What is autism.?
I know what autism is, but I have a horrible understanding of it. Is it genetic, is it birth defect, is it brain damage, what is it? My 19 month old nephew was just diagnosed with it and I want to know what is going on with him.
Answers:
There are so many different kinds of autism and most are not as bad as people may realize. Its usually not like rain man or anything. And more often than not the children do talk and communicate very well. Its basically an auto-immune disease and can be caused by many things, not genetics however. One of the most common causes for autism is immunizations. Unfortunately most people give them to their babies so they think they were born with it when, often, that is not the case. Children can grow to have normal lives, they usually just need a little more attention and help with making good decisions. My father is a naturalpath and has spent a lot of time helping people whose kids are autistic. There is help and its not as helpless as it can seem. Most autistic kids also have at least one very well developed talent.
autism is when a person is in their own world and do not realize what is happening in the real world. they may do wierd things lik bang a desk, but that is what they arfe doing in their own world. my teacher told us because we had to do community service as a class. but i did not get kids with autism. i got elderly with alzheimers
Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior.
Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers. While there is disagreement about the magnitude, nature, and mechanisms for such environmental factors, researchers have found seven genes prevalent among individuals diagnosed as autistic. Some estimate that autism occurs in as many as one child in 166 in the United States. However, the National Institute of Mental Health gives a more conservative estimate of one in 1000[1]. A study published in 2006 indicates that men over 40 are almost six times more likely to father a child with autism than younger men[2]. Although autism is about 3 to 4 times more common in boys, girls with the disorder tend to have more severe symptoms and greater cognitive impairment. Diagnosis is based on a list of psychiatric criteria, and a series of standardized clinical tests may also be used.
Autism may not be physiologically obvious. A complete physical and neurological evaluation will typically be part of diagnosing autism. Some now speculate that autism is not a single condition but a group of several distinct conditions that manifest in similar ways. Recently, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a link between autism, abnormal blood vessel function and oxidative stress (the result of higher levels of free radicals). The study suggests that, if researchers can find more evidence linking decreased blood flow to the brain and oxidative stress with the pathology of autism, improvements in therapy could be found[3].
By definition, autism must manifest delays in "social interaction, language as used in social communication, or symbolic or imaginative play," with "onset prior to age 3 years", according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The ICD-10 also requires symptoms to be "manifest before the age of three years." There have been large increases in the reported incidence of autism, for reasons that are heavily debated by researchers in psychology and related fields within the scientific community.
With intense therapy and practice and schooling, some children diagnosed with autism can improve their social and other skills to the point where they can fully participate in mainstream education and social events, but there are no indications that a cure from autism is possible with current technology or advances in medicine. Some autistic children and adults who are able to communicate (at least in writing) are opposed to attempts to cure their autism, because they (and/or the guardians) see autism as part of who they are.
1st- there is genetic autism, fragile X which is a chromozone that can pass autism . My son however did not have this chromozone and a lot of other children with autism do not have this chromozone. However it is one way to get Autism, it is possible a birth defect or possible brain damage. It is still unknown what causes Autism. These children could be born with it or at around the age of 1 to 2 something in the enviroment, maybe their shots could cause brain damage to induce Autism. This is still unknown. I personally am not sure. My son got worse around 14 months. He had normal words at about 11 months and lost them at 14 months. However looking back from the time he was born. There where stange things like he didn't babble much as a baby and He didn't coo either. He never seemed to notice is brother until here resently being almost 3. He NEVER said mama or dada or tried to say his brothers name. He was more intrested (when he did talk) it saying non functional things like dog, kitty cat, words that seem to be more for him than trying to communicate.
2nd- 19 months is a young age to be diagnoised with Autism. It makes me wonder whether or not he was tested for fragile X and they found it. Or how severe his case is. Ohio has a been known to diagnois early. which don't get me wrong is great.
3rd- something that may be helpful for the parents of your nephew is getting that child enrolled in a early intervention program that is in your state. It is free and a Wonderful wonderful great awesome I love it program. It helped my son so much I don't know where he would have been without it mostly because I had no idea how to work with him. If your nephew is enrolled it this program it would be great for you to see if you could set in the room for one of his therapies and watch. It will teach you ways to work with your nephew while having fun. Also it will help you understand more of how the Autisic brain works. The therapy is benefical for the whole family to be apart of.
4th- AND MOST IMPORTANT be very supportive to the family maybe offer to give the mom a break while you could come play with your nephew and let the mother or main caregiver play the computer or watch t.v. or do something fun for themselves. You can just watch the child in their home while they are there even. that is very supportive and you have no idea how much that can help. It is hard to trust anyone with a child that doesn't speak and may have behavior problems. this is going to be a long journey for the parents and you sound like you really want to help. Also try not to push your advice to much on the parents. One thing that has bothered me is my in laws have said things like oh it will go away or don't tell anyone he has autism it will label him for life. That is very hurtful. Autism DOES NOT go away, saying this to the family to try to give hope does the opposite. And the label only helps him by giving him services.
5th- Autism for my son, is food adversion, drink adversion, he has suffered with anemia most of his life. In other words very very picky. Children with autism have a probelm with how food looks or feels in their mouths. Also autism is stemming, for my son it could be arm flapping or watching sand or water fall or any thing else, he loves to watch things fall. Also no concept of fear. My son has a high tolerance to pain he has been known to pull his hair out. Eye contact, where this will improve generally with therapy it will always be a struggle. I really don't think it is in my sons nature to watch people. He never has. Communication, this has been our biggest struggle. If the child doesn't speak which was my son till resently sign language is one or PECS (picture exchange) is another way to open the door to communication.
You can email me if you have anymore questions Leahb1979@yahoo
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