Autism...What do you know about it?

[Mamabelle]

What do you know about it? Do you know anyone with autism? Have any of you experienced any form of autism? If not I would like to help you all learn what autism is. For I have first hand experience with that disability. Yes it is a disability. But not the kind that people who still use that horrible word think it is. It is not retardation. Bill Gates is autistic, and so was Albert Einstein. Let me introduce you to the world of Autism.

What is Autism

Taken from www.definitionofautism.com

Autism is defined by the Autism Society Of America (ASA) as: "Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Research indicates the following symptoms are the most commonly found characteristics of Autism:

The child is unable to coo by 12 months.
The child also does not point or gesture by 12 months.
The child does not say single words by 16 months.
The child does not say 2 or more words by 24 months.
Has lost some of social skills or language abilities.

Other Characteristics include:
No fear of danger.
Over or under sensitivity to pain.
May avoid eye contact with you.
May prefer to be by him/herself.
Has difficulty expressing what they want or need - may then try to use gestures.
May echo words or phrases.
May have inappropriate attachments to objects.
May spin his/herself or objects.
Prolonged repetitive play.
May insist on things/routines always being the same.
May exhibit inappropriate laughing (laughing when not appropriate to the situation).
May display tantrums for no apparent reason.
May avoid cuddling.
May exhibit self injurious behavior when upset i.e. biting selves or banging heads.
An overall difficulty interacting with others.





















Most signs or characteristics of Autism are evident in the areas of speech or communication (verbal and non-verbal). Many of the signs or symptoms of Autism begin presenting themselves between 2 and 6 years of age.


CAUSES OF AUTISM
The research indicates that the cause of Autism is likely biological, but this may not be the only cause. Evidence has shown that 1 in 3 people diagnosed with Autism have had around 1-2 epileptic seizures by the time they reach adulthood. Also, Autism tends to run in families, pointing to a possible genetic cause. And autopsies of the brain have shown deficits in various parts of the brain (i.e. cerebellum, frontal lobes, brain stem). Scientists have also found abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as Serotonin.


TYPES OF AUTISM
These are the most common disorders, all presenting in a somewhat similar manner, but having slight variations:
Autistic Disorder - As stated above, and defined by the Autism Society of America (ASA): "Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development."

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (P.D.D) - Also called "Atypical Autism." Children with this disorder have many of the same characteristics of Autism, but not all the criteria associated with Autism.

Asperger's Disorder - Children with this disorder do not have the usual language barriers associated with Autism and are generally very intelligent. However, they do tend to struggle with social interactions, and can fixate on a particular object or subject they take an interest in, and talk about it constantly.

Retts Disorder - Retts is rather similar to Autism, but presents only in girls. The children begin to develop on target, but then begin losing some communication abilities. The symptoms of Retts can begin to occur between ages 1 and 4. AUTISM OVER TIME
The symptoms of Autism tend to lessen as people grow older. Or, perhaps the symptoms may present in different forms. For example, children diagnosed with Autism during their early childhood years may exhibit different problems once they reach their teen years ie. depression or other behavioral problems. Other children with Autism may show very few symptoms of it when they reach their teen and adult years. Therefore, treatments may need to be changeable over time, depending on the individual.

AUTISM TREATMENTS
Currently there is no known cure for Autism. The disorder is treated by working to change the symptoms of Autism ie. helping to improve the person's ability to communicate and cope with the symptoms and deal with the repetitive behaviors.

[Mamabelle]

I know two kids who are mildly autistic. They are my sons, ages 7 and 5. And if any of you read this, and then meet them, you would never know. My kids has autism mildly. The oldest was evaluated as mild PDD. They both get speech and occupational therapy. They both are doing very well in the academic part of their education. My oldest has come extremely far when it came to socializing and transitioning from one class to the next. He is even going to be reevaluated to see if he still needs the services. Being a part of their world has made me so intuned to children and their feelings, and not only to children, but to adults as well. Please, I beg of you, please read and understand what autism it. I am lucky that their autism was and is not severe, but I have come to appreciate these wonderful children for who they are. God gave me autistic kids because he knows I will never abandon them....Please friends, please read and understand what autism is....I thank you.

[Poser]

Doctors and scientists are still working to understand autism ......

[mammadon]

I've heard of it.

[Mamabelle]

Doctors and scientists are still working to understand autism ......

Yes that is so true Poser...i hope they do...these children suffer so much, and us parents suffer too.

[letric]

I know two kids who are mildly autistic. They are my sons, ages 7 and 5. And if any of you read this, and then meet them, you would never know. My kids has autism mildly. The oldest was evaluated as mild PDD. They both get speech and occupational therapy. They both are doing very well in the academic part of their education. My oldest has come extremely far when it came to socializing and transitioning from one class to the next. He is even going to be reevaluated to see if he still needs the services. Being a part of their world has made me so intuned to children and their feelings, and not only to children, but to adults as well. Please, I beg of you, please read and understand what autism it. I am lucky that their autism was and is not severe, but I have come to appreciate these wonderful children for who they are. God gave me autistic kids because he knows I will never abandon them....Please friends, please read and understand what autism is....I thank you.

We work closely with Autistic children and adults, have discovered the reactions to be tremedously rewarding.

[Mamabelle]

letric are u on fb? i would love to chat with you some more on this...

[letric]

letric are u on fb? i would love to chat with you some more on this...

Mamabelle, unfortunately am not on face book, however, we should be able to chat on Internet. PM me ...

[letric]

Mamabelle, unfortunately am not on face book, however, we should be able to chat on Internet. PM me ...

AFTER more than a year of planning, a branch of National Autistic Society was set up.

Clare Greaves, whose son, Joseph has the condition, was asked to take up the role by the society as she was one of the most active fund-raisers in the town, and she set about doing this at the end of last year. She officially launched the branch at Worthing, West Sussex, and already has 120 families signed up as members. Clare, 35 said "The aim is we want to be a support group for the parents and children, and it's a way of making friendships.

"You can feel quite alone as a parent of an autistic child. When you get diagnosed, all your friends have children without autism, and you can feel left out because your child is doing different things to other children. We found there isn't much support for you, and this way parents can come along and get advice and they know we've all been through the same thing."

Joseph, eight, was diagnosed with autism when he was two and since then Clare and her family have done various fund-raising events for the charity.

Every year, they organise a sponsored Train Walk along Worthing sea front, as well as other events. The NAS branch in Worthing will be an extension of that work, while also providing support and friendship.

Autism is categorised as a life long development disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to, other people and the world around them.

It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain areas of difficulty, their condition will affect them in different ways. Asperger syndrome is also a form of autism.

She said, "With the cinema club you do not have to worry if the children talk or make noise, which makes it more relaxing. As for the Lego, I don't know a child the doesn't like Lego, and autistic child especially seem to like it. By having the club the children can still feel like they belong to a group and get a chance to play with other children"..

Katarina Hutchings, said, the new branch can only be a good thing, to raise awareness about what autism is.

Her six-year old son, Danko, has autism and she is now on the committee after meeting Clare three years ago on one of the Train Walks."

"There are still not many people who know what autism is, because it is an invisible disability. My son is quite high functioning, and he looks the same as other children, so it's only when we go to packed areas and he can't cope with the noise that we have to explain to people he is like that because of autism.

Some know what it is, and others don't, but it's difficult for people to pinpoint what it looks like because no two children with autism are the same.

Debbie, 44, said, "We want to try and get together as much as we possibly cabin, and I know there is a plan for summer fun already. If parents talk to each other, they might be able to give each other helpful tips, and it's just sharing that kind of information that makes you feel like you're not alone. We can share information about getting children in to schools and other things".
by
Katherine Hollisey-McLean
katherine.hollis@worthingherald.co.uk

It is not easy to speak on autism to others who do not have the experience of the disability, however, with the advancement of science, one can only hope there will be a cure.

[letric]

AFTER more than a year of planning, a branch of National Autistic Society was set up.

Clare Greaves, whose son, Joseph has the condition, was asked to take up the role by the society as she was one of the most active fund-raisers in the town, and she set about doing this at the end of last year. She officially launched the branch at Worthing, West Sussex, and already has 120 families signed up as members. Clare, 35 said "The aim is we want to be a support group for the parents and children, and it's a way of making friendships.

"You can feel quite alone as a parent of an autistic child. When you get diagnosed, all your friends have children without autism, and you can feel left out because your child is doing different things to other children. We found there isn't much support for you, and this way parents can come along and get advice and they know we've all been through the same thing."

Joseph, eight, was diagnosed with autism when he was two and since then Clare and her family have done various fund-raising events for the charity.

Every year, they organise a sponsored Train Walk along Worthing sea front, as well as other events. The NAS branch in Worthing will be an extension of that work, while also providing support and friendship.

Autism is categorised as a life long development disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to, other people and the world around them.

It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain areas of difficulty, their condition will affect them in different ways. Asperger syndrome is also a form of autism.

She said, "With the cinema club you do not have to worry if the children talk or make noise, which makes it more relaxing. As for the Lego, I don't know a child that doesn't like Lego, and autistic child especially seem to like it. By having the club the children can still feel like they belong to a group and get a chance to play with other children"..

Katarina Hutchings, said, the new branch can only be a good thing, to raise awareness about what autism is.

Her six-year old son, Danko, has autism and she is now on the committee after meeting Clare three years ago on one of the Train Walks."

"There are still not many people who know what autism is, because it is an invisible disability. My son is quite high functioning, and he looks the same as other children, so it's only when we go to packed areas and he can't cope with the noise that we have to explain to people he is like that because of autism.

Some know what it is, and others don't, but it's difficult for people to pinpoint what it looks like because no two children with autism are the same.

Debbie, 44, said, "We want to try and get together as much as we possibly can, and I know there is a plan for summer fun already. If parents talk to each other, they might be able to give each other helpful tips, and it's just sharing that kind of information that makes you feel like you're not alone. We can share information about getting children into schools and other things".

"There is not much help from the hospital and everyone here can give help because they've done it before."

by
Katherine Hollisey-McLean
katherine.hollis@worthingherald.co.uk

It is not easy to speak on autism to others who do not have the experience of the disability, however, with the advancement of science, one can only hope there will be a cure.

For more information about NAS email worthing@nas.org.uk

[lexbarker]

A few years ago I read a report that vaccinations could be a possible cause of autism.
Youtube has some articles on it.

[letric]

A few years ago I read a report that vaccinations could be a possible cause of autism.
Youtube has some articles on it.

Interesting, but debatable ...

[Falcon]

Highly debatable...

Increasingly, chimpanzee babies that have been reared in homes and 'humanised' are showing increased incidences of autism.
This may be a big hint.......

[lexbarker]

Highly debatable...

Increasingly, chimpanzee babies that have been reared in homes and 'humanised' are showing increased incidences of autism.
This may be a big hint.......

Did these humanised chimps had their vaccinations?

From highly debatable to debatable to hmmm.......

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/107993.php

[Falcon]

"The full implications of this primate study await publication of the research in a scientific journal,"

The news article is 2008. The study must have been peer-reviewed and published by now?

1. Mercury preservatives vs other adjuvants
2. Macaques, and apes, won't necessarily be good models for human diseases or vaccine responses
3. Primates in captivity (non-humanised) don't show the same autism like behaviour despite receiving similar vaccines

[lexbarker]

Could you imagine the amount of liabilities those pharmaceuticals would have if the official findings point towards the vaccine?

[lexbarker]

There were some conpensation going out without the admittance of the cause.

83 Cases of Autism Associated with Childhood Vaccine Injury Compensated in Federal Vaccine Court (5/10/11)


http://www.safeminds.org/news/vaccin...mpensated.html

[kayt]

I've met some children who are on the autism spectrum. There were those who couldn't talk or interact with others in any way that I recognise. Others do but do some things differently. Then there's the ones who are high functioning and would be classed as Aspergers, they're the sorts that get stereo typed as extra smart nerds/geeks who aren't streetwise or absent minded professor types. They say Einstein may have had aspergers.

One of my nephews is like that. He's a smarty pants and he when he loves a tv program he'll watch it over and over again. When he was 8 they said he was as interlectually on the same level as someone twice his age. I caught him watching cookery shows, black and white version of Perry Mason, Antiques Road show etc when he wasn't even 5 years old as yet. I got him a chess set years ago and we showed him the rules, by the second game he was beating us adults. I don't play chess with him anymore. He'll be ready to choose to go to unversity in a year or so and he's just 14.

[letric]

Theory that children can 'recover' from autism proves controversial ...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...sts-study.html

[simplecandice]

What do you know about it? Do you know anyone with autism? Have any of you experienced any form of autism? If not I would like to help you all learn what autism is. For I have first hand experience with that disability. Yes it is a disability. But not the kind that people who still use that horrible word think it is. It is not retardation. Bill Gates is autistic, and so was Albert Einstein. Let me introduce you to the world of Autism.

What is Autism

Taken from www.definitionofautism.com

Autism is defined by the Autism Society Of America (ASA) as: "Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Research indicates the following symptoms are the most commonly found characteristics of Autism:

The child is unable to coo by 12 months.
The child also does not point or gesture by 12 months.
The child does not say single words by 16 months.
The child does not say 2 or more words by 24 months.
Has lost some of social skills or language abilities.

Other Characteristics include:
No fear of danger.
Over or under sensitivity to pain.
May avoid eye contact with you.
May prefer to be by him/herself.
Has difficulty expressing what they want or need - may then try to use gestures.
May echo words or phrases.
May have inappropriate attachments to objects.
May spin his/herself or objects.
Prolonged repetitive play.
May insist on things/routines always being the same.
May exhibit inappropriate laughing (laughing when not appropriate to the situation).
May display tantrums for no apparent reason.
May avoid cuddling.
May exhibit self injurious behavior when upset i.e. biting selves or banging heads.
An overall difficulty interacting with others.





















Most signs or characteristics of Autism are evident in the areas of speech or communication (verbal and non-verbal). Many of the signs or symptoms of Autism begin presenting themselves between 2 and 6 years of age.


CAUSES OF AUTISM
The research indicates that the cause of Autism is likely biological, but this may not be the only cause. Evidence has shown that 1 in 3 people diagnosed with Autism have had around 1-2 epileptic seizures by the time they reach adulthood. Also, Autism tends to run in families, pointing to a possible genetic cause. And autopsies of the brain have shown deficits in various parts of the brain (i.e. cerebellum, frontal lobes, brain stem). Scientists have also found abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as Serotonin.


TYPES OF AUTISM
These are the most common disorders, all presenting in a somewhat similar manner, but having slight variations:
Autistic Disorder - As stated above, and defined by the Autism Society of America (ASA): "Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development."

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (P.D.D) - Also called "Atypical Autism." Children with this disorder have many of the same characteristics of Autism, but not all the criteria associated with Autism.

Asperger's Disorder - Children with this disorder do not have the usual language barriers associated with Autism and are generally very intelligent. However, they do tend to struggle with social interactions, and can fixate on a particular object or subject they take an interest in, and talk about it constantly.

Retts Disorder - Retts is rather similar to Autism, but presents only in girls. The children begin to develop on target, but then begin losing some communication abilities. The symptoms of Retts can begin to occur between ages 1 and 4. AUTISM OVER TIME
The symptoms of Autism tend to lessen as people grow older. Or, perhaps the symptoms may present in different forms. For example, children diagnosed with Autism during their early childhood years may exhibit different problems once they reach their teen years ie. depression or other behavioral problems. Other children with Autism may show very few symptoms of it when they reach their teen and adult years. Therefore, treatments may need to be changeable over time, depending on the individual.

AUTISM TREATMENTS
Currently there is no known cure for Autism. The disorder is treated by working to change the symptoms of Autism ie. helping to improve the person's ability to communicate and cope with the symptoms and deal with the repetitive behaviors.

I know quite a lot and I have worked with autistic children and adults.

[letric]

Some children do grow out of autism ...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...ansformed.html

[Chicabonita]

Some children do grow out of autism ...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...ansformed.html

Hmmmm I am not sure if I agree with that. Autism is a life long condition and I agree that great improvements can be achieved depending on the severity of the condition but just because someone may be very high functioning who almost displays no symptoms of autism doesn't mean they are not autistic. I don't know, there is a possibility of misdiagnosis and so many other reasons. Not sure. I think we need more research.

[letric]

Hmmmm I am not sure if I agree with that. Autism is a life long condition and I agree that great improvements can be achieved depending on the severity of the condition but just because someone may be very high functioning who almost displays no symptoms of autism doesn't mean they are not autistic. I don't know, there is a possibility of misdiagnosis and so many other reasons. Not sure. I think we need more research.

Definitely, yet let us have hope which is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier.

[Mailman]

An interesting recent observational study suggests that perhaps zinc deficiency alters genetic expression and is a contributory factor in some cases of autism.

http://www.nature.com/srep/2011/1111...srep00129.html

These findings suggest that infantile zinc deficiency may epigenetically contribute to the pathogenesis of autism and nutritional approach may yield a novel hope for its treatment and prevention.