With one in 68 children currently being diagnosed with some form of autism, it’s very clear that it is here to stay. Eventually those autistic children grow up, fall in love, and hopefully find the right partner and get married. With proper treatment from an autism specialist, an adult on the autism spectrum can lead ...
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Halloween is just around the corner and just about every family is getting ready to celebrate with costumes, candy and festivities. But for families that have a child facing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it can be overwhelming. A child with ASD might be in for anxiety and more when they’re exposed to more interaction with others, sounds and visuals that they’re unaccustomed ...
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Swimming is a favorite summer activity of almost all children, and it’s a popular way to beat the heat. But water safety concerns are particularly heightened for families of children with autism. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children on the autism spectrum. But there’s no need to keep your autistic child out of the pool. Ask ...
Continue Reading →The results of a new study have shown that brain activity among autistic children is significantly more active while at rest than that of non-autistic children—on average, 42%. The study, which was published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroinformatics, was a followup to a previous finding that brain connections are different in autistic children. The results showed that autistic children’s brains generate much more information than those of non-autistic children.
The researchers believe this finding offers a scientific explanation for the ...
Continue Reading →Upon receiving an autism diagnosis, a child is referred to an autism specialist and treated with behavioral therapy, dietary changes and sometimes medication. The process can be stressful and confusing to the child. But in addition to the diagnosed children, their parents also tend to experience high levels of stress. They may feel depressed, isolated and helpless. Parents of autistic children often benefit from sessions at a counseling center as well.
A new study suggests a particular kind of ...
Continue Reading →Autism is no longer considered a rare disorder. With about one in 88 children now being diagnosed, the quest to find the cause continues. According to the results of a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, women who gain more weight than average during pregnancy tend to have a higher risk of having an autistic child.
But researchers stress that it is not the weight gain itself that causes the autism, nor does a woman’s weight before she gets pregnant ...
Continue Reading →Recently, a review article was published in the Harvard Review of Psychology indicating that the use of the hormone oxytocin may be beneficial in treating both autism and schizophrenia. The article was especially exciting for autism specialists and parents of autistic children who have been told that there are few treatment options for autism. While the research that has been done is promising overall, much more information will have to be gathered before any real benefit can be determined.
Many ...
Continue Reading →Posted by: Lawrence V. Tucker, M.D.
According to a review article in the September Harvard Review of Psychiatry, the hormone oxytocin may play a role in autism treatment, as well as the treatment of schizophrenia. While the evidence is still in its preliminary stages, it is encouraging. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide hormone, most known for its role in initiating labor and breast milk flow in pregnant women. The news is exciting for autism specialists and other mental health therapists who specialize ...
Continue Reading →Posted by: Lawrence V. Tucker, M.D.
As autistic children grow into adults, they face more challenges than their peers who are not on the autism spectrum. About 50,000 youths with autism will become adults this year, and for most, finding a job and a place to live will bring a set of struggles. Although we’ve made progress with autism treatment in our society, there is still much more we can do to help these young adults be more independent.
Two newly published studies on the subject ...
Continue Reading →The world of child psychiatry is abuzz with news of a recent study that may link induced labor to an increased risk of autism. Since doctors and scientists have been on a continuous quest to find the cause, the findings from this study may be beneficial.
The study was conducted by researchers at Duke University and the University of Michigan and published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The conclusion was reached after researchers reviewed birth records of 625,000 ...
Continue Reading →Autism can lead to some lonely days for your child. Children with autism and Asperger’s syndrome often want to make friends, but lack the natural social skills necessary to do so. This can lead to withdrawal and antisocial behavior. That, coupled with other unusual behavior, can make them a target of bullying. With an estimated 4500 autistic children under the age of 18 in Dallas, this can lead to a lot of lonely kids.
The good news is that it’s ...
Continue Reading →Posted by: Lawrence V. Tucker, M.D.
After your child has been diagnosed with autism, the next step is getting them in to see a general psychiatrist who specializes in treating neurodevelopmental disorders and working with troubled youth. Their psychiatrist may or may not prescribe medication, but they will definitely work with your child on overcoming their obstacles and controlling their behavior. After awhile, you will most likely see marked improvement, especially if your child was diagnosed young and started treatment right away.
You may consider stopping ...
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