Autism Health and Medical Info

Just when you think you’ve read it all, here comes another condition that is said to be related to autism: catatonia. If you haven’t heard yet, autism and catatonia have been closely studied to understand their comorbid occurrence and, from what we currently know, unfortunately, it does appear to be true that there’s some crossover.

As more children are diagnosed with autism, researchers are examining a variety of potential “causes” including maternal hormonal disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). One of the most debated autism theories may just be the “extreme male brain” theory. The theory suggests that autism may be an extreme manifestation of the male brain (Baron-Cohen, 2002).

If you’re not scientifically minded, you might be unaware of the potential link between epigenetics and autism. From the moment children are conceived to the moment they begin to interact with the environment, they’re indirectly exposed to factors which could affect their development. In short, epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment

When autism is found alongside (or co-morbid with) another disorder, diagnosis and treatment may be complicated. One example is cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder, where severity and symptoms tend to present differently in each individual. Autism rates among children with cerebral palsy are elevated when compared to prevalence in the general population. Even doctors

Have you ever heard of macrocephaly? This big word has a very simple definition: it means that a person has a large head. But is this condition a problem for children, and does it have any connection to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Let’s take a look at these questions and more. What is macrocephaly? Macrocephaly

Parents often speak about the difficulty of dealing with possible autism characteristics in a young child. When any red flags appear, parents start second guessing themselves. They watch their child like a hawk, dissecting every aspect of behavior. In such circumstances some parents mention that it would be easier if there were distinct autism features

The complicated and controversial history linking autism and schizophrenia does little to answer parents’ concerns about the co-occurrence of these two conditions in their children. Dr. Eugene Bleuler first used the word “autism” in the early twentieth century to describe symptoms related to schizophrenia. More specifically, symptoms of withdrawal into an inner world—which he had

As parents, you want your children to be at their happiest and healthiest, and that includes their diet. Unfortunately, kids on and off the autism spectrum can have problems with food, appearance, and self-esteem. Eating disorders are some of the most complex and dangerous mental health concerns. How common is it for autistic people to

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a diverse array of markers and traits. So much so that every individual on the autism spectrum experiences a variety of symptoms different to the next person and many ASD symptoms can be found in other disorders similar to autism. Autism is categorized by symptoms such as social interaction and

Science tells us that our genes contribute to deficits in communication, social cognition, and behavior. This might lead you to question: is there an autism chromosome? Well, a growing number of physiological and genetic studies are being conducted to determine the cause of autism and target the biological route of its symptoms, so let’s find

When most people hear the term “post-traumatic stress disorder,” or PTSD, they probably picture adult war veterans, abuse survivors, or natural disaster victims. All of these things can cause PTSD, for sure, but sadly, many children face this condition, too―including children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). What is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder is exactly what

Visits to the doctor’s office or to the hospital can be very stressful for an autistic person. A good medical practitioner will offer an inclusive service and make him/her as comfortable as possible. Sharing the following tips and ideas with your doctor may help to make medical appointments less stressful:  Autism is a spectrum condition

Before we delve into defining alexithymia and autism I’d like to paint a picture in your mind. Imagine living in a world where emotions do not appear to exist—no clear indications of anger, sadness, or happiness. So much so that even categorizing these emotions does not exist—a neutral reality where everyone looks the same and

Nothing can prepare a first-time mom when she discovers her son is not only on the autism spectrum but also epileptic. One mom shares her family’s story.  Autism is a journey I never expected as a first-time mother. I always pictured being one of those mothers rushing to all the sporting events he was involved

Raising a child with autism and epilepsy can be challenging; here are 10 tips that can effectively help you, your family, and your child. Parents often feel overwhelmed when their child is diagnosed with autism. When their child receives a further diagnosis of epilepsy, those feelings may intensify. Currently, approximately one in 26 people will

Executive dysfunction in children with autism is a key issue. Executive function itself refers to planning, working memory, impulse control, inhibition, initiation, and monitoring of tasks or actions. All of these elements can be impacted by autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Executive functioning is mediated by the frontal lobe, meaning any developmental delay that implicates the

Your autistic child starts clearing his/her throat repeatedly, and while repetitive behavior may be an autism characteristic, you wonder whether the behavior may be a comorbid condition or something else…  Many parents wish they could know exactly how their kids feel; maybe then they could soothe and treat all their symptoms more effectively. When autistic

Our brains are immense. Everyone’s ability to think, reason, relate, and engage with tasks is granted by their brain’s ability to process the information in their environment. Our brains store thousands of memories, but with many believing the autistic brain is differently wired, some people wonder what the connection is between autism and memory. The

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably seen your child put something in his/her mouth that isn’t food. During the mouthing stage before the age of two, it’s normal for curious babies to try and chew on just about everything. But when children try to actually eat non-food items past this stage of development, they may

There is more and more emerging research on the relationship between oxytocin and autism. So, what actually is oxytocin? Well, on a bad day, many of us turn to activities that elevate our mood such as exercising, cycling, watching movies, eating, cuddling, listening to music or just a simple cup of coffee. These feel-good exercises

Savantism—that mystical, psychological phenomena that’s captured the world’s imagination ever since the movie Rain Man showcased the prodigious memory of an autistic savant. More than a fascination with the extraordinary, research about savantism could unlock useful information about nurturing genius talent associated with the neurodivergent mind. Are savants neurodivergent superheroes? Savantism does conjure up an

Cognitive disorders are impairments to cognitive function (mental processes) to a degree where normal functioning is not possible without treatment. The question of whether autism spectrum disorders fit in this category will be considered in this article. Many in the autism community feel offended by the use of the word “disorder”. For others it remains

Ever heard people talking about biomedical treatment for autism and wondered what it is? This article looks at physiological processes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and highlights biological treatments which claim to improve underlying dysfunctions. Our body’s overall functioning relies on the biological processes carried in our tissues and organs; if a particular

Eating difficulties are commonly reported in children and young people with autism. In a society saturated with the ever-evolving landscape of diet culture and often conflicting professional advice, these difficulties are an understandable source of worry for parents. We, as practicing clinicians, have observed an increasing trend in young people with autism visiting eating disorder

Autism isn’t an easy condition to diagnose. There is no standard medical test, so doctors tend to look at the child’s behavior and development with behavior rating scales and confer with parents and school staff to make a diagnosis. People with high-functioning autism (HFA), previously referred to as asperger’s syndrome, have average or above average

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

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

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

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