autism jewelry to create camaraderie with other parents of autistic spectrum children. You can also purchase wholesale autism jewelry for fundraising sales. Whatever reason, autism jewelry is a great thing to purchase and wear.

(Bukisa ID #25018)

Content Source: Autism Jewelry for Fundraising and Awareness - Bukisa.com

Beyond The Autism Diagnosis

Remember to laugh. It is one of the most important things you will do for your child. Crying over a child's disability will not change things. Having a positive attitude, keeping your sense of humor and determination to help your child will do far more than tears. Even those who are well meaning may say things that are negative. Ignore the negative comments and criticism. You have enough to deal with, without dwelling on what others say.

Learn everything you can about the issues your child may face. Contact other parents who have children with like disabilities. They are your best resource and often word of mouth is how you learn about programs that will benefit your child. Contact organizations that deal with the disability and research as much as you can. Find out what state and federal programs your child may qualify for and apply for them. Qualifying for some programs usually makes a person eligible for others. Do not let pride keep you from using government programs meant to help you and your child. Don't let others made you feel ashamed for using these programs. That is why these programs are around, to help those with needs.

Treat your child as though there is nothing wrong with them. Discipline them when they need it, encourage them to do their best and expect them to succeed beyond the disability. There will be limits, but if you give your child the right direction in life they will do better. Help them set positive goals.

Take care of yourself. A special needs child can take up much of your time, leaving you feeling flustered. You can not do the best for your child if you are feeling rundown. Take some time for yourself and see to your own emotional needs. Get away for an evening every once in a while. Leave your child with someone who is familiar with him and the child is comfortable with. If your leaving upsets the child have the sitter distract them while you get out. No matter what, leave the house. Your child will survive and you will get that time away that you need.

Raising your special needs child has challenges. There will be milestones and there will be setbacks, but if you keep things in perspective; with a positive attitude your child can excel beyond your expectations.

(Bukisa ID #14518)

Content Source: Beyond The Autism Diagnosis - Bukisa.com