Autism Health and Medical Info

Gearing up for a surgical procedure can be scary, especially for an autistic child. Here are tips to make the journey easier for you both. Being informed that your child requires surgery is not the news that any parent wants to hear. Preparing your child with autism to undergo this entire experience will take careful

Watching your child have a seizure is frightening. When your child is also autistic, it can feel overwhelming trying to understand what’s happening and how best to help. Many parents aren’t aware that autism and seizures can go hand in hand. Recognizing the signs early and knowing what to do next can be a crucial

For many families, exploring foods that may impact autism has become an important part of supporting their child’s development. There’s no one-size-fits-all “autism diet.” However, many parents notice real improvements in mood, behavior, digestion, speech development, and sleep after removing certain foods. These personal experiences are now being backed by growing scientific research. Remember, every

If your child has autism and also seems to tire easily, slouches often, or struggles with balance and coordination, you might be dealing with more than just clumsiness. These could be signs of low muscle tone. As both a pediatrician and an autism mom, I know firsthand how this combination of autism and low muscle

Awareness of autism and ADHD in women has increased in recent years, as more people recognize that these conditions often present differently in females. For a long time, autism and ADHD were diagnosed based on how they appear in boys, which led many women to be overlooked. Women are more likely to internalize symptoms and

My son bangs his head. It’s a stim he’s had since he was a toddler. We try to stop him from hitting his head too hard by placing a pillow between him and hard surfaces, but sometimes we are too late. He’ll come away with a bump on his head but act like nothing is

Interoception refers to the internal sense that helps individuals perceive and interpret bodily signals, such as hunger, pain, or emotional states. For many autistic individuals, it can be difficult to recognize and respond to these internal signals. Increased awareness of interoception in autism can lead to better management of this essential sensory system, improving overall

Everyone in the world has experienced separation anxiety at some point in their life. For some, it may be their first trip to a sleepaway camp. For others, it may be leaving the nest for college or employment. But what about children with autism and separation anxiety? When a child with autism spectrum disorder experiences

Individuals with ASD can sometimes exhibit a trait of social withdrawal from others. This can appear to be detachment in conjunction with a strong desire for a great deal of alone time.   In contrast, dissociation is marked by a separation of one’s thoughts or personality from a particular environment. All of us experience dissociation at

When we look at persons with autism, we tend to focus on the social challenges they bravely face daily.  What is less looked upon is that many of those with ASD tend to have significant and unusual fears that can impact their daily functioning. But is there a connection between autism and paranoia?  In studies,

Does your child with autism refuse to wear a coat in the winter or insist on wearing warmer clothes when it’s cold? Does a child’s body temperature often register a fever when they are perfectly healthy? Unfortunately, autism and temperature regulation issues often go hand-in-hand. While it’s different for each individual, it’s a common problem

As autism rates continue to increase across the world, many researchers are looking into genetic factors that may contribute to an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. This leads to important questions such as: “Does an autism gene exist?” “Can environmental factors play a role in developing autism?” and “Which parent carries the autism gene, mother or

The human brain is the greatest computer in the world. It can help you remember and process some of the greatest moments of your life. It can connect your thoughts to something that made you incredibly joyful or angry. But is this any different for an autistic brain? The World Health Organization defines autism spectrum

Upon hearing something about joint hypermobility in autistic children, parents and caregivers can often wonder if it is something they should be concerned about. Are there regular joint hypermobility occurrences in autistic children? There are many different comorbid diagnoses that children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have, and their parents and caregivers may

When a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, many parents wonder what the future holds. One important and often concerning question is about autism life expectancy. Do autistic individuals have a shorter lifespan? This article explores the latest research and scientific findings to help answer this critical question. Is autism life expectancy lower than

“He can’t have autism; our family has no history!” These words from family members cut me like a knife when my youngest son was diagnosed with autism, and it immediately brought up the age-old question: Is autism hereditary?  My son was just three weeks shy of turning two years old when he was diagnosed, and

When autistic children are interested in something and talk about it constantly, parents and others wonder if autism and narcissism are linked. Although having a passion and discussing it with others is great, especially when they listen, but would that qualify that individual as a narcissist? It can be daunting when little Johnny or Susie

As a parent, seeing your child battle depression can be one of the most difficult things to do. You want to help them through it and see brighter days ahead, no matter how bleak things may look at the time. But what about children with autism? Can a child have autism and depression? The simple

Have you heard about the gut-brain connection in autism? Researchers have discovered that there may be a link between gut bacteria (the microbiome) and the brain, which could contribute to certain challenging behaviors, such as aggression, emotional meltdowns, and self-injury, in autism. For many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), coping with irritability is an

This article is going to cover what dyspraxia is, symptoms, and whether or not there is a possible link between dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorders. Although there will be discussion about this condition, it is always recommended to talk to your child’s doctor for information related to dyspraxia and any questions or concerns about your

There are parents of autistic children who wonder if there is a connection between autism and bedwetting. They have probably noticed that their children have some sleep problems, like: These and other nighttime issues can cause anxiety in both parents and children. This article is going to discuss whether there is a connection between autism

High IQ and ADHD can be a puzzling combination for many parents. When a child is both intellectually gifted and struggles with attention, focus, or impulsivity, it may feel confusing or even contradictory. However, this duality is more common than many realize and is often misunderstood. Rather than labeling these children as simply “difficult” or

As parents and caregivers to children on the spectrum, you may find yourself wondering every now and again, why they did what they did and question the link between impulse control disorder and autism. Impulsive behaviors can go hand in hand in childhood and is a way that children test their environment and learn different

As the number of individuals diagnosed with autism over the years has increased, there has been light shown on links between multiple diagnoses for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one link being between autism and cancer. At the surface, it would seem that these two diagnoses would be unrelated. Autism symptoms can be comorbid

Last week my son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For a long time, my focus had been on getting that “golden ticket” so that he could access the accommodations he needs, and get help finally. As much as it was a relief to have, it was just the beginning. ASD symptoms are not

“How is he?” my mother in law asked worriedly as she hugged me tight. “Not good, I don’t know how to reach him, he is here, but so far away”, I explained through the tears running down my face. My precious son had been struggling for weeks emotionally and physically. From my own personal experience

Lorelei placed her groceries up onto the belt as quickly as she could. So much to do today, and the added bonus of having her nine year old daughter home from school unexpectedly definitely affected her to-do list. Sarah wanted to help with everything which was adorable, but sometimes slowed things down. “Mama, what’s an

This article will highlight the discussion surrounding the association between obesity and ADHD symptoms. Could symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as inattention and compulsions, be a risk factor for obesity in adults and children? The scientific links between obesity and ADHD will be highlighted in this article. We will also define and

What is childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD)? Is my child at risk? How might it affect my child? These are questions parents of children on the spectrum might ask when first seeing CDD written out in front of them, perhaps alongside the word “autism”. Being a parent and watching your children develop, wondering whether they are

For a long time professionals and parents alike have wondered about the possible connection between autism and chronic pain.  In the past, it was assumed by some that individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) didn’t really feel pain. That the pain intensity was different for them somehow. This is a misconception and thankfully there