There is a ton of information out there about the subject of autism. Much of it is misleading and often irrelevant for individuals. Most parents have told me that although they might have found helpful sites they just aren't sure what to...
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There is a ton of information out there about the subject of autism. Much of it is misleading and often irrelevant for individuals. Most parents have told me that although they might have found helpful sites they just aren't sure what to try for their own child or what to believe as appropriate therapy for their specific needs. They just don't have time or the background to know how to properly synthesize the overwhelming accumulation of information available.
This wikizine is dedicated to providing professionally and clinically informed information in a format that will help the reader to synthesize the information. In addition, alternative courses of treatment that hold merit will also be available as they are carefully researched and scrutinized as viable alternatives.
It is the goal of this wikizine to help the reader take the impact of autism in smaller steps and stages. The ultimate intent is that it will help lead others to a plan of action and an unfolding map of the future for their individual loved one with autism.
Autism Spectrum covers a wide range of psychological conditions. It is also known as Autism Spectrum disorders or ASD, Autism Spectrum Conditions or ASC, or Pervasive Developmental Disorders or PDDs.
Autism Spectrum Disorders can manifest itself in various degrees. It impairs the feeling, the language, the thinking, and also how one relates to others socially. It is usually noticeable in early childhood at approximately 3 to 4 years of age, but can sometimes be discovered as early... Read Full Story
The declaration has been made by celebrity "autists"or "autistics" like Michelle Dawson, Amanda Baggs, Ari Ne'eman and various Neurodiversity bloggers that ""We", persons with autism spectrum disorders, do not want to be cured". These persons with mild autism spectrum disorders, including Aspergers, routinely declare that "autistics" do not want to be cured, should not be cured, and in fact can never be cured. Their implied claim to omniscience aside, by what right do these people purport to... Read Full Story
Autism affects an estimated 1 in 150 children but there are still no objective medical tests to diagnose it. Researchers at the University of Missouri have been looking at the way children's pupils respond to light. Pupils dilate (widen) when it is dark so more light reaches the retina and contract in bright light to prevent damage. The researchers found that the autistic children's pupils responded significantly more slowly than other children's and a test of pupil reaction time was 92.5... Read Full Story
Perhaps the New York Times is about to shock me and publish an article discussing potential changes to the "autism spectrum" of disorders in the DSM V from the perspective of the impact such changes might have on the lives of those with severe autism, from the perspective of low functioning persons with Autistic Disorder, like my son, Conor Doherty. For now though, like almost every mainstream media article or opinion piece discussing the "autism spectrum" it has done so from the perspective... Read Full Story
The invisible autistics , the severely autistic, those with Autistic Disorder, profound developmental delays, cognitive and intellectual deficits, those who can not live independently, who live on hospital wards and in large, antiquated psychiatric institutions do not make regular appearances in the New York Times and its junior Canadian cousin the Globe and Mail . Nor do they appear regularly on the various CBC television and radio shows that have fawned over Michelle Dawson, Amanda Baggs... Read Full Story
Autism or otherwise called as autistic disorder is characterized by a child’s difficulty in social interaction because of otherwise disruptive or abnormal behavior, a problem with expressing oneself through speech and an obsessive need to present his or her interest repetitively. Diagnosing autism is quite difficult as the symptoms often overlap with other behavior disorders in children. Sad to say, however, if a child has autism, the prevention or cure is unattainable. Although a lot of... Read Full Story
The following video from CDFoakley is not easy to watch. The severely autistic youth featured is engaged in serious self injurious behavior. Those who love and care for him pay a huge price. The video talks of families struggling alone and government agencies that just don't help. Maybe if the media would stop promoting the self indulgent agendas of the barely autistic and started focusing on the harsh realities of the severely autistic governments would get the message.Maybe they would... Read Full Story
In order for a person to understand and view unusual behavior as symptoms of mild autism, one should be able to do a step by step approach rather than taking one symptom as a general indication of autism. A differential diagnosis in the different learning levels is appropriate in dealing with autism. One symptom may not be present or may be an indication of other disorders. Still, as early as now, detection of these symptoms may just help your child respond effectively through vigilance of... Read Full Story
St. Louis, MO – Jo Ann Hejna, Executive Director of The Saigh Foundation in St. Louis, has been named the Honorary Chairperson for TouchPoint Autism Services' 'All Stars for Autism' program in April 2010. The 'All Stars for Autism' program is a month-long awareness and fundraising campaign benefitting TouchPoint (formerly Judevine Center for Autism) and is tied into the National Autism Awareness Month in April. 'I am very pleased to lend my support and the support of The Saigh Foundation to... Read Full Story
Handwriting skills are crucial for success in school, communication, and building children's self-esteem. The first study to examine handwriting quality in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has uncovered a relationship between fine motor control and poor quality of handwriting… Read Full Story
