Eliminating the Source: What Causes Autism

Many parents hope that in finding a source of autism, this disorder can be cured or prevented. Unfortunately, scientists have yet to find one single reason why children develop autism. It is possible that someday autism will be linked to a specific gene abnormality, but the more likely source is not one thing, but a number of factors in a child's world. Autism cannot be prevented or cured, so the best we can do to help autistic children and adults is be understanding and willing to compromise to make the world comfortable for them and ourselves.

First off, there are certain things that do not cause autism, and these myths should be laid to rest immediately. Most importantly, bad parenting does not cause autism. In the past, mothers were blamed for traumatizing their children with cold parenting techniques, which was thought to lead to autism. This is simple not true. Autism is also not caused by malnutrition, although food allergies occur in my autistic children and some autistic children do benefit from taking daily vitamins.

There are many links between autism and the brain. Most people with autism have larger brains and they are "wired" differently than a typical brain. Differences occur in many parts of the brain, so it cannot be targeted to one specific brain malfunction overall, but rather a brain malfunction in general. Autistic children also show signs of an immune deficiency. Evidence in this study is not yet strong, but research is still being done. Many autistic individuals have other health problems related to immune deficiencies. Overall, these things all seem to point to genetics. Although autism is not the parents' fault, it is most likely that autism was found elsewhere on your family tree, and it is not uncommon for parents to raise more than one autistic child. Autism may also be linked to vaccinations, although this is still being highly studied. The benefits of vaccinations greatly outweigh the risks of them causing autism, so you should not deprive your child simply because you are fearful. Talk to you doctor i f you have concerns about vaccinations.

Nobody knows what causes autism. Therefore, we can do nothing to prevent and cure it, but rather we can simply treat the autistic people in our lives with the best of our ability. Becoming educated in autism is the key-the more you know about the disorder, the better you can help individuals who suffer from it. Autism is a complex problem, and as researchers develop new understandings of the way it affects the body, better treatment options will become available, with the hope that someday we will be able to cure this disease.

The Connection between Asperger's Syndrome and Mental Illness

Hotly debated ever since being introduced into mainstream America, the connection between Asperger’s Syndrome and mental illness is a tenuous one; different psychiatrists and physicians have varying opinions not only with regard to the presentation of the various forms of mental illness but also whether they are caused by syndrome or simply exist coincidentally. On the other hand, the appearance of so many difference forms of mental illness does make a compelling case for an increased presentation of such ailments in individuals suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome concurrently.

Misdiagnosis of mental illness plays a huge role in these discussions. It has already been established that peer rejection of the Asperger’s Syndrome child will lead to a general distrust of peers and therefore a withdrawal from interactions. Clinical psychologists may misdiagnose this behavior as paranoia or paranoid psychosis, when it truly is little more than a self imposed defense mechanism against taunts and negative peer interactions. This of course is hard to prove and even harder to dispute.

In the same vein, the child with Asperger’s Syndrome whose primary hobby is a love of all things having to do with a bus may be diagnosed – mistakenly – as having delusions with respect to the immense of a bus stopping at a particular locale, when in reality he or she is simply reciting a bus schedule. Diagnosis of mental illness in conjunction with Asperger’s Syndrome should not be attempted until the full extent of the Asperger’s symptoms has been charted. On the other hand, there is a very fine line in Asperger’s patients where a preoccupation with an idea turns into wishful thinking. It is then that the rudiments of mental illness may well take hold.

Another condition that has given rise to much speculation is the repetitive nature of many movements and verbalizations of Asperger’s patients. It is most difficult to differentiate these from those brought on obsessive compulsive disorders. Withdrawal and introversion have been considered part and parcel of a depressive illness as well, but at times they are the simple protective mechanisms against a group of peers that would not readily accept the patient as a child. Once again, diagnosis cannot be reached conclusively unless a complete history of the illness and the patient’s life is available.

Quite possibly the best course of action is a watchfulness with respect to signs and symptoms of mental illness and consultation of a psychiatrist familiar with Asperger’s Syndrome and the workings of the disorder. Whenever possible, a copy of medical records should be provided as part of the interview. This might not completely prevent false diagnoses, but it will greatly curtail those mental illness claims that are not entirely grounded in clinical reality and are more an expression of a behavioral coping mechanism.

The latter are the workings of a sound mind seeking to protect itself and the body it inhabits from harm brought to it by peer groups, while actual mental illness does not usually have this kind of foundation and instead seems to be almost random.

How Autism is Diagnosed

The signs and levels of Autism vary in each child. This can make getting a diagnosis difficult. Children on the higher level of the Autism spectrum may go years without being diagnosed. There are may factors that go into an Autism diagnosis. We will go over some of the criteria being used to diagnose a child with Autism.

Doctors have a checklist that must be met before the possibility of Autism is suspected. Some of the signs on the checklist include, poor relationships with friends, focusing on one thing for very long periods of time, poor communications skills, and insisting on certain routines, or rituals. When these signs are shown in a child the doctor will want to evaluate the child further. The doctor will question the child's parents, or any other people that have close contact with the child. They may send home a form for you and the child's teacher to fill out. Once the doctor has the forms back they will compare the forms and look for similar results. If the results all are pointing to something being wrong further testing will be considered.

Children also develop at their own rate. So a parent having concerns about their child not reaching developmental milestones on time may question the doctor for further testing. The doctor will ask a series of questions to the parent. If the answers match the criteria for Autism the doctor will order further evaluations to be completed. Remember each child grows and matures at their own rate so they may just be a late bloomer.

There is not one test that can say definitely the child has Autism. It will require several appointments with different health professionals to rule out other conditions that could be causing the problems in your child. Often a child who is late to talk is suspected of having a hearing issue first. After this is checked then the doctor can move onto evaluating for Autism. Several health conditions can mimic the symptoms of Autism. Children always need to be evaluated for any other medical conditions that could cause the same symptoms as Autism first.

To receive an Autism diagnosis the child will be evaluated by a team of medical professionals. They will include the doctor, a psychologist, a speech therapist, a neurologist, and a psychiatrist. Once the child is evaluated by the team they will meet and compare their findings. Then they will have a meeting with the parents to discuss their findings . If the diagnosis of Autism is made a treatment plan will be set in place.

Each child will show different symptoms of Autism, and the levels they experience it will be different. So it may take longer to get a diagnoses of Autism in some children. Once you have the diagnoses the most important thing is to start a treatment plan. The treatment plan will help make the life of your Autistic child better. While there is no cure for Autism, the treatments available can help to lesson the symptoms.

Helping Your Child With Asperger's Syndrome Return To School

School is definitely a place for routines and changing situations making it something that can produce anxiety in a person with Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Some kids will start having difficulty in school during preschool and kindergarten with most of them experiencing some degree of difficulty by the time they have reached the upper elementary school grades. Parents and teachers can do many things to help schools kids with AS to improve coping mechanisms so that they have better school experiences.

Start off with having the parents initiate a "School-Year" routine several weeks before school starts this includes bedtimes and waking up times. This will also include morning routines like getting dressed as soon as they wake and eating breakfast before doing other activities.

It is important to implement homework routines that will be conducive to mastering skills. Provide a quiet place that is comfortable and promotes studying. Provide a desk, proper lighting (not florescent) a comfortable chair and plenty of tools and resources.

Come up with a plan to motivate your child to study such as activities or favorite items as a reward for studying such as being able to watch a favorite TV program, earning points that can be turned in for a toy, book or new piece of clothing.

Work with the school to initiate orientation activities such as visiting the school several times over the summer to get used to where classrooms are located, where the lunchroom is, restrooms, gym etc. Find out if it is possible for your child to meet his teachers before the start of school. Make sure if your child is walking to and from school that you practice enough times so that your child is confident in knowing the way to school and the way home. If the student is changing classes during the school day ask the school to provide a walk-through of the students classes before the start of school. Ask the school if they have a buddy system for students who need one the first few weeks of school. Make sure the child understands about changing classes and when it is appropriate to go to the restroom, to lunch, and how to see the school nurse if necessary.

Make sure that the school staff including teachers and support personnel that would have contact with the child with Asperger's Syndrome are educated regarding the syndrome and how the affects the child's ability to learn and communicate with others during the school day.

The parents should make room in their schedule especially at the start of school for meetings and phone calls to and from teachers and other staff as the child makes the transition from home to school.

During the summer make sure your child has the opportunity to socialize with both children and adults so that they can practice social skills needed in school.

What is it Like Having Asperger's Syndrome?

Individuals who have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome usually have characteristics in common with each other but may have symptoms that vary in intensity or may have more symptoms than the next person. The main symptoms which all individuals who have Asperger's Syndrome have in common is that they have a great deal of difficulty dealing with social situations. They have difficulties understanding or taking social cues; have been bullied in school for being different, odd, and even eccentric. They have a great deal of difficulty with non-verbal communications. Social situations can be very confusing times for someone with Asperger's Syndrome.

Those with Asperger's Syndrome find it difficult usually to make "small talk" at parties or other social gatherings. They have a great deal of trouble when asked to come up with an imaginative piece at school, as they are very literal people. They are good at recognizing details and facts, but cannot interpret what others are thinking or feeling based on body language and other non-verbal communications. They are often accused of being rude in public even though that was not the intention of the person. They like routine and doing things by rote. They can get extremely agitated when they experience changes. They are often accused of being inflexible and that they have repetitive behaviors such as wringing hands, or flapping hands.

Recognizing the symptoms of those who have Asperger's syndrome and relating them to someone who has not been diagnosed yet can give a sense of relief that there is a name for what they have been experiencing all their life; there is a diagnosis to be had, support and treatment that can bring relief.

Having Asperger’s Syndrome can be like driving down the street blindfolded or having a conversation with a person that you are very interested in talking to but someone turned down the volume on your hearing aid. Think of all the things you do on a daily basis that involve some sort of non-verbal communication from greeting family members and sharing a meal with them to meeting strangers on the street on your way to work. The workplace is a cornucopia of situations that involve non-verbal communications. The ability to make friends, date and find a mate all involve some sort of non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is very difficult for someone with Asperger’s Syndrome to accomplish successfully.

When the diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome is made the life of the individual can be improved through interventions, therapies and medication. The blindfold comes off the driver and the hearing aid is turned up. There is hope that the individual being treated for Asperger’s Syndrome can learn to develop skills that will overcome or at least dilute the symptoms of the syndrome that keep him or her imprisoned in a cell where verbal and behavioral communication is stifled. The treatment unlocks the cell door allowing them freedom to participate in social situations, to participate more fully at work and school and to even be able to have a normal family life.