New Treatment May Help ASD Kids Struggling With Weight Gain
As many parents already know, medications for managing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can cause challenging side effects. For the common symptoms of irritability and agitation, only two drugs are FDA approved—risperidone and aripiprazole—and unfortunately both can cause intense food cravings that lead to weight gain. The drugs are effective at reducing tantrums and aggression, so […]
Continue readingAutism Toys for Children: Ultimate Guide for Choosing the Best Gift for Your Child With Autism
What are the best autism toys for children? Children are so different from one another and so are their needs. Does your child like physical activity? An indoor ball pit or trampoline might help your child with autism expend some energy. What about sensory issues? Many kids benefit from soothing toys such as stress balls […]
Continue readingSensory Integration and Special Needs in the Dental Office
Most people have some degree of aversion to the sensory-rich dental experience. The sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and metallic instruments are literally in our faces. We can’t move or escape, while the dentist contorts our lips, sprays water while our mouths are open, and we try to breathe and communicate. It’s a challenge whether special […]
Continue readingWays Autism Focused Couple Therapy Can Change Your Life
As a practicing clinician specializing in adult diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I have noticed that as the diagnosis of children impacted on the spectrum has dramatically increased (current statistic from the Centers for Disease Control is 1:55), the first time diagnostic rates for adults on the spectrum also continue to skyrocket, making the […]
Continue readingCalming Self-Injurious Behavior with a Simple Touch
The hardest part of treating people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is observing self-injurious behavior. It is especially difficult for the individual’s family and carers to witness them hurting themselves with such aggression when they do not always understand the reason or cause of the trigger. Therefore, I take my clients’ needs very seriously, and […]
Continue readingAutism and ADHD: Do You Know How to Help with Co-Occurring Conditions?
Among school-age children, an estimated 11 percent are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). What most parents, teachers, and school counselors may not realize is that children with ADHD may also manifest symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Having two or more co-occurring diseases or disorders is defined as being comorbid or having comorbidities. […]
Continue readingEvidence vs. Speculation: How to Know Which ASD Therapies Work
Do an online search for “autism therapy for children,” and you will get more than 90 million results offering everything from applied behavior analysis (ABA), equine therapy, restricted diets, hyperbaric chambers, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and alternating tactile stimulation, to behavioral therapy, chelation, electroconvulsive therapy and much more. Parents want the best for their children […]
Continue readingDoctor Makes Great Strides with Unique Treatment for Autism
Significant overall improvements often occur in those with autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by medically treating their coexisting inner-ear/cerebellar-determined (dyslexia or learning disabilities (LD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety related) symptoms with inner-ear-improving medications. Despite significant scientific advances, we currently do not know the primary cause(s) and cure of autism. Thus a […]
Continue readingCan DIR Floortime Help Kids With Autism Develop Communication Skills?
Is your child with autism passive or sensory seeking? Are there developmental delays? Floortime therapy, an evidence-based intervention for autism, may strengthen basic communication skills and relationship skills for your child. What is DIR Floortime? Developmental Individual-difference Relationship-based model (DIR) Floortime was developed by the late Dr. Stanley Greenspan to help children with autism spectrum […]
Continue readingBenefits of Medical Marijuana and Autism to Be Studied
Children’s Hospital will study medical marijuana’s effect on children with autism An upcoming study at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will be the first of its kind in the United States to examine the benefits of medical marijuana in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study is in partnership with an Australian biopharmaceutical company called […]
Continue reading