Did You Know These Facts About Autism?

There have been many conditions thought history that have been mistaken for something else, and before the human mind was understood, many with mental disabilities were placed in jail. They were deemed a threat and were then heavily medicated. Today, we have a greater understanding of what some people go through, and although different from everyone else, we know there is an underlying reason for it. We know do our best to help people like this instead of persecuting them. When looking back through the history of autism, it is obvious that though it was given a name in the early part of the 1900s, it was largely misunderstood by people for a long time.

Some believe that autism was first noticed as a condition around 1911, but it wasn't really anything other than a theory at that time. A Swiss psychiatrist by the name of Eugen Bleuler is thought to be the first to use the term. The word 'autism' meant 'an escape from reality' and was based on behaviors he observed in adults and it was attributed to schizophrenia. Though that was false and misleading, it was a step closer to putting a name to a condition that was largely misunderstood.

New information was found from one of the earliest recorded studies of children with autism. From 1938 to the year 1943, a doctor by the name of Leo Kanner studied the behaviors of eleven autistic children. The children he chose to study were ones that seem to withdraw from interaction with others as early as age one. The type of autism that he recorded and named was what would be considered 'classic autism' and is often referred to as Kanner's Syndrome.

These children were thought to have different characteristics than those classified as mentally retarded. However, at this time it was still largely misunderstood. Some believed parents were to blame, and these children were often removed from the home and placed with others to see if they would 'recover.'

It wasn't until the 1960s when the disorder was finally being studied and understood for what it really is and the impacts it has on a person. The finger pointing at parents of autistic children reduced as understanding grew, but there was and still is in some cases a lot of misinformation about autism, and many parents feel the need to defend themselves, as if they've 'done something' to their child.

Higher functioning autistic children and adults are often said to have Asperger's. This condition was documented by Hans Asperger in 1944, but was not something that gained wider awareness until later in the 1980s. He described this condition as 'autistic psychopaths' and some of the blame was put on the mothers of these children, claiming that they were cold and heartless. Though we know today that this is not true, it was widely accepted at the time.

Since then, PDD (pervasive development disorder) has been studied and is now more understood. PDD is a blanket term for the spectrum of autistic disorders that are now known today.

The history of autism is a rough one, but that can be said about many of the conditions that affect the mind and the personality. Though more understanding exists today, there is much that is still misunderstood.

Perhaps the most important thing is that parents are no longer blamed for the conditions of autism, and that more treatments are available to help a child with this condition. Recently thinking suggests Autism is an auto-immune condition, and that it can be genetic. There is no cure, but there are programs that can increase communication and socialization skills in some children and adults.

Hopefully by understanding the history of autism we can take steps to progress treatment programs further.

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans' brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family find out about autism group support and for information on diagnosing autism please visit The Essential Guide To Autism.

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Defeat Autism Now

In 1995, a group of thirty scientists and physicians were selected to try to get together and defeat autism. These forward thinking researchers were chosen due to their experience working with autism and hailed from the United States and Europe. Not satisfied with the available treatments for autism, this meeting of the minds was created to embark on a new pathway to understanding autism and finding different ways to treat it. Today the group still meets to share what they have discovered and further our understanding of autism.

It took them a year but the DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) conference produced some sterling results. What they were able to come up with was a 244-page manual entitled Biomedical Assessment Options for Children with Autism and Related Problems. This manual was a progressive and cutting-edge approach to the treatment of autism and did not rely on using various drugs to treat autism. It was a more holistic approach that involved various components including diet, intestinal function, vitamin deficiencies, excess proteins, viruses, vaccinations, antibiotics, probiotics, amino acids, and more. Nearly every possible angle was researched in order to come up with the answers that had been obscured by conventional treatment for so long.

Autism is not a well-understood condition. According to research it is a biological disorder that affects the brain. However, the causes of the disorder are not fully understood. There appears to be a variety of causes that are in someway related. Autism usually has a strong effect on social functioning. Cases can range from mild to severe and over the years more and more autistic people, children especially, have been able to attend school in regular classes and thrive in such environments.

DAN! was created in order to address the limitations of available treatments and the understanding of the disorder. The participants wanted to move away from traditional thinking and invent their own paradigm. It seems to have worked! If this approach to the treatment of autism interests you, then you can find out information about how to contact a DAN! practitioner quite easily. The first step is to visit www.autismwebsite for information on DAN! and access to scientifically-researched information on autism. Within the website you will find tons of resources that will give you a better understanding on the mechanizations of autism. There are also a variety of scientific papers and studies that you can review. In addition, there are helpful links to detailed lists of DAN! practitioners in the United States and around the world. There are not just thirty anymore! Since the revelations from the DAN! conference have become public more and more medical professionals around the world have adopted the suggestions the original doctors and scientists discovered.

If you want to find out more information about DAN! don't fret. There are a ton of resources on the web that discuss the effectiveness of DAN! and how to go about finding someone who understands the group's findings and can help you apply it to your loved one. You can find personal stories and testimonials, journalistic articles, and many other resources that stand as a testament to DAN!

Rachel Evans also writes a useful Free Autism Newsletter. You can grab your free copy here: Free Autism Newsletter. For more information on coping with autism and autism resources and for information on the benefits of a Defeat Autism Now Doctor.

The Relationship Between Music and Autism - Understanding the Benefits

Parents of autistic children can find searching out suitable treatment options can become a never-ending struggle. Indeed, the hardest part can often be figuring out which new treatments are the most effective, and which are merely speculative. With regards to music and autism, it is widely agreed that music is a great tool for treating autistic children, and can also help in the diagnostic phase.

As has been widely documented, children with autism have difficulty with their ability to communicate, learn successfully, interact in a social setting, and develop new skill sets. But music has been shown to help all of these problems, due mainly in the way which it is structured.

Basically, it is the repetition and different anticipated progressions that make music so effective at reaching autistic children. The children learn patience and tolerance from music, and can apply these lessons in social situations.

In addition to being a great tool for helping to teach and treat autistic children, music can help in the diagnosis of autism as well. For example, exposing a child to music can help determine the level and severity of the specific case. And, specific strengths and weaknesses of the child can also be identified through music.

As a separate benefit, some studies have shown that autistic children are much more eager to listen to music than other children in the same age group are. So while music can be a very valuable tool for teaching autistic children, it can also be a rewarding experience for the child, giving it dual purpose.

One possible reason for this is that studies have shown autistic children have a more refined ability to differentiate between pitch, therefore creating a more enjoyable and interactive experience for them when listening to music.

There are many ways in which to incorporate music and autism. A popular method is to have stories told while incorporating musical elements, thereby increasing an autistic child's interest and learning ability. Often times, these stores are specifically designed for autistic children, and come as part of a set or series. These can even be purchased based on age or learning-ability.

Basically, the ultimate goal of these music-themed lessons is to increase patience, improve the ability to learn, improve social interaction, and to increase memory. And while the benefits to utilizing musical therapy in treating autism are numerous and effective, perhaps the most important benefit is the enjoyment that an autistic child can get from listening to music

Essentially, music and autism are linked together, and have been proven so repeatedly. Whether this is because of autistic children's enhanced ability to discern pitch, or an interest in the complex yet repetitive structure of music, the increased response to music is an extremely important learning tool, and should be utilized by parents and teachers appropriately. Ultimately, this will be for the benefit of both parent and child.

Dealing with Autism in Public

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects roughly one out of 100 children. It is characterized by a lack of ability to function socially and in more severe cases, the process of communication.

Discovering that your child has autism can be a traumatic experience. Oftentimes, parents may believe there is something developmentally wrong with their child, but accepting that autism is the culprit can be difficult to say the least. Accepting that your child is autistic and getting him the help he needs is just the beginning. There are many other factors that go into parenting an autistic child.

At first, having an autistic child can be embarrassing for some parents. Autistic children do not have the same social skills as most of their peers. They are often prone to fits of anger and violence due to their inability to properly communicate. Oftentimes, these 'tantrums' occur in public.

There are many people that do not understand the first thing about autism. This means that they are more likely to make rude or insensitive comments about autistic people. People, on the whole, are an understanding bunch, although there are plenty of people who will make insensitive comments, ask inappropriate questions, and even stare at autistic children.

The first instinct for many parents may be to meet this insensitivity with anger. This is not the best approach. Consider that the person who makes an insensitive comment is ignorant to what autism is. They just don't know any better!

What you should do as a parent, is try to ignore the comments if possible. This may be easier said than done, but it falls upon you to be the voice of reason. In addition, you should always focus on providing a good example for your child. Remember, the well-being and safety of your child is paramount. Everything else is secondary.

If ignoring rudeness is impossible, you should approach confrontation with the aim to educate. If someone understands that your child is autistic they will be less likely to make any further comments.

In addition, it is a good idea to have a plan when you go out in public. Understand the types of situations that can upset your child and do your best to avoid these circumstances whenever possible. It is also a good idea to keep a journal of your child's behaviors and cross-reference them with locations. This will allow you to understand the triggers for bouts of violent or aggressive behavior.

To minimize disruptive behavior, think about the particular outing you have planned and what the worst case scenario would be and then plan for it. Take along a favorite toy or snack for placating your child, if they do 'act out' or make unusual movements/noises have some stock answers at the ready i.e 'Sam has autism and lots of people/noises/new environments upset him. His movements/noises helps him cope with stressful situations'. Try going out in small groups of friends or family who know your child and can help you cope with any public outbursts or comments from strangers.

Dealing with autism in public is not an easy task. There are many people out there who will make judgments, comments, and other rude gestures at your child. Parents of other 'normal' children may also make insensitive comments. This is a negative part of human nature – but it is impossible for you to change it. What you can do is to provide information about the disorder and offer insight that will help others understand. If this does not work do not initiate a confrontation, as that will probably only upset your child and probably attract further attention.

Rachel Evans writes a Free Autism Newsletter. You can join for free here please visit Free Autism Newsletter. For more information on the latest autism research and for information on autism pdd

Autism in Adults

Autism is a disorder that now affects one out of every 166 children born. It is a disorder that is permanent and negatively affects social development and thought processes. The transition into adulthood generally occurs at the age of fourteen, where preparation for adulthood starts. Now is a good time to consider job possibilities, if applicable, and what training will be needed to help an autistic child get ready for adulthood.

There are generally two types of autistics: high functioning and low functioning. Low functioning autistic adults need constant care. They generally live at home with their parents or in residential facilities where their needs can be constantly addressed. For most of these individuals, the world is a far away place that they cannot reach. Group homes and residential facilities are rare and highly expensive so many low functioning autistic adults are taken care of by their families.

On the other hand, high functioning autistic adults can be highly successful and lead relatively normal lives. They can work, support and care for themselves, and live on their own. This is not to say they do not face any problems. In fact, many high functioning autistic adults see their main problem as the way others perceive them. The ability of adults with autism to take care of themselves is often directly related to the need-based education they received as children. If properly taught social responses and accepted behaviors, autistic adults can function as contributing members of society. They can have families, careers, and social lives. However, the majority of even high-functioning autistic adults live at home or in residential facilities.

In terms of employment, autistic adults usually are best suited to jobs that address their particular strengths. According to research, autistic adults generally have limited short-term memory, but excellent long-term memory compared to most people. In addition, there are support groups and services that help autistic adults take care of themselves.

It is difficult to offer general advice for adults with autism because autism is a spectrum disorder. Some may need constant care, while others are brilliant and innovative thinkers. Each person with autism is profoundly different and requires different levels of help.

Organizations like the Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAAC) provide employment opportunities for autistic adults. In addition, they conduct various job training programs based on the areas of strength for that particular candidate.

The ability of an autistic adult to manage a job, home, and taking care of financial obligations comes from education, training, and the severity of their disorder. There are autistic adults that have college degrees and are extremely innovative and there are others that require fairly simple jobs in order to succeed. Paying bills, cooking, and other independent behaviors can sometimes be taught. Other times, special services may be required to help independent autistic adults stay independent.

If you ask some, autism is a difficult disorder to live with. Many people with autism face social nightmares on a daily basis. Being unable to adequately mediate responses and situations is not a choice – it is part of who they are. However, with the right amount of support and training, many autistic adults can function in society. Many autistic adults indicate that the reactions of other people to their "bizarre" behaviors is often troubling. It is important that mainstream society becomes familiar with autism, especially since the number of autistic children being born is climbing at an alarming rate. Just like people with other disabilities, autistic people require special understanding. They are different from the majority of people, but this difference does not mean they are worthless, nor that they should not be given chances to succeed.

By Rachel Evans. Join The Free Managing Autism Newsletter & Discover New Methods For Understanding And Treating Autism. Visit our resources to increase autism awareness and for more gather more information on adult autism

How To Improve The Behavior Of A Child With Autism

All children are blessings. The same is the case with those who bear a neurological disorder called autism. As such, just like any blessing, they too should be treasured and cared for. It is our responsibility to make them feel better by guiding them towards a normal and happy life.

As a neurological disorder, autism cannot be dealt with through psychiatric treatments, contrary to the former dominant beliefs of the early 20th century. However, there is still hope when it comes to modifying behavior through the provision of appropriate stimuli. This behavior modification process will take some tools such as autism toys and autism behavior checklists. Some autism behavior management treatments are also advised such as autism behavior cognitive therapy. When combined, these procedures and tools will surely result to an observable positive change in an autistic child's behavior and outlook in life.

Autism Behavior Checklist

The autism behavior checklist is the first stop to make. This will include certain aspects of behavior which need to be modified such as manners, attention span and a child's level of maturity. It is crucial to monitor the progress a child is making, or in some cases, failing to develop.

In order to make the checklist work, cognitive behavior therapy should be applied. This can happen with the help of special education centers which teach children with autism the right ways of life through thoroughly researched manners. Hand in hand with such professional help should be the parent's or guardian's devotion into reinforcing the lectures whenever the kid spends time with them.

Autism Toys

To reinforce the lessons and therapy, a child with autism should gain access to the best neurological toys. These are playthings which stimulate and enhance the brain's function, in order to make up for an autistic child's way of thinking. Mostly, these consist of easy to moderate puzzles and colored toys. The use of these toys will also train the children to lengthen their patience, a trait which most autistic kids lack.

There are also toys which produce sounds and visuals which easily catch a child's attention. The development of such toys is a clever move since children with autism often suffer from short attention span.

By utilizing all these tools, anyone will be able to treat a child with autism with utter warmth and care. As you can see, these methods are very easy and the tools aren't too expensive. As such, bringing light and joy to an autistic child's world is as easy as can be.

If you are experiencing troubles with your child regarding autism, just apply all that you have read in this article. Combine it with a lot of love and care and you'll see that bringing happiness to life's greatest blessings is as easy as one- two- three.

What is Autism?

Autism is a neurological disorder that mainly affects social skills and language. It is almost always diagnosed by three years of age. It is defined in the DSM-4 Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorders under the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders. The DSM-4 is what doctors and other mental health professionals use to diagnose disorders that affect cognitive abilities, and mental health such as depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Once considered rare, autism is now more prevalent. Here's an interesting statistic: A little over 20 years ago, the Centers for Disease Control reported that autism affected 1 in 10,000 children. Today that number is 1 inn 166.

Many individuals with autism have limited verbal language skills, while some have no verbal language at all. Those with language skill have difficulty engaging in meaningful conversations. Another condition called Asperger's Syndrome has similar effects to autism in this regard. Asperger's Syndrome is named after the man who discovered the disorder, Hans Asperger, who was an Austrian pediatrician. This condition is generally diagnosed later than autism, and it primarily affects social skills. People with Asperger's Syndrome typically have average to above average cognitive abilities. Some difficulties understanding language are present in these individuals too. Understanding sarcasm, figures of speech, and other abstract concepts in language can be difficult for them.

Social skills are difficult for individuals with autism, and Asperger's Syndrome because they do not pick up on nonverbal cues or other signs to regulate their activity. For instance, most people with autism would not realize that they are talking too loudly, or too softly, or that they are too close to your face when speaking to you. Other problems that are common more specifically in autism are aggression, tantrums, pica, which is a disorder that involves the eating and mouthing of inedible objects, and self injurious behaviors. Aggression and tantrums generally go together, with the tantrum being one way that aggression manifests. Aggression can also involve biting, hitting, and destroying property.

Pica is more common in younger individuals, and those with lower cognitive abilities. It can be dangerous due to the fact that individuals with autism are not generally aware of choking hazards or poisonous materials. As far as self injurious behaviors, common ones include head banging, biting, pinching, eye gouging, smacking, and hair pulling, which if severe enough that the individual pulls out his or her hair is called trichotillomania. Some individuals may have to wear a helmet to protect themselves from severe injuries.

In addition to the social and language problems, there are many biological problems that coexist with autism as well. The most common are mental impairment, gastrointestinal problems such as gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, yeast overgrowth, which is typically noticeable around the mouth or on the buttocks, allergies, and food sensitivities. It is not fully understood why these conditions are common in individuals with autism.

Keep in mind that autism affects many aspects of the lives of the individual and the family. Safety is a large concern due to individuals with autism not understanding risks and dangers. Running out into traffic, leaving with strangers, eating inedible items, and banging on glass windows are all common things individuals with autism may do without understanding the danger these activities place them in. At this time there is no cure for autism. However, many therapies can improve the symptoms of the disorder.

About the Author: ProfessorNow.com™ offers free educational courses in an easy to follow format ranging from academic to non-academic subjects. To view a free online course covering the subject of this article, please visit http://www.ProfessorNow.com

Autistic Residential Schools vs Day Schools

It's difficult for any parent to get used to the idea of sending their children away to school, and perhaps even harder for parents of special needs children, such as those who suffer from autism, to do so. Is your child getting a good education? Are other children treating him or her fairly? Will your child enjoy this new situation? Many schools are now set in place to put these fears to rest by solely devoting their attention towards special needs children, and the concept of sending an autistic child to residential school for autistic children instead of a day school program is becoming more popular among parents. Although it may be difficult to adjust to your child living away from home, this may be where the best care and education is available for you child, so carefully consider the advantages before dismissing the idea of residential school for your autistic child.

Residential school programs are often no different than day school programs, but here the student has the opportunity to interact with others outside of a classroom setting. This is sometimes exactly what an autistic child needs to learn socialization skills with people outside of the family.

These schools are also very safe and organized in a way that is conducive to learning. For example, Franklin Academy in Connecticut, which specializes in teaching non-verbal students, has a three to one student to teacher ratio and an average class size of six students. They also plan small-group field trips to public places, so your child has an opportunity to interact in public places.

This is as opposed to day schools, which typically have larger class sizes and therefore cannot handle public outings. Even if the day school specializes in teaching autistic children, they simply may not have the resources and time during the school day for field trips.

Another advantage over day schools, whether public of private, is the living aspect. Although the students who attend these schools are greatly supervised, they learn living skills that they will need in an adult world. Whereas you may feel obligated or want to do things for your child at home, at a residential school, your child will be encouraged to live more independently. At Brehm Preparatory School in Illinois, students learn time and money management and are in charge of simple home maintenance (chores), study time, and recreational activities. Here also, the emphasis is on family.

Family is an important thing to consider with any type of residential school. While your child is learning valuable social skills, he or she may become more distant from his or her immediate family. At schools like Brehm, including Hampshire Country School in New Hampshire, have parents' weekend often to so parents can visit their children. Consider also the stress this may relieve for you and your family. Since you will need to spend less time helping your autistic child with learning everyday life skills, you can devote more time to enjoying their company when you see them. Spend time on your marriage and with your other children, activities that would normally be hard to achieve or ignored with an autistic child at home.

However, it is important to note that residential schooling is not for everyone. Typically, your child needs to be high functioning to handle this school atmosphere. You will need to consider cost, since tuition , room, and board for residential schools can be quite expensive. Remember, residential school is not for everyone, but you should definitely consider the option. Research this type of program so that you can make the best decisions possible for your child's education.

Grab your copy of Rachel Evans' free Autism newsletter overflowing with ideas about which teaching strategy for a child with autism is best. Plus, more information on autism education. Sign up at http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com

Autism Symptoms Checklist

Children suffering from Autism may not display all of the signs and symptoms in this Autism Symptoms Checklist,because they are all individuals. However if you suspect your child is showing any signs of Autism you should seek medical advice.Early signs of autism are usually diagnosed when the child is three years of age. However early signs can be detected. There is a great deal of research taking place at the moment into trying to diagnose Autism earlier in a child's development.the earlier signs of Autism are detected the sooner they can be treated.

CHECKLIST

1. Can I have eye to eye contact with my child. Most children with autism do not have eye to eye contact and tend to stare fixidely at one object.
2. Is my child interested in things around. A child with autism does not point at things or try to bring things to the attention of his/her parents.
3. Is my child deaf. Quite often these children will ignore people around and will not respond to their name .Thus giving the impression they are deaf.
4. Can my child communicate as well as other children the same age. An autistic child can have little or no verbal skills and does not try to overcome this by using mime or pointing at things.
5. Why does my child never smile. The autistic child does not smile or react to someone who smiles at them.
6. Why does my child scream for no reason. Another common sign of autism is when the child has wild tantrums for no apparent reason.
7. My child has no friends.There is little or no interaction with autism. The autistic child prefers to play alone.

There are many different signs and symptoms for autism. The above Autism Symptoms checklist is only a guide. Other signs and symptoms to look for are destructiveness,impulsive behaviour,mood swings,lack of attention restlessness,hyperactivity and fogetfulness.

Art Therapy for High Functioning Autism How to Get Started

People who have high functioning autism can be taught at an early age to express themselves through different forms of therapy. In order to lead relatively normal lives, a high functioning autistic requires a certain level of social skills. The development of these skills can be accomplished through a number of therapies including play therapy, social skilled classes or groups, psychotherapy, social stories and expressive therapies.

One expressive therapy that has proven to be quite beneficial is art therapy. Art therapy can help an autistic develop social response by allowing them to express their emotions through art. This form of complimentary therapy may be an ideal way for an autistic to develop social skills.

What is art therapy? It is a therapy that involves using a number of various art materials such as paints, batik (a way to dye fabric), clay, etc. as a method of expressing thoughts or feelings through visual representation. Art therapy is based on psychological research and theory that art is naturally therapeutic. This therapy takes into account the behaviors, thoughts and feelings experienced by those with high functioning autism and other disorders. Art therapy allows an individual to explore various issues including those that involve family, relationships, life change, loss, abuse and overall development. It may be carried out as a group process or individual counsel. The artwork that is created during therapy may be of spontaneous creations or based on suggestion provided by a therapist. What are the benefits of art therapy? Art therapy has many benefits, especially for an autistic because it doesn't rely on verbal or language skills, is a fun activity, and does not require any art skill or experience. The following is a list of other benefits -

• Increases self awareness
• Develops social skills
• Changes behaviors
• Develops problem solving strategies
• Allows an individual to engage in creative thinking in a safe environment
• Allows an individual to focus solely on the activity at hand and shut out other thoughts that may be intrusive.

Keep in mind that all of the above positive outcomes of art therapy may not be experienced by someone with high functioning autism. Remember, not every autistic functions the same.

Where can I find and art therapist and what should I look for? If an individual with high functioning autism is interested in art therapy, an art therapist will need to be sought out. An art therapist can practice in a number of environments, but can usually be found in psychiatric or general hospitals. They may work in oncology or geriatric wards, schools, rehabilitation centers, and counseling centers. The best way for you to find an art therapist locally, is to speak to your child's health care provider or call your hospital.

When choosing a therapist, keep the following in mind:
• Find out about their education background and where they received training
• Find out if they have previous experience with high functioning autism patients
• Ask what types of therapeutic approach do they use
• Ask what to expect during a lesson

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans' brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family find out about autism characteristics and for information on autism group support please visit The Essential Guide To Autism.

Spare The Rod - Disciplining Autistic Children Effectively

Choosing the method in which you decide to discipline your autistic child can be one of the most heart-wrenching and difficult decisions you can make. Since so many autistic children act out in a violent way, it is very difficult for many parents to not make the logical leap to spanking.

While there is no consensus whatsoever on the proper way to discipline an autistic child, one important point comes up again and again when researching the different methods and that is making sure the child understands that the punishment is a direct result of his/her actions.

Whichever method you choose, it's best not to wait a long period of time between the punishable act and the punishment itself. Here are some other points to consider when it comes to discipline and an autistic child.

• Have a sliding scale of discipline. Don't rely on an old standby like sending the child to their room for every form of punishment. You must have an increasingly severe punishment scale to fit the behaviour.

• Consistency is key for the child to connect his behaviour to the punishment. Make sure that mom and dad or anyone else that may be in a position to discipline the autistic child follows the same template and uses the same scolding technique. As parents of any autistic child know, repetition is very important and so is routine. If the same punishment is administered for the same bad behaviour, it increases the chances for comprehension immensely.

• Spanking is extremely controversial. There are proponents that were raised by parents who spanked and are determined to raise their children the same way, autism or no autism. It is my opinion that, at least for autistic children, spanking is not the way to go.

If you look at the previous point about repetition, this would have to apply in all situations for it to work properly, including public situations. I don't think anyone wants to be seen in a public place spanking their autistic child; you would rightly expect a visit from child services the next day. Also, autistic children, even more so than regular children, are a sponge to events going on around them. If they see you hit and it is deemed acceptable behaviour, don't be surprised to see an surge in your autistic child's violence level. A non-autistic child has a much easier time understanding "do as I say, not as I do" when it comes to hitting.

• Finally, don't give up hope with discipline if the first few methods you choose don't work. One of the mantras you learn early on as a parent of an autistic child is that each and every child with autism is different. He or she may end up responding to unorthodox or unlikely forms of discipline that no non-autistic child would. Keep searching for the method that best suits you and your child and try not to get discouraged.

Dealing with discipline and autism can be one of the most difficult dilemmas a parent can face. But with patience and trial and error, you will find a happy medium that will work for both you and your child.

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans's free Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover a better understanding of autism with more information on autism treatment tips. You can visit Rachel's blog at http://www.the-essential-guide-to-autism.com/blog.

What are the Different Forms of Autisim

There are many different types of autism, and just as with many things you can't just group all Autistic people into one category. Autisim range of symptoms covers a very large field. It will include autistics who are very near to being dysfunctional and appear to be mentally retarded, to the autistic who shows very mild symptoms, or who has received therapy to control their autistic traits to the point of appearing to be normal to the average person.

Autistic persons will be often categorized between those who have an IQ of less than 80 being categorized as having what is called "low-functioning autism", while the autistic person who's IQ is higher than 80 are categorized as having what would be called "high-functioning autism". This method of categorization is not usually accepted or used by medical professionals when dealing with the autistic person. Normally the terms high or low high functioning autism are used to describe the level at which the autistic person can perform the daily activities that are a part of living, and related to their IQ level. Within the Autistic community the use of the labels, high functioning autism, and low functioning autism, are seen to be highly controversial by many autistics.

Many service providers who serve the autistic community still rely to heavily on a person's IQ, with the ability to function on a daily basis may not work with autistic people who test at a high IQ level, or in the case of a person with a low IQ level fail to acknowledge the potential of many of the autistic people who are diagnosed as having low functioning autism. With all the information about autism which is available it is hard to believe, but some within the medical profession still will not recognize autistics who can write or speak as suffering from autism at all.

This all leads to many with high functioning autism, as well as the autistic person who has a fairly normal IQ, being left undiagnosed. This furthers the idea that autism automatically implies mental retardation. Even having said this it should be noted that the number of diagnoses for high functioning autism are now showing a sharper rise, than those for low functioning autism. One reason for this may be due to better diagnostic testing for autism.

Asperger's Syndrome and Kanner's Syndrome

In the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders the biggest difference when comparing Autistic Disorder (Kanner's) and Asperger's Syndrome would be that a Autistic Disorder will include; observed delays or even abnormal levels in at least one and maybe more of the following areas, normally the onset of symptoms of autism will be before the age 3 years old: The first would be in the area of social interaction, second would be problems with language as used in social settings, or the third area would be in symbolic or imaginative play that would not be considered to be a normal level for the average child. While in Asperger's Syndrome there would only be a slight, to no observed delay noticed.

While the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not really include levels of intellectual function for the diagnosing of Asperger's Syndrome, it is a proven statistical fact that those person's who do have Asperger's Syndrome will as a general rule will tend to out perform those autistics with Kanner's Autisim or Low Functioning Autisim this has led to a popular idea that Asperger's Syndrome can be thought of as being synonymous with high functioning autism, or that it could be considered as a totally separate disorder from autism. A popular belief is that those autistic individuals who have a higher level of intellectual function do in fact actually have Asperger's Syndrome.

Autisim as a spectrum disorder Autisim disorders also come under the heading of autistic spectrum disorders. A closely related disorder would be, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, which would involve just how well a person is able to use the information that they receive from their senses. Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Autism, as well as Asperger's Syndrome, have been found to be closely related and in many cases have been found to overlap each other.

While still subject to much debate, there are some people who believe that there might be two separate scenarios for the timeline for the onset of regular autism, these would be early infantile autism and regressive autism. Early infantile autism would be present at the time of childbirth, and regressive autism would begin between the ages of 18 months and 36 months.

Kevin Caldbeck is the owner and publisher of several websites dealing strictly with Health Issues Todays Families are Facing. For more information about autism and the autistic community be sure to check out the resources available for you at http://www.answers-about-autism.info or http://www.better-your-health.com

Vitamins For Autism Diet

You may have heard that including certain vitamins for an autism diet can help your autistic kid focus better. These can be of help even while you have already eliminated casein or gluten from his or her diet. A deficiency in specific vitamins can bring about a body or brain malfunction.

According to scientific studies, the most useful vitamin in the autism diet is vitamin B6. Since 1965, there have been 18 major studies on the uses of vitamin B6 to fight autism. In 8 of those studies, children with abnormalities in their urine, after taking B6 and magnesium, had normal urine.

Also, B6, when taken with magnesium and other B vitamins, has been shown to help autistic children with better mental focus and more awareness about their surrounding social environment. It may sound a little dramatic but it is reported that some children, after taking vitamins and supplements, even spoke for the first time. If you have a child that has a speech delay, then this can be hopeful news for you. If you would like to give your child vitamin B6, be sure to also include magnesium supplements for his autism diet. The reason for that is that vitamin B6 causes a magnesium deficiency in the body.

Vitamin C is another vitamin that you should consider for the autism diet. Just about any person, whether autistic or not, should not have a vitamin C deficiency. A lack of Vitamin C can result in confusion and disorientation. Hence, it goes to show that that vitamin C has a major effect on how a person's brain functions. While there have not been very many studies on how vitamin C affects autism, the few that there have been have been successful. Most of the children tested showed similar results to the B6. After a period of taking Vitamin C, these children started paying attention to their surroundings and being more interactive with others.

There are also a number of other herbs, vitamins and supplements that you can include in the autism diet for your child. Some of the most common are folic acid, St. John's wort and Ginko Biloba. While no single item has a major positive effect on its own, studies do show that several vitamins and supplements working together produce excellent results.

Do consult your child's pediatrician about adding vitamins for autism diet. You would need to monitor your child's progress just to check if he did benefit from these vitamins. Also, let the teachers in school know or any child care involved know about his special autism diet. That way, everyone can help you track your child's development and improvement in social behavior if any.

Sandra Kim Leong shares about autism diet and other therapies for children with learning disabilities. She draws on her experience as a mother to an autistic child. To read her posts, please visit http://www.autismdietplan.com

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