Special Needs: Autism

 

1 in every 110

The staggering statistic of children diagnosed with autism in the United States: 1 out of every 110, with one in every 70 boys being diagnosed.

Learn about autism spectrum disorders, parenting these special needs children and options in health care.

Autism

Autism is a development disorder which affects one in every 110 children in the United States.  Autism has no known cause, although autistic persons have genetic similarities.  Boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls.  One in every 70 boys is diagnosed with autism. Parents with one autistic child are 80% more likely to have another autistic child.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) include classic autism, Asperger's Syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), child disintegrative disorder and Rett's Disorder.

Classic autism, or Autistic Disorder,  is characterized by impaired verbal skills, idiosyncratic hand movements, inappropriate social bonding or a lack of bonding, impaired social skills, preoccupation with objects or parts of objects, sensitivity to sounds, head-banging and self-stimulating behaviors.

Asperger's Syndrome is a mild form of autism and most commonly associated with savants.

PDD is the diagnosis given to ASD patients who show autistic symptoms, but do not exhibit enough behaviors to be considered for a classic autism diagnosis.

Research into autism is currently underfunded.  Only 5% of all research money is allotted for autism research, despite the fact that autism strikes 500 times more frequently than well-funded maladies, such as juvenile diabetes, leukemia and cerebral palsy.

Scientists believe autism is caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors, including in utero environment.  Fifteen genes have been isolated as contributors to the risk of autism.

Despite much public debate and disbelief, vaccinations, especially the measles-mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine, and thimerosal (the outdated mercury-derived antiseptic in vaccinations) do not cause autism.  The theory behind the original hypothesis was the vaccine was temporally connected to the onset of autism symptoms.  Research has proven the symptoms were present prior to the vaccinations, but were undetected by observers.

Diagnosing autism often proves difficult in small children because they lack the ability to perform many of the tests.  No chemical test for autism exists. 

Early intervention has proven successful in the treatment of autism.  Where this becomes difficult is failing to diagnose autism early.

Dietary changes can alleviate some digestive problems associated with autism and autistic behaviors.  Decreasing the gluten and casein intake in autistic children can help with behavior.

Although awareness of autism is growing, attention is not.  Those who do not know anyone with autism must join voices with the autism community to demand research funding and legislation to alleviate the hardships of autistic citizens.

Yes

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No

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Parents for an Autism Cure

Their slogan is simple: Parents standing shoulder to shoulder to support one another and force research to cure our children so we can prevent autism in the future.

But they are not just parents. There are young people who have no children, grandparents, friends of families with children, and the list goes on. So what makes this cause different?

PAC is a Facebook Cause who supports the Autism Research Foundation. Parents for an Autism Cure is supporting the research into a cause, cure and prevention of autism. The ARF is not an awareness organization like the most recognizable autism organizations.

Join the fast growing group on Facebook and join the Twub for PAC to follow Tiwtter activity.

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Comments (1 to 2 of 2)

Glory Lennon
Sep 25, 09 at 08:30 PM
This is a fantastic zone! How I wish something like this was available way-back-when I was told my boy Justin had Autism. Great job.
Tina Hartley
Jun 08, 09 at 05:59 PM
This is a beautiful page with wonderful resources for parents of autistic children

Find the pieces to solve the Autism Puzzle.

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Autism Resources

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Helium Helps Fund Research

Did you know Helium will donate article proceeds to the National Autism Association?

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Googles

National Autism Association: Mission Statement

The mission of the National Autism Association (NAA) is to educate and empower families affected by autism and other neurological disorders, while advocating on behalf of those who cannot fight for their own rights. NAA educates society that autism is not a lifelong incurable genetic disorder, but one that is biomedically definable and treatable.

NAA raises public and professional awareness of environmental toxins as causative factors in neurological damage that often results in an autism or related diagnosis. NAA encourages those in the autism community to never give up in their search to help their loved ones reach their full potential.

NAA funds the appropriate research for finding a cure for the neurological damage from which so many affected by autism suffer.
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