Autism Diagnosis

Autism Learning Disabilities Diagnosis Currently, there are no objective medical tests for the diagnosis of autism and no reproducible genetic or biological markers for the disorder. The diagnosis is made with a multidisciplinary approach involving a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, speech and language professional, audiologist, and special educator.

Using a standardized rating scale, the specialist closely observes and evaluates the child's language and social behavior. A structured interview is also used to elicit information from parents about the child's behavior and early development. Reviewing family videotapes, photos, and baby albums may help parents recall when each behavior first occurred and when the child reached certain developmental milestones. The specialists may also test for certain genetic and neurological problems.

There is no conclusive scientific evidence that any part of a vaccine or combination of vaccines causes autism, even though researchers have done many studies to answer this important question. There is also no proof that any material used to make or preserve the vaccine plays a role in causing autism. Although there have been reports of studies that relate vaccines to autism, these findings have not held up under further investigation.There is no cure for autism , nor is there one single treatment for autism spectrum disorders. But there are ways to help the symptoms of autism and to maximize learning .

Behavioral therapy and other therapeutic options
Behavior management therapy helps to reinforce wanted behaviors, and reduce unwanted behaviors. It is often based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Then Speech-language therapists can help people with autism improve their ability to communicate and interact with others. Occupational therapists can help people find ways to adjust tasks to match their needs and abilities. Physical therapists design activities and exercise to build motor control and improve posture and balance.

Educational and school-based options
Public schools are required to provide free, appropriate public education from age 3 through high schools or age 21, whichever comes first. Typically, a team of people, including the parents, teachers, caregivers, school psychologists, and other child development specialists work together to design an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to help guide the child's school experiences.

Medication options
Currently there are no medications that can cure autism spectrum disorders or all of the symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medications specifically for the treatment of autism, but in many cases medication can treat some of the symptoms associated with autism. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricycles, psychoactive or anti-psychotics, stimulants, and anti-anxiety drugs are among the medications that a health care provider might use to treat symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. Secretin is a hormone that helps digestion but it is not recommended as a treatment for autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment for Emergency
Emerging and alternative treatments for autism range from medical treatments to diets to eastern and holistic interventions. Find out more about options for treatment, weigh the possibilities, and learn how to evaluate the usefulness of different treatments for the autistic person in your life.

Causes of Autism

No one really knows for sure what causes autism. Most experts will say that autism is probably caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Even those experts, though, do not have a definite answer. For many people, this uncertainty is terribly frustrating. On the plus side, interest in and funding for autism research is on the rise, so new and better information should be forthcoming in the next months and years.

Controversial Topic causes Autism

Autism is highly controversial but what causes is unknown. Many people are passionate about the issue, and hold strong beliefs. Recent books, articles and TV programs have raised awareness and heated up the argument. This article provides an overview of different theories, all of which have strong supporters.

Vaccines Causes Autism

There are two theories that link autism and vaccines. The first theory suggests that the MMR (Mumps-Measles-Rubella) vaccine may cause intestinal problems leading to the development of autism. The second theory suggests that a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal, used in some vaccines, could be connected to autism.

Genetic Causes Autism

It is very likely that autism has a genetic basis of some sort. Many studies have shown that parents from families with autistic members are more likely to have autistic children. It is also the case that many families with one autistic child are at increased risk of having more than one autistic child.

Bad Parent Causes Autism

No. Dr. Kanner, the man who first identified autism as a unique condition, had the idea that cold refrigerator mothers caused autism. He was wrong. Dr. Kanner's misinterpretation of autism created a generation of parents carrying the guilt for their child's disability. Autism runs in families. Twins are very likely to share autistic traits. While these facts suggest that autism is genetic. Fortunately, our generation is spared that burden.

Typical Brain Development Causes Autism

Researchers have found differences between the autistic brain and the typical brain. Autistic individuals seem to have larger brains. They also seem to process information differently; in other words, their brains are wired differently.

Immune Deficiency Causes Autism

There is some evidence that autism is linked to problems in the immune system. Autistic individuals often have other physical issues related to immune deficiency. Some researcher's say they have developed effective treatments based on boosting the immune system. The NIH, however, states that the evidence is not yet strong enough to show a causal relationship

Food Allergies Causes Autism

There is some evidence that allergies to certain foods could contribute to autistic symptoms. Most people who hold to this theory feel that gluten (a wheat product) and casein (a dairy product) are the most significant culprits.

Poor Nutrition Causes Autism

It seems unlikely that malnutrition, per se, can cause autism. But mega vitamin therapies have been used for many years to treat autistic symptoms. Dr. Bernard Rim-land, of the Autism Institute, has been a leader in this area.

It seems likely, given the research so far, that several factors combine to cause autism. For example, it may be that certain children are genetically more susceptible to certain types of food allergies, or more likely to react badly to certain environmental toxins. Until we have more definitive answers, though, it seems to make sense to focus more on treatments and to support researchers as they learn more about causes. Recent research has turned up new information about genetics, brain structure, environmental issues and more. As scientists build consensus, they are closing in on possible causes and cures for autism.

Symptoms of Autism

Communication - both verbal (spoken) and non-verbal (unspoken, such as pointing, eye contact, and smiling)

Social - such as sharing emotions, understanding how others think and feel, and holding a conversation.

Routines or repetitive behaviors such as repeating words or actions, obsessively following routines or schedules, and playing in repetitive ways.

The symptoms of autism can usually be observed by 18 months of age.

does not respond to his/her name.

cannot explain what he/she wants.

language skills are slow to develop or speech is delayed.

doesn't follow directions.

at times, the child seems to be deaf.

seems to hear sometimes, but not other times.

doesn't point or wave "bye-bye."

doesn't understand the concept of pointing; will look at the hand pointing rather than the object being pointed at.

used to say a few words or babble, but now he/she doesn't.

throws intense or violent tantrums.

has odd movement patterns.

likes to spin around in a circle.

is overly active, uncooperative, or resistant.

doesn't know how to play with toys.

doesn't smile when smiled at.

has poor eye contact.

gets "stuck" doing the same things over and over and can't move on to other things.

seems to prefer to play alone.

gets things for him/herself only.

is very independent for his/her age.

does things "early" compared to other children.

seems to be in his/her "own world."

seems to tune people out.

is not interested in other children.

dislikes playing pretend.

walks on his/her toes.

shows unusual attachments to toys, objects, or schedules

spends a lot of time stacking objects, lining things up or putting things in a certain order.

unconcerned about - or completely oblivious to - dangers around him/her

Autism Spectrum Disorder

The autistic spectrum is a developmental and behavioral syndrome that results from certain combinations of characteristically autistic traits. Although these traits may be normally distributed in the population, some individuals inherit or otherwise manifest more autistic traits. At the severe end of the spectrum is low-functioning autism which has profound impairments in many areas, to Asperger's syndrome, which is usually mistaken as a form of autism, and high-functioning autism, to "normal" behavior and perhaps hyper-socialization on the high end of the spectrum.

Autism spectrum disorder is an increasingly popular term that refers to a broad definition of autism including the classic form of the disorder as well as closely related conditions such as PDD-NOS and Asperger's syndrome. Although the classic form of autism can be easily distinguished from other forms of autism spectrum disorder, the terms are often used interchangeably.A related continuum, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, involves how well humans integrate the information they receive from their senses. Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Sensory Integration Dysfunction are all closely related and overlap.

Some people believe that there might be two manifestations of classical autism, regressive autism and early infantile autism. Early infantile autism is present at birth while regressive autism begins before the age of 3 and often around 18 months. Although this causes some controversy over when the neurological differences involved in autism truly begin, some speculate that an environmental influence or toxin triggers the disorder. This triggering could occur during gestation due to a toxin that enters the mother's body and is transferred to the fetus. The triggering could also occur after birth during the crucial early nervous system development of the child.

Autism is not the result of emotional deprivation or emotional stress.A willful desire to avoid social contact.Due in any way to parental rejection or cold parenting.In any way class related.A mental illness.

Asperger Syndrome

In people with Asperger's Syndrome, deficits in social interaction and unusual responses to the environment, similar to those in autism, are observed. Unlike in autism, however, cognitive and communicative developments are within the normal or near-normal range in the first years of life, and verbal skills are usually an area of relative strength. Idiosyncratic interests are common and may take the form of an unusual and/or highly circumscribed interest. There is some suggestion of an increased incidence of this condition in family members. The validity of this condition, as opposed to high-functioning autism, remains a topic of debate .Inconsistencies in the way the term has been used and the lack, until quite recently, of recognized official definitions have made it difficult to interpret the research available on this condition. Even now, some clinicians will use the term to refer to persons with autism who have IQs in the normal range, or to adults with autism, or to PDD-NOS; recent official definitions emphasize differences from autism, e.g. in terms of better communication (particularly verbal) skills. It also seems likely that that the condition overlaps, at least in part, with some forms of learning disability, e.g., the syndrome of Nonverbal Learning Disability.