Category Archives for "Autism Health and Medical Info"
Health concerns and solutions such as dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, mental illness, allergies.
3 Ways to Determine If Your Child Needs A New Doctor
As parents of children with autism, we try to do what’s best for our kids, but it somehow feels like we’ve never done enough. We love our children and want them to be happy and healthy, but we tend to fear the future. Some people might say that our fears are unfounded. The research proves […]
Continue readingQ&A Help: My Child with Autism is Afraid of Doctors
My three-year-old boy (newly diagnosed with high functioning ASD) has to go for his yearly bloodwork (he has to have his liver enzymes and vitamin D monitored regularly). He’s newly terrified of doctors (inconsolable at the pediatrician), and I can’t wrap my head around how I’m going to get him to cooperate this time—he was […]
Continue readingTwo Critical Steps to Support the Mental Health Needs of Individuals with ASD
The other day, a young boy came into the office very upset and dysregulated. His parents apologized for how he was acting, however, it was evident his behavior was stemming from a thought or emotion he was wrestling with. My client is 10 years old, possesses high verbal ability and is extremely knowledgeable in the […]
Continue readingFour Key Lessons from a State Supported Living Center
A young man in a green T-shirt rushed into the deep-blue calming space and seated himself before the five-foot-tall bubble tube, turning it on and off and greeting each color change with audible glee. An older, sharply dressed man, in polo shirt, slacks and red socks, took a chair and positioned it as far away […]
Continue readingTop Ways to Manage Stress When A Loved One Has Autism
Raising an individual on the autism spectrum comes with its challenges and blessings. Parents have to process the diagnosis and determine what approach to take regarding their child’s health. They have to learn how to navigate through the medical care process, schedule therapy providers, and plan for special education with their school districts. Their plate […]
Continue readingTaking Care of YOU…The Importance of Self-Care
Parenting a child with autism can be one of the toughest, most overwhelming jobs. Your daily life revolves around your child, from dealing with meltdowns to driving to various therapies. It is important to take the time to ask yourself, “When do I have time for me?” You are human and if you do not […]
Continue readingAutism and Depression: Connections Between Autism, Mental Health, Emotions, and Other Co-Relating Conditions
What is depression? Psychiatry.org defines depression as a medical illness that causes “feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.” People with autism, particularly teens and adults, are prone to depression. At this stage of their lives, autistic teens and adults have more social experiences. As a result, they can go […]
Continue readingHow Music Can Help Those With ASD Cope With Anxiety
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD ) is a wide spectrum and one that can come in a whole range of severities. However, one thing that many people with ASD have is some form of anxiety, and that can be tough to deal with. Research has shown that music is able to help mental health quite substantially, […]
Continue readingHelp: My Child With Autism Is Afraid to Go to the Dentist
Many children struggle with the idea of going to the dentist, but for children with autism, a trip to the dentist office can create anxiety and even panic. Here are some simple suggestions that may ease stress levels and make your dental visit a success. 1. Visual Schedules A visual schedule is a great way […]
Continue readingThe Best Ways to Help People with Autism Manage Anxiety
Many children with autism have higher rates of anxiety than their peers. Specifically, nearly 40 percent of children and adolescents with autism are estimated to have clinically significant anxiety or at least one anxiety disorder (Van Steensel et al. 2011). Anxiety is experienced when errors in thinking that include exaggerating threat or danger as well […]
Continue readingWhat Are the Possible Causes of Autism?
What causes autism? To this day, scientists and researchers are still investigating the cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). After years of studies and examination, it is apparent that a single factor may not cause autism. What is clear is that autism the result of a combination of physical and environmental factors that ultimately affect […]
Continue readingHow Do I Know If My Child With Autism is Depressed?
According to research, approximately 20 percent of the population will experience depression at some point in their lives—this statistic increases to almost 60 percent in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mood disorders (including depression) do tend to be more common in those with developmental disabilities compared to the more general population. However, depression in […]
Continue readingAutism and Comorbidities: How to Treat One While Treating the Other
Q&A with Matthew Fisher, MD, Medical Leader, Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health Psychiatric Residential Treatment Program and Outpatient Psychiatry Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience other medical conditions or comorbidities that can sometimes mask or even exacerbate symptoms of autism. At the top of the list are psychiatric conditions, neurological issues, and even gastrointestinal […]
Continue readingAnxiety and Autism: Best Ways to Relieve the Effects of Anxiety
Anxiety and autism disorders Approximately 40 percent of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also have an anxiety disorder (Steensel, Bögels, & Perrin, 2011). Anxiety can exacerbate symptoms of ASD making communication and social interactions increasingly difficult. Helping a child with autism learn practical skills to manage his/her anxiety can improve quality of life […]
Continue readingAutism Medication Guide: Treating Autism and Its Core Symptoms
While the first clinical account of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was published more than 75 years ago by child psychiatrist Leo Kanner, the precise cause of autism is still not clear to scientists. Billions of dollars have been spent on autism research over the years in an attempt to unravel the mystery that now affects […]
Continue readingThe Promising Benefits of Aiding Hand Dominance in Autism
We have a grandchild who was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum at around 18 months. She is now seven years old and has shown amazing improvement. Her stimming has ceased. She now functions in school in the appropriate grade and shows continuous improvement in social integration. For us, the diagnosis brought with it, as I’m sure […]
Continue readingGoing to the Dentist Doesn’t Have to Be a Challenge with ASD
Taking a child to the dentist can be a very stressful experience for both parents and children. For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental disabilities who have difficulties with sensory stimuli, communication, and increased levels of anxiety, the stress is even greater. From the time spent in the waiting room combined with […]
Continue readingWays to Unlock and Manage Your Autistic Child’s Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common issues experienced by children or young people with autism. Understanding anxiety and identifying the role it plays in behaviors associated with autism — as well as learning ways to minimize its impact — are crucial for parents and caregivers. Anxiety is a very common feeling for everyone. We […]
Continue readingMental Health and Anxiety Treatment with Autism: There is Help
If your child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), he/she is far more likely to have one or more additional disorders—such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or a mood disorder. Current estimates tell us more than 50 percent of children with ASD have significant anxiety. It’s common for high-functioning children on the spectrum to realize they […]
Continue readingExpert Advice on How to Help Girls Handle Menstruation
You can’t change the radio channel fast enough. You’ve had a bad day, and you can’t make up your mind what you want to want to listen to. You scan the radio channels like you are looking for a needle in a haystack. Then you hear it. That old song that takes you back to […]
Continue readingHow to Use Peripheral Vision to Engage Your Child with Autism
It’s a PARTY. You hold an ice cream cone in front of a child’s face, and it creates a party in the brain. The child’s brain activity goes wild and sees nothing to the left or right, only seeing what’s in front of him/her. What some may not know is with a child with autism, […]
Continue readingThe Critical Need for Self-Care: The Oxygen Mask Rule
For anyone who has ever flown, the oxygen mask safety speech is a routine part of boarding. Frequently, it falls into the background as we adjust ourselves in preparation for several cramped hours in the sky. But, that speech carries a beautiful message regarding self-care. The Oxygen Mask Rule is simple: if the cabin loses […]
Continue readingAutism Mom’s Self Care: 6 Quick Ways To Reduce Stress and Gain Clarity
On top of the “duties” of everyday life, dealing with unscheduled meltdowns, potty training issues, countless therapy sessions, and endless fighting with the school system to get the much-needed and well-deserved accommodations and services, parenting a child with autism can be VERY stressful and overwhelming. Many parents may attest to the fact that we become […]
Continue readingUsing Mindfulness to Conquer Parental Stress Now
As the parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), life may be filled with emotional ups and downs. Periods of calm can abruptly shift to episodes of intensely challenging behavior that disrupt family equilibrium. Likewise, deeply difficult days can soften to reveal moments of great joy. The chaos of parenting a child with […]
Continue readingHow to Recognize the Medical Comorbidities of Autism
The etiology of autism, though still a mystery, is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Autism is thought to develop sometime during pregnancy and the first three years of life (early-onset autism) or, as in regressive or late-onset autism, some children appear to have developed normally until 12-24 months before losing […]
Continue readingBest Essential Oils for Autism and ADHD – The Ultimate Guide
In recent years many parents of children with autism have become interested in the use of essential oils as a natural way to manage symptoms. In this guide we discuss everything you need to know. Quick Navigation What are essential oils? What types of behaviors can potentially be reduced? What are the benefits of essential […]
Continue readingTaking Care of Your Child’s Teeth for Life
We all know that dental health is important, but it can present extra challenges to children with autism. Taking care of your children’s teeth is an important aspect of their overall health and can prevent more serious problems from developing later on. Most dentists advise brushing your child’s teeth from the appearance of their first […]
Continue readingThe Pink Side of the Spectrum – Our Unexpected Turn in Life
Navigating as an autism parent can be challenging as no two children on the spectrum are alike. Raising a girl on the spectrum can be especially challenging. Since girls account for much less of the total diagnoses, it’s much harder to find research studies or information exclusively about girls on the spectrum. Primarily viewed as […]
Continue readingAdvice on How the Thyroid/Autism Connection Can Make a Difference
During my years as a physician I have had the privilege to work with many families and their autistic children. In my experience, nearly three-quarters of those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have low thyroid function. With proper treatment, we often see significant gains in speech, language, eye contact, motor function, growth, GI function […]
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