Hello to all,
This blog is her to inform all readers about autism, and how the disorder works. Autism is a nurological disorder that effects communication skills that tehe inflicted person has. Also Autism is on the rise and has been since 1990 with an overwhelming amount of children are being diagnosed. Autism is a very confusing disorder, and it has been studied heavily for the last thirty years, but still not much is known. I hope you enjoy this site, and I hope you can take some time to read this.
Thanks ,
Arthur Kampmann
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Autism and its effects
Autism and its Effects
Do you know that 1 in every 100 children is diagnosed with autism? Do you know that 67 children are diagnosed with autism every day? Do you now that a new case of autism is diagnosed every 20 minutes? Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability, and more children will be diagnosed with autism than pediatric AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. Early diagnosis is critical. While the symptoms may improve, there is no cure. Information and education are the most important weapons in the fight against this dread diagnosis
So, what is autism? Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It affects the development of the individual's social interactions and limits communication skills. Autism is usually diagnosed in the first three years of a child's life. Autism is a very complex lifelong disorder, which has been confounding people for a long time. To make matters more complex, autism presents very differently in individuals with the disorder. The severity of autism has a very broad spectrum. Some individuals are completely debilitated by autism, while others are high functioning, and often are just considered “quirky” or a little weird.
Autism is a disorder that has been around for a long time. While not called autism, there have been references to children that did not speak, that were detached and aloof, but there was no research, and, therefore, it was misunderstood and was often confused with schizophrenia. It wasn't until 1943 that Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins University gave autism its modern identity. Modern research has really started to get a clearer idea of what might be causing these children to act the way that they were. In the 1950's and 1960's information about autism was very minimal and confused. Doctors would put the majority of the blame on the mother. These mothers were called “refrigerator mother”, and they would be excluded from many social activities because they produced a crazy child or they did not love their own child enough. The child was also blamed for wanting to withdraw from society. They said the child was rebelling from his family, and entering his own world.
There seem to be three determining factors that can lead to a child being autistic: the environment, genetics or birth trauma. Doctors and scientist have been doing research for over the past twenty years, and they found that over twenty-five different genes can lead autism. The doctors can not find the way that autism and genes relate so far, and doctors along with scientist are starting to look for other possible causes. Research has come to show that environmental factors could be a leading factor. The environmental theory came about due to the fact that autism has been on a serious incline since 1990. While scientist claimed that they have suspected the environment since the early1980s, the focus of the blame was the childhood immunizations that used a binding agent called Thimerasol which contained mercury. There was no conclusive evidence. Other environmental factors could include postnatal viruses, pesticides, and flame retardants, items likely to be found in a house. The current general consensus is that there are toxins and chemicals in the environment that a mother could be exposed to before or after birth, and because of certain gene combinations, some babies are more at risk for autism. It is a very scary thought that the environment can be such a danger for a baby.
The first and most critical thing that a family can do is being informed about what the signs of autism are. Delayed speech, odd patterns of behavior, unusual interests, unusual responses to surroundings, and impaired social interactions are warning signs. Often the pediatrician will recommend that the child's hearing be tested because the child does not respond normally to the people around them.
The next important step is finding knowledgeable professional help. Whether it is a pediatrician, a child psychologist, a speech pathologist, an occupational therapist or an experienced teacher, is the key to the beginning of the treatment. The professional or the team of professionals should be experienced in the treatment of autism. Each child will have their own “brand” of autism. A good professional can help determine the strengths and deficits, and help begin to set the course of treatment.
Scour the internet for the most current treatment options. There are excellent sites, Cure Autism Now, Autism Speaks, for example, that are full of information about autism. The treatments range from Applied Behavior Analysis to Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet to Sensory Integration Therapy. Music and Art Therapy, swimming with dolphins and Hippotherapy (riding horses) are all on the list. Knowing what the child might respond to is important. The treatment must be individualized for each child, and knowing what has worked for others is important information. Information and education are the best way for anybody to learn how to live or deal with people that suffer form autism.
Education is important for the individual with autism. While they learn in a different way, they can learn, and that is important to remember. Some individuals with autism have incredible intellectual talents. Remember Rain Man. They need to be taught very skillfully, and it is important that parents or care giver advocate for the child.
My experience with autism is an unusual one. My little sister Elizabeth was born autistic in 1990 the year when the autism boom began to happen. She is the most beautiful person on the planet, but she is autistic and that makes it difficult for her to communicate what she is thinking. She has similar intrest that my brothers, and I have. Elizabeth loves music, and her favorite is reggae which myself and my brother are most likely the ones who caused that. She also shows similar intrest to all girls because she loves going to get manicures, and playing with dolls is what she enjoys the most. The areas that her symptoms can be shown are very clear. She is attached to my mother, and what my mom does my little sister follows her, and ask her numerous questions. The next area is commonly found amongst autistic kids, and it is control or cleanliness of her things. If she sees a doll in a different place than she put it Elizabeth will know instantly, and move it back or have a mild brake down. Also Elizabeth must feel like she has some control of my mother. Even though Elizabeth knows that my mom is the one in power she still likes to think that she has some control. Elizabeth lacks communication skills, and it is sometimes very clear that she struggles with communicating what she wants to say. This often will make her react by screaming or just having a temper tantrum. It is difficult to watch her struggle with the disorder because you can tell that she has a lot to communicate, but just can not do it. Elizabeth Kampmann is a sweetheart, and lives her life dealing with the autism disorder, but she will always be autistic and that is a realization that millions of people must make.
Autism is a serious disorder that has been on the rise since 1990. The environment has been named the biggest leading factor that can cause autism. There are ways that indiviuals that are autistic can overcome the disorder, and break their diagnosis.
Do you know that 1 in every 100 children is diagnosed with autism? Do you know that 67 children are diagnosed with autism every day? Do you now that a new case of autism is diagnosed every 20 minutes? Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability, and more children will be diagnosed with autism than pediatric AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. Early diagnosis is critical. While the symptoms may improve, there is no cure. Information and education are the most important weapons in the fight against this dread diagnosis
So, what is autism? Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It affects the development of the individual's social interactions and limits communication skills. Autism is usually diagnosed in the first three years of a child's life. Autism is a very complex lifelong disorder, which has been confounding people for a long time. To make matters more complex, autism presents very differently in individuals with the disorder. The severity of autism has a very broad spectrum. Some individuals are completely debilitated by autism, while others are high functioning, and often are just considered “quirky” or a little weird.
Autism is a disorder that has been around for a long time. While not called autism, there have been references to children that did not speak, that were detached and aloof, but there was no research, and, therefore, it was misunderstood and was often confused with schizophrenia. It wasn't until 1943 that Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins University gave autism its modern identity. Modern research has really started to get a clearer idea of what might be causing these children to act the way that they were. In the 1950's and 1960's information about autism was very minimal and confused. Doctors would put the majority of the blame on the mother. These mothers were called “refrigerator mother”, and they would be excluded from many social activities because they produced a crazy child or they did not love their own child enough. The child was also blamed for wanting to withdraw from society. They said the child was rebelling from his family, and entering his own world.
There seem to be three determining factors that can lead to a child being autistic: the environment, genetics or birth trauma. Doctors and scientist have been doing research for over the past twenty years, and they found that over twenty-five different genes can lead autism. The doctors can not find the way that autism and genes relate so far, and doctors along with scientist are starting to look for other possible causes. Research has come to show that environmental factors could be a leading factor. The environmental theory came about due to the fact that autism has been on a serious incline since 1990. While scientist claimed that they have suspected the environment since the early1980s, the focus of the blame was the childhood immunizations that used a binding agent called Thimerasol which contained mercury. There was no conclusive evidence. Other environmental factors could include postnatal viruses, pesticides, and flame retardants, items likely to be found in a house. The current general consensus is that there are toxins and chemicals in the environment that a mother could be exposed to before or after birth, and because of certain gene combinations, some babies are more at risk for autism. It is a very scary thought that the environment can be such a danger for a baby.
The first and most critical thing that a family can do is being informed about what the signs of autism are. Delayed speech, odd patterns of behavior, unusual interests, unusual responses to surroundings, and impaired social interactions are warning signs. Often the pediatrician will recommend that the child's hearing be tested because the child does not respond normally to the people around them.
The next important step is finding knowledgeable professional help. Whether it is a pediatrician, a child psychologist, a speech pathologist, an occupational therapist or an experienced teacher, is the key to the beginning of the treatment. The professional or the team of professionals should be experienced in the treatment of autism. Each child will have their own “brand” of autism. A good professional can help determine the strengths and deficits, and help begin to set the course of treatment.
Scour the internet for the most current treatment options. There are excellent sites, Cure Autism Now, Autism Speaks, for example, that are full of information about autism. The treatments range from Applied Behavior Analysis to Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet to Sensory Integration Therapy. Music and Art Therapy, swimming with dolphins and Hippotherapy (riding horses) are all on the list. Knowing what the child might respond to is important. The treatment must be individualized for each child, and knowing what has worked for others is important information. Information and education are the best way for anybody to learn how to live or deal with people that suffer form autism.
Education is important for the individual with autism. While they learn in a different way, they can learn, and that is important to remember. Some individuals with autism have incredible intellectual talents. Remember Rain Man. They need to be taught very skillfully, and it is important that parents or care giver advocate for the child.
My experience with autism is an unusual one. My little sister Elizabeth was born autistic in 1990 the year when the autism boom began to happen. She is the most beautiful person on the planet, but she is autistic and that makes it difficult for her to communicate what she is thinking. She has similar intrest that my brothers, and I have. Elizabeth loves music, and her favorite is reggae which myself and my brother are most likely the ones who caused that. She also shows similar intrest to all girls because she loves going to get manicures, and playing with dolls is what she enjoys the most. The areas that her symptoms can be shown are very clear. She is attached to my mother, and what my mom does my little sister follows her, and ask her numerous questions. The next area is commonly found amongst autistic kids, and it is control or cleanliness of her things. If she sees a doll in a different place than she put it Elizabeth will know instantly, and move it back or have a mild brake down. Also Elizabeth must feel like she has some control of my mother. Even though Elizabeth knows that my mom is the one in power she still likes to think that she has some control. Elizabeth lacks communication skills, and it is sometimes very clear that she struggles with communicating what she wants to say. This often will make her react by screaming or just having a temper tantrum. It is difficult to watch her struggle with the disorder because you can tell that she has a lot to communicate, but just can not do it. Elizabeth Kampmann is a sweetheart, and lives her life dealing with the autism disorder, but she will always be autistic and that is a realization that millions of people must make.
Autism is a serious disorder that has been on the rise since 1990. The environment has been named the biggest leading factor that can cause autism. There are ways that indiviuals that are autistic can overcome the disorder, and break their diagnosis.
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