Autism and autism-related disorders

Autism and autism-related disorders have been attributed to many causes, but so far there is not a proven causal factor.

A new UK study by Professor Simon Baron-Cohen of Cambridge University has shown that if unborn babies are exposed to higher than normal levels of the hormone testosterone during pregnancy, they may have an above average chance of being diagnosed with autism later on.

While the studies fall far short of proving a causal link, this theory merits further investigation. Earlier studies have also demonstrated that prenatal testosterone levels have an effect on brain development in animals.

Full story http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/09/11/sciaut111.xml

What my Daughter means to me

Many times I have blogged about my Aspergian daughter Savannah. Even before she was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, I knew in my heart that something was not quite right, but by the same token I loved her with all of my heart and hoped she would never have to to be labelled. She is very special young lady and brings a lot of joy to all who take the time to get to know her. I will always think of her as a gift and I wouldn't want to change her one iota.

I was overjoyed to find a website where parents and caregivers can talk about their own kids on the spectrum and what they love about them. I thought it was amazing and wanted to share it with you. A gift of Love from the Autism Community
go down the page until you get to the article The Joy of Autism a Mother's Day Gift and then click on collection of stories, poems, photos, and appreciations

All the best

Monicka

Depression and Autism

Today is a very sad day for me. After having my friend Cassie here for the last few weeks I woke up this morning feeling like something was missing. Our friendship has become such an important part of my day and having her here in my country and my home was very special for me. I am literally having Cassie withdrawal. So yes I am a bit sad but I know that by tomorrow or Sunday I will be back to my old self. My daughter, who has Asperger's, sometimes, suffers from depression and I keep a close eye on her for any red flags. A bad day at school can sometimes exacerbate into full blown depression in the blink of an eye so if she seems like she is becoming withdrawn and spending a bit too much time in her room I make sure to check in with her to see what is going on. It is sometimes like pulling teeth to get her to talk about it but with a bit of encouragement or a game of hangman she will eventually tell me.


Depression is very common in autism and Asperger’s kids. Social withdrawal, lack of appetite and sleep disturbance is common in children on the spectrum and are also the core symptoms of depression, the disease can sometimes go undiagnosed and untreated. If you have any concerns your child may be depressed it is a good idea to talk to a professional as soon as possible.

All the best

Monicka

Asperger Kids and Friendship

Continuing the theme of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) and friendship, we thought you would be interested in a program we listened to in which some Asperger's children were interviewed about how they cope at school.

You'll find the link on this page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/features/autism.shtml - just scroll about 1/2 way down, the program is entitled ASPERGER FRIENDS. There are also lots of other interesting programs archived on the page!

Happy parenting,

Cassie

Autism and friendship

Friendship is just as important to kids on the Autism spectrum as to any other child. But these special children can have lots of difficulty making friends.

If your child has a classmate with Autism, Aspergers or a related condition, you can help them by explaining a bit about autism and some of the ways in which autism-spectrum children differ. For example, explain that their autistic classmate might have difficulty understanding "social rules", and so might unintentionally sound rude. They probably don't mean it at all!

This article gives some other ideas about befriending an autistic person. Hope you find it as interesting as we did!

Happy parenting.

Cassie

Autism and Sleep

Happy Friday Everyone

Cassie is a firm believer in proper sleep hygiene and I am finding that even though I am more of a night owl, I am slowly changing my sleep habits for the better. She was apalled at the late hours my children sometimes keep and suggested that maybe my son, who suffers from frequent colds, would benefit with more sleep. All well and good if there was a way to make him go to bed earlier without the nightly ritual of having to get something to eat or drink or tell me something he forgot to mention earlier. My teenage daughter, who has Asperger's, seems to be able to get by on the minimum amount of sleep and still function properly but that is not always the way with kids on the spectrum. Many have sleeping difficulties and find it not only difficult to fall asleep but also to stay asleep.

An extreme example was a child I read about in a Discovery magazine article, who had to sleep standing up leaning against his dresser because he had so much discomfort at night that was the only way he could get any rest.

All the best

Monicka

Autism and Affection

Some autistic children - or kids with autism spectrum conditions - have difficulty in both demonstrating and accepting affection in what is considered a socially-acceptable fashion.

Visiting Monicka here in Canada and getting to know her 15-year-old daughter, Savannah, has been a real eye-opener for me and I feel extremely privileged to know such a special child. I must admit I was a little trepidatious as I've not known an autism-spectrum child before and didn't really know what to expect. But as soon as I met Savannah I could see for myself what a special and loving child she is.

When I went in her room this morning and gently woke her from a deep sleep, she gave me the most beautiful smile and it just made my day!

With much love to all of these very, very special kids and the parents that have the honor of raising them.

Cyberhugs,

Cassie

Autism - Not Just a Brain Disorder?

Monicka blogged recently about the statistics that indicate that Autism and autism-spectrum disorders are on the increase. (see Autism Statistics)

Autism has long been regarded as a disorder of the brain, probably genetic in origin. However, recent research suggests that the truth may be much, much more complex.

• One gene, called MET, has been isolated and shown to double the risk of a person developing autism. MET is a gene that affects the nervous and immune systems, and the gut. And surprisingly, this gene is found in 47% of the population. MET is affected by exposure to various toxins.
  
  
• There are suggestive (but not conclusive) correlations between areas of high environmental toxins and increases in autism rates.
  
  
• A 2005 study by Carlos Pardo found that autistic patients had inflammation in specific brain cells that are important for immune responses.
  
  
• Huge numbers of autistic children have histories of immunologically-related symptoms such as chronic ear or stomach infections, eczema and allergies
  

These and other findings suggest that Autism is affected not only by multiple genes but also multiple environmental factors - and that it is a complex disorder not just of the brain but of the immune and digestive systems.

Given the dramatic rise in the number of children diagnosed with Autism, and the public concern, it is encouraging to note that many new research initiatives are being launched, and new funding is being made available. In the USA, for example, the Combating Autism Act of December 2006 authorized nearly $1 billion for autism-related research and intervention between now and 2010.

Happy Parenting,

Cassie

Siblings and Kids on the Autism Spectrum

Happy Sunday Everyone
It is a beautiful sunny day and Cassie and I just returned from a nice walk with the dog. Cassie is doing really well jet lag wise and seems happy and relaxed. I want this time for her to be an enjoyable experience so she will want to come back; or better yet not want to leave. :- )

My friendship with Cassie is so important to me and I can’t imagine not having her in my life. Children who are on the Autism spectrum may have problems developing such friendships and my fondest hope is that one day my daughter who has Asperger's (a pervasive development disorder related to Autism) will find such a friend. In the interim she has developed a bit of a friendship with an older girl from high school but it is not the kind of friendship that will probably last. For one, her friend will be graduating this June and she will be on her way to independence while my daughter will be in the school system for a few more years yet.

For my daughter the relationship she has with her younger brother is very important to her. There is a five-year difference but they seem to really enjoy each other’s company and do a lot of things together. I think she would be a very lonely child without her little brother. For kids on the spectrum siblings play a huge part in their social development and sometimes the younger child will develop a protective role and look out for their elder sibling. My son for instance will stick up for his sister if he feels like she is being taken advantage of.

All the best

Monicka

Can't we all just get along??

Happy Friday Everyone

Cassie had a good rest last night and so far (knock on wood) seems to be coping with the jet lag really well. We had a nice lazy day at home, talking, drinking lots of tea and also watched a movie. I am really enjoying spending time with my best friend. Which brings me to the topic of today's blog,"Friendship and Asperger's"

I have read that most "Aspies" are not interested in forming any social connections, but I beg to differ. From everything that I have experienced with my daughter and other kids in her support group, is that they all would really like to fit in, the problem is they just don't know how. The movie Cassie and I watched was called Mozart and the Whale, which showed how important it is to connect with other people. No matter who we are we all need to feel like we belong. The characters in the film had problems forming friendships with others but find meaningful relationships with other Apies.

Anyone who refuses to give these kids a chance does not know what they are missing! Each child is unique and amazing in their own personal strengths and in the way they view the world. I truly believe that they are angels that are here to teach us all something. My fondest wish is that with all the airplay Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (hate that word by the way) has received recently, that the world will have a more positive view of the children and adults who are on the spectrum, and that can only be a good thing.

I found this incredible poem and emailed the woman who wrote it for permission to post her url on our blog. It is titled, "Plaint of the Aspie" I think you will find it as enlightning as Cassie and I did.




All the best

Monicka

Routine and security

In an hour, I leave home for my long journey to Canada to spend a couple of weeks with my dear friend and partner Monicka. I'm thrilled to be going to visit her - my only problem is I really hate travelling. It makes me extremely anxious - and I'm certain that it is because we moved around a lot when I was a kid. We left the UK when I was seven and travelled around Israel and then Ireland - often with nowhere to stay (yes I do mean homeless).

So I was interested to hear the other day from my friend Grant who is a trainee counsellor, that he had been learning about the psychology of small children and how important it is for them to have a stable physical environment. Toddlers and small children have so much to learn about the world around them, that they need as much stability as possible. Travelling on holidays is not necessarily a good thing for small kids, especially around the age when they start walking and venturing a little further from the security of their parents' arms. And moving house can be quite traumatic.

For children on the autism spectrum, routine and stability are even more important. Monicka tells me that her teenage daughter (who has Asperger Syndrome) eats exactly the same breakfast and lunch every day - and that if the Bran Flakes have run out it can upset her daughter's whole day.

Well that's me off on my scary plane flight now, and will be very glad when it is over and I'm safe and sound at home with Monicka. My next blog will be written in Canada!!!

cyberhugs,

Cassie

Non -verbal Communication

Happy Saturday Everyone

We all have good days and bad days and I am so blessed to have a very special friend that can always pick up on my moods without my saying a word. She can read me like a book, and all I have to do is listen to the tone in her voice and I will know if something is not right with her.

Sadly, a lot of children who are on the autism spectrum, such as my daughter are not born with this natural sense. Not to say that it can't be learned but it takes a lot of effort and I am always amazed when my daughter makes it a point to ask me if I am OK. My youngest son will pick up on my facial expression quite naturally, but my daughter needs to go out of her way to check in with how I am feeling. Eye contact is especially difficult for her but she always tries so hard to look people in the eye. Sometimes she is so intent on keeping eye contact with whomever she is listening to, it looks like she is looking right through you. Her speech therapist and I both advised her that it was OK to look away from time to time to give her eyes a bit of a rest and she is practicing that now.

I am thrilled with the fact that the talk shows are focusing on this disorder, which is increasing at an alarming rate. Up until now it was not given enough airplay and thanks to people like Larry King and Oprah that is slowly changing. Even Oprah said it was eye- opening for her and she was shocked that this was the first time she had ever featured a program on Autism in all the many years she was on television.

If you would like to know more about Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorders one of my favourite websites is, http://www.autismspeaks.org/

All the best

Monicka

What is autism?

Given the statistics that Monicka shared with you on the blog recently, it is fairly likely that your child will know someone with an autism spectrum disorder.

How can you explain something so complex to a child? They may have lots of questions if their classmate is Autistic.

To start, you can use the explanation that autism is something that some people are born with (not like an illness which you can catch) and which affects the child's brain - making it more difficult to communicate and interact with others.

Another characteristic common to many autistic children is "sensory overload" - things can look much brighter, and sounds can be much louder, to an autistic child.

Just a few simple explanations like that can help your child understand that it would be kind to go gently with their autistic classmate. To remember that the other child might not understand a frown or a smile, and so to speak clearly - in simple sentences and without complex social overtones that can be difficult to understand. At the same time, your child can realise that the autism spectrum child may also be very intelligent and be passionate about his or her interests.

And most of all, your child can learn to be kind, welcoming and tolerant to all other children, even if they are a little different - and to appreciate the diversity in their classroom!

Happy parenting,

Cassie

Latest Autism Stats

Happy Wednesday Everyone

I was gobsmacked when I found out the latest stats for Autism or Autism Spectrum disorders in the the U.S. according to the Autism Awareness newsletter.

* 1 in 150 births
* 1 to 1.5 million Americans
* Fastest-growing developmental disability
* 10 - 17 % annual growth
* Growth comparison during the 1990s(3):
o U.S. population increase: 13%
o Disabilities increase: 16%
o Autism increase: 172%
* $90 billion annual cost(4)
* 90% of costs are in adult services(4)
* Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention(4)
* In 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400 billion(5)

While the stats for Autism and Autism related conditions in Canada are still inconclusive according to the Autism Society of Canada website there are about 1 in 165 births and in the U.K. an estimated 1 in a 100 births.

The most shocking thing of all is that these numbers are increasing steadily and there is no apparent reason why. Kind of makes you wonder doesn't it???


All the best

Monicka

When You Know Better

When my youngest daughter was finally diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of thirteen, my first initial reaction was relief. Not because I wanted her to have a label pinned to her for the rest of her life, but more so because I finally had somewhere to turn. I had always suspected my daughter was not quite like other children but until the diagnosis I did not have a clue how to parent her. Suffice to say there were times when I just thought she was being stubborn and was not as patient and loving, as I should have been. Having never dealt with this in my other children it was all trial and error for me and I regret to say I did not always do the right thing when it came to my daughter.

The night of the diagnosis, I wept uncontrollably and felt totally inadequate as a parent. What if I did the wrong thing and didn’t help her to develop to her highest potential? I knew our lives would never be the same and I had to learn new ways to parent her in order to help her thrive.

This was all a bit daunting and a huge responsibility but I found so much support and information available to me that I knew in my heart we were going to be OK. I realized is better to know than to be in the dark when it comes to having your child diagnosed with Autism or an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

My daughter at fifteen is thriving and we are developing a great relationship. There are still days when I catch myself and have to reevaluate how I communicate with her because she is a teenager and that in itself has its challenges.

My advice to any parents who have children who have Autism or fall in the Autism spectrum is to learn everything you can. There are special programs that will help your child and also a lot of support for you and your family. To quote Maya Angelou, “When you know better, you do better.” Knowing is half the battle and will help ensure that you do the very best for your child.

Happy Parenting
Monicka

Goal Setting and Social Skills

Some children are natural socializers and fit in with other kids with ease - without even thinking about it.

But many are not so lucky. Shy kids, kids who have had to move a lot and in particular kids with some type of autism may find it difficult to interact with their peers.

For kids that have these kind of difficulties, it can feel sad, scary or even depressing to go to school, play with others at the park, or meet new people.

Goal setting can help with these problems as it can with many others. Encourage your child to take baby steps and set achievable goals. It might be a good idea to avoid goals that require a lot of input from others like "I'm going to have a best friend who will walk to school with me every day," or "I'm going to be voted president of my sports club," - rather, focus on what your child can achieve by taking baby steps towards better social skills all on his own. For instance, "I'm going to remember to give my three favorite people at school a big smile at least four times this week!"

Help your child develop his social skills with mini-goal setting like this and maybe in a year's time he really will be able to have the best friend he has been dreaming of!

Happy goal setting with your kids!

Cassie

Asperger Syngrome

As someone with no previous experience of Autism or Asperger Syndrome, I wanted to share this book with you all, because now that I have an "honorary niece" who has been diagnosed with Asperger's, I was SO glad that Monicka recommended I read it.

The book is called "Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome", and is a very personal account by a wonderful young man called Luke Jackson.

In the book, Luke writes in detail about experiencing adolescence when you're a kid with Asperger's, and it is both fascinating and endearing.

If there is someone important in YOUR life who has Asperger Syndrome, I would urge you to read this book, especially if they are approaching teenager-hood!

Cyberhugs,

Cassie

Theme for April

April is National Autism Awareness Month (NAAM)—an awareness initiative established in 1972 by the Autism Society of America (ASA)—and ASA’s national headquarters and its network of nearly 200 local chapters across the nation are preparing to increase autism awareness throughout the month.

In support of this great cause the theme for the blogs and newsletters for the month of April will be concerning Autism and Autism Spectrum disorders. Autism affects me on a personal level because my now fifteen-year-old daughter, was diagnosed with the Autism Spectrum Disorder,P.D.D./N.O.S / Asperger's, when she was 13.

Cassie and I would love to hear from any of the other Mom's or Dads out there whose children are affected by Autism or Autism Spectrum disorders.

All the best!!!

Happy Parenting