BACKGROUND: More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, or pediatric AIDS combined. Autism affects millions of children world-wide and can vary between mild and severe cases. Autism is as a pervasive developmental disorder and becomes evident in a child within the first 3 years of life. This disease is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention autism identifies around 1 in 110 American children as being on the autism spectrum, a 600% increase in prevalence over the past two decades. (Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, http://www.autismspeaks.org)
PREVENT AUTISM: Althoughthe exact causes of these abnormalities remain unknown. The clearest evidence of these autism risk factors involves events before and during birth of the child. They include older parents at the age of conception (both mom and dad), maternal illness during pregnancy and certain difficulties during birth, specifically those involving periods of oxygen deprivation to the babys brain. It is important to keep in mind that these factors, by themselves, do not cause autism. (Source: http://www.autismspeaks.org)
SIGNS OF AUTISM: Most parents of autistic children suspect that something is wrong by the time the child is 18 months old. According to mayoclinic.com some common characteristics of autistic children include:
LIVING WITH AUTISM: The sooner one starts treatment with their loved the better. Intensive treatment programs will greatly improve the outlook for most young children with autism. Most professional therapists will build on the interests of the child in a highly structured schedule of constructive activities. An experienced specialist or team should design the program for the individual child. Being informed is very important for the family and individuals around an autistic child. Now some hotels are even training their staff to become autism-friendly. One hotel setting the bar isThe TradeWinds Islands Resorts in St. Pete Beach which has chosen to adopt "autism-friendly" practices that reduce negative experiences for those with autism. Families who are looking to travel should call ahead to a hotel and ask if the staff has any Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) training. (Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, http://www.philly.com/philly/travel).
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Tips from Temple Grandin: Help for autism at every age