What Is Oppositional Defiant Disorder? Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a type of behavior disorder mostly seen in children. Children with ODD have consistent behavior patterns which include being argumentative and defiant towards parents and other figures of authority. According to documentation from the DSM-5, oppositional defiant disorder is “a pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant […]
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What is GABA? Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It is responsible for “reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system.” By decreasing activity in the nervous system, GABA aid in reducing fight or flight responses such as fear, anxiety, aggression, stress, and agitation. Research suggests it might also […]
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Question: I have heard of a Special Needs Trust. Can you share why my son with autism may need one? A Special Needs Trust is an important element in special needs planning because of what it can protect. For most individuals with an intellectual and developmental disability, government benefits are critical to providing a very […]
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Question: I have a nine-year-old who is not using the toilet to open his bowels. He can take himself to the toilet to urinate but is having constipation issues. He has been on a laxative for three weeks, and the continence nurse has encouraged us to put him back in nappies during this time. . […]
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Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives an AUTISM Interview by asking six questions through each letter in the word AUTISM to give readers an insightful perspective from parents, experts, entrepreneurs and other leaders in the field. Today’s AUTISM Interview is with Jean M. Grant who is a scientist, author, and mom to two active, nature-loving sons. […]
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When I was a kid, I was something of a handful. I acted out in class, antagonized my peers, and was generally a disturber of the peace. I got punished with detention more times than I can count and spent so much time in the principal’s office that I still remember what it looked like […]
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A parent’s love is a special love. It is not about approval or accomplishment. It is about unconditional support and concern. It’s a love born in joy, nurtured during adversity and reconfirmed on a daily and hourly basis. It’s a love bound up in anxiety and expectation. Often worry and concern can creep in as […]
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My oldest daughter is 17 years old, and her name is Marley. I should have known the journey with Marley was going to be an interesting ride from the start. My wife and I adopted Marley from China on her first birthday. The day I officially became a father is the most vivid day of […]
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Throughout most of his life, Gregory Chabolla had continuously proven that he could achieve far beyond the limits set by his diagnosis. It was back in 1998 when he was diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Gregory was just three years old. And his mother, Michelle, was told her son would never be […]
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How to apply for autism grants Applying for grants can seem like a daunting process. Don’t let paperwork, reference letters, and the waiting game discourage you from filling out an application. As an increasing volume of research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is published, public awareness is rising, and services—including grants—are more readily available than […]
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