Autism Questioned and Answered

Finding out that your child has some form of autism is never easy. You probably have many questions going through your head. What exactly is autism? How will this effect my family? What caused this? Is there a treatment? Where can I find help and support? All these questions do have answers, some not as defining as you want, but autism is still undergoing a lot of research.

What is autism?
Autism is a developmental disorder that effects the way children act. It could make them behave oddly and not like other kids. A few of these symptoms could be communication issues, bizarre behavior, and social defects. This disorder usually begins at birth and noticed within the first 3 years of life. There are several forms of this disorder, it is best to contact your child's doctor in order to find the right form your child has.

What are the signs?
No two children are alike, even if they are both diagnosed with the same form of autism. One case could be more severe than the other, causing them to act differently. Some common signs of this disorder could include:
-Social defects. Perhaps your child shows no interest in playing simple games with you, like peek-a-boo.
-Communication issues. They may have a difficult time communicating with others, verbally or non-verbally.
- Repetitious behavior. Such as spinning or rocking themselves, or touching objects, and even head-banging.
- Short attention span. It may seem like they have little to no interest with any/everything and not pick up activities.
-Obsessive Compulsive. They could get upset at any little change to their daily routine or environment.
And if any symptoms occur like seizures, digestive issues, or ADD, you should ask about medications that your doctor may prescribe.

What are some treatments?
The earlier you get diagnosed and get treatment, the more effective and successful your child will be. Treatment works best when started as early as possible. When you first find out your child has autism, then you should begin immediately. Going through the treatment will provide the parents with enough knowledge and training on how to handle almost every situation. Your child will be taught social skills, proper communication, self-help in appropriate situations, and education. They may be taught around other children who also have autism, in most cases this will help their development. But with some children, he/she might take this learning in a negative way. This just means that he/she will need a little extra guidance.

What causes autism?
Because autism is still being studied today, researchers are not certain what the cause is. They believe it could be in the genes, or genetic mixed with the environment. Or some think it might be a viral infection that triggered a certain gene before their birth. None of these are certain or fully proven. Making the cause unknown, but keep in mind that new discoveries are still being made.

Tips to help your family and autistic child.
It's important to get as much information as possible about your child's autistic disorder. There are several ways to obtaining knowledge and support.
-Join with other families in your neighborhood who have autistic children.
-Find autism organizations in your area.
- Browse libraries, call hot-lines, and talk to specialists.
-Ask around for treatments, services, and groups.

How do you diagnose your child with autism?
If your child shows any of the signs or symptoms, contact his/her doctor. You will have to answer a checklist that refers to your child's behavior. As well as a few tests to show if he/she has it and how sever.

For more about the checklist and to fill it out, please visit.
http://www.autism.com/autism/first/e23.htm