People may not commonly talk about how gender and autism are connected, but in an age where there’s such an importance on educating ourselves and becoming more aware of the issues surrounding gender identity, gender dysphoria, and mental health, it’s never been more important. This guide aims to serve as a starting point for your
Health concerns and solutions such as dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, mental illness, allergies.
Marisa DiChiacchio shares the story of her son Connor’s Sanfilippo syndrome diagnosis in an effort to raise awareness of this serious condition, which often masks itself as autism. My son Connor had autism. Actually, he still does, but we found out something else from the doctors. Something shocking and unexpected. I hope that sharing my
Unregulated behaviors in children on the autism spectrum and the common reasons behind these are well documented with a wealth of strategies for parents and educators to try. For those parenting a child with an actual or suspected dual diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) there is far less understanding
Tread carefully, but there are important gains to be had. One of the hardest decisions to make is whether to introduce pharmaceuticals into your child with autism spectrum disorder’s (ASD) life to help him/her with the myriad of symptoms and complications that can make life very difficult for your child, his/her caregivers, teachers, and your
The subject of autism and seizures is being asked about more and more by parents of children on the spectrum. Exact figures vary from study to study, however, it is clear that the potential for epilepsy in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is high. According to UK medical researcher Frank MC Besag, around 20%
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in a number of biological processes. There are two forms of vitamin A that can be acquired through the diet, called preformed vitamin A and provitamin A [1, 2]. Preformed vitamin A is a collective term for a group of active compounds better known
Imagine there was a way to improve your child’s concentration, mental alertness, responsiveness, and peace of mind in 30-40 minutes. It might sound like a far-fetched idea for many, but the truth is swimming can do all of the above, and some studies back it up. Swimming isn’t just a workout for the body; it
So, you have a diagnosis It breaks my heart the moment a family arrives in my clinic with the fresh news their son or daughter has recently been diagnosed with autism. Please don’t get me wrong, I am not the pitying kind; in fact, it’s the complete opposite. I feel very strongly in arming families
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Page [tcb_pagination_current_page] of [tcb_pagination_total_pages]