Thursday, September 6, 2007

Autism

In this article, I will discuss what autism is and what some of
the common misconceptions are concerning autism. Autism is a
neurological disability that affects an individual's ability to
communicate and socialize with others. They might also be
experiencing issues with motor skills and processing information
as well. Autism affects each child and adult differently. There
is no such thing as typical Autism behaviors.

The exact cause of Autism is not known. It is believed to be the
result of abnormalities in the brain structure. Brain scans of
individuals who have been diagnosed with Autism show such
differences. It is also believed that heredity and genetics play
a role in the development of Autism.

Autism often occurs in those who have other medical issues
including Fragile X Syndrome, Sclerosis, Rubella, and toxic
diseases that are related to issues during the pregnancy. There
is a debate that standard vaccinations can result in Autism as
well.

Regardless of the reasons behind Autism, there are some myths
out there that result from uneducated individuals. This includes
the idea that Autism is the result of poor parenting during the
early years of a child's development. There is also the myth
that Autism is a mental illness. There is no evidence to support
that idea.

Taking the time to learn the basics of Autism will be
beneficial. There are many terms to be aware of. Knowing the
basics can help you decide what step to take next. You can also
find great resources to provide information and help for your
Autistic child. Early identification and diagnosis are key. If
you feel your child might have Autism it is a good idea to get
an evaluation conducted by a qualified doctor with knowledge of
Autism.

The education process of Autism can be challenging for those
with the disability as well as parents and caregivers. This is
because there are so many variable to take into consideration.
Support groups are an excellent source of information and
emotional release. Working with qualified individuals to set up
an Individual Education Plan is a great idea.

There is still much we don't know about Autism. However, it is
possible to live with an Autistic child and still have a fairly
normal home life. This means taking the time to understand the
disability, seek out resources, and find support for yourself
and other members of your family.

Most children who develop Autism will show symptoms of the
disability by the time they are three years old. If your child
is not meeting milestones in a timely fashion, they may have
Autism. The sooner a diagnosis is made the more options you will
have for helping your child.

For more information and resources concerning autism, you can
visit our website.

Author: Matthew Wagner