~THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS PAGE IS NOT NECESSARILY WHAT I BELIEVE OR DISBELIEVE ABOUT AUTISM - IT IS MERELY INFORMATION PULLED FROM VARIOUS INFORMATIVE SITES ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME 'CORRECTION' EMAILS OR HATE MAIL OR ANYTHING OF THE SORT. I AM JUST PROVIDING FOUNDATION INFORMATION ABOUT ASD'S. THANK YOU~
Autism is a part of what makes Phillip- perfectly him.
To some - autism is seen as a 'defect' - an imperfection. To us - its part of Phillip, part of what makes him who he is and yes, we work to change some of the challenges that he faces from autism BUT we don't try to change HIM. We work on the things he struggles with (because of the autism) that make HIM unhappy. But his autism makes him unique - he wears Christmas hats all year around, he almost always carries something (it used to be DVD cases, now its a "handy dandy notebook" and a crayon). He would own a million rubber ducks if we would let him and he would buy every halloween bucket he laid eyes on if he could. Those are the things that make him who he is. Those are the things we wouldn't try to change.
We work on him being accepting of change (something that many children with autism struggle with). We work on looking AT someone instead of avoiding eye contact - or looking thru them. We encourage him to make different choices - even something as little as carrying a different notebook or wearing a different hat. We work on seemingly simple things like saying "Hello" and "Good bye" at appropriate times.... Yes, we work and he works-- but to enhance his life and help him be more able to function in this society.
He truely is one in a million and yes, we would change many facets of his autism... but we wouldn't change the parts that make him - him.... even if we could.
We work on him being accepting of change (something that many children with autism struggle with). We work on looking AT someone instead of avoiding eye contact - or looking thru them. We encourage him to make different choices - even something as little as carrying a different notebook or wearing a different hat. We work on seemingly simple things like saying "Hello" and "Good bye" at appropriate times.... Yes, we work and he works-- but to enhance his life and help him be more able to function in this society.
He truely is one in a million and yes, we would change many facets of his autism... but we wouldn't change the parts that make him - him.... even if we could.
Information about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD's)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances.
Most autistic children look like other kids and are perfectly normal in appearance, but do spend their time engaged in puzzling and disturbing behaviors which are markedly different from those of typical children. Less severe cases on the spectrum may be diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or with Asperger's Syndrome, these children usually typically have normal speech and might even be intellectually gifted, but they have one or more many "autistic" social and behavioral problems.
Autism is treatable. Children do not "outgrow" autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes. The good news is that there are are now a wide range variety of treatments that can be very helpful. (Most believe there is no cure for ASDs - some will argue this comment - it remains debateable. Do your research and decide in what you believe for yourself.) Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that meet the specific needs of individual children. Most health care professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.
Educational/behavioral interventions: Therapists use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions to help children
develop social and language skills, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis. Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with an ASD often helps families cope with the particular challenges of living with a child with an ASD.
Medications: Doctors may prescribe medications for treatment of specific autism-related symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or
obsessive-compulsive disorder. Antipsychotic medications are used to treat severe behavioral problems. Seizures can be treated with one or more anticonvulsant drugs. Medication used to treat people with attention deficit disorder can be used effectively to help decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Other therapies: There are a number of controversial therapies or interventions available, but few, if any, are supported by scientific studies.
Parents should use caution before adopting any unproven treatments. Although dietary interventions have been helpful in some children, parents should be careful that their child’s nutritional status is carefully followed.
Most autistic children look like other kids and are perfectly normal in appearance, but do spend their time engaged in puzzling and disturbing behaviors which are markedly different from those of typical children. Less severe cases on the spectrum may be diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or with Asperger's Syndrome, these children usually typically have normal speech and might even be intellectually gifted, but they have one or more many "autistic" social and behavioral problems.
Autism is treatable. Children do not "outgrow" autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes. The good news is that there are are now a wide range variety of treatments that can be very helpful. (Most believe there is no cure for ASDs - some will argue this comment - it remains debateable. Do your research and decide in what you believe for yourself.) Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that meet the specific needs of individual children. Most health care professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.
Educational/behavioral interventions: Therapists use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions to help children
develop social and language skills, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis. Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with an ASD often helps families cope with the particular challenges of living with a child with an ASD.
Medications: Doctors may prescribe medications for treatment of specific autism-related symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or
obsessive-compulsive disorder. Antipsychotic medications are used to treat severe behavioral problems. Seizures can be treated with one or more anticonvulsant drugs. Medication used to treat people with attention deficit disorder can be used effectively to help decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Other therapies: There are a number of controversial therapies or interventions available, but few, if any, are supported by scientific studies.
Parents should use caution before adopting any unproven treatments. Although dietary interventions have been helpful in some children, parents should be careful that their child’s nutritional status is carefully followed.
Some of the 'signs and symptoms' of ASD.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE AFFECTED DIFFERENLTY and this information is NOT to be used as a diagnosis tool. If you suspect your child has an ASD - you need to see a physician and/or an autism specialist.
Children with autism generally have problems in three crucial areas of development — social interaction, language and behavior. But because autism symptoms and severity vary greatly, two children with the same diagnosis may act quite differently and have strikingly different skills. In most cases, though, children with severe autism have marked impairments or a complete inability to communicate or interact with other people.
Some children show signs of autism in early infancy. Other children may develop normally for the first few months or years of life, but then suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or lose language skills they've already acquired.
Children with autism generally have problems in three crucial areas of development — social interaction, language and behavior. But because autism symptoms and severity vary greatly, two children with the same diagnosis may act quite differently and have strikingly different skills. In most cases, though, children with severe autism have marked impairments or a complete inability to communicate or interact with other people.
Some children show signs of autism in early infancy. Other children may develop normally for the first few months or years of life, but then suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or lose language skills they've already acquired.