This article describes the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to document unusual brain structures in children with autism.
The authors use brain imaging in order to better understand the underlying neurobiology (effect on the brain) of autism. They found that children with autism have structural abnormalities in that portion of the brain known as the “social brain.” MRIs of monkeys and normal subjects have found that the social brain processes biological movements including movements of the eyes, mouth, hands, and body. They discuss studies that suggest the social brain is involved in successful imitation of and human voice perception, both of which are essential skills for interpersonal communication. The authors conclude that the structural abnormalities documented in their research are consistent with poor eye contact during communication and difficulty reading body language that have been noted in children with autism.
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How To Manage Temper Tantrums Of Children With Autism
Nov 22, 2008 by AnonymousChildren with autism have temper tantrum problems - also called a meltdown, when it happens, they throw themselves on the floor, crying, screaming and kicking as a means of getting across that things are "not right". Normal kids have temper tantrums too, but it's not so difficult to deal with as autistic children. Here's some tips for parents on how to tame "temper tantrum"-like behaviors of children with autism, which also work for normal kids.
1. Transfer the child's attention. When the child shows signs of a tantrum, try to attract his attention to something else that he would be interested in.
2. Ignore the tantrum. For a preschooler, ignore his tantrum but stay where he can see you; for a older child, tell him to return to his own room after he calms down.
3. Control yourself. Set a good example for your child, even in a tantrum, the child is learning from you.
4. Avoiding injury is the top priority during a meltdown. If the child starts to hurt himself or others, you must intervene and move the child to an safer place.
5. Describe the tantrum behavior to your child with "you lost control", not "you are too bad".
6. Find chances to give lavish praise for the appropriate behaviors. Once the child stops the tantrum, praise him for the next appropriate behavior.
7. You can comfort the child, but don't satisfy any unreasonable demands of them.
8. Avoid meltdowns in public places, people who don't know that your child is on autism spetrum will make presumptions about your parenting skills.
Hope these tips are helpful for controlling temper tantrums of autistic children.
Take care,
Sneh
My Favorite Links:
For discounted blood and labwork, MRI, etc: http://tinyurl.com/6fxdjm
What not to eat: http://www.feingold.org/
Different alternative treatments [most comprehensive- pl. read carefully]: www.quickdoctors.com
CST: http://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php
Neurofeedback Therapy : http://www.neuropathways.com/index.html
Yoga-Meditation: http://www.divyayoga.com/freePranayamTraning.htm
Denial?
Oct 25, 2006 by AnonymousI wondered how I could miss the signs? I had two boys and they were all close in age. My oldest was three when Katie was born. Was I too busy to notice....maybe.
I don't remember talking to her much as a baby, she was just in tow while I cared for the others....maybe I didn't play enough games with her.....I quickly looked at past albums and some videos. She smiled and made eye contact....oh, there we were are all giggling together on the floor. There she is in her footsie pajamas at the gate watching me in the kitchen....
No, she wasn't ignored, as a matter of fact she was mommy's girl. She was such a good baby, would watch TV quietly or play with a set of crayons while I cleaned the house. She carried a blanket around and did this funny thing, she'd run it through her fingers and sometimes her toes. She's line up her crayons but would not color with them. She loved the teletubby figurines, but really just lined them up as well. And she loved to sit in boxes. Oh yea, and when we were outside, she'd lay on the ground and look up, I figured she was just taking it all in.
I can't even bear to ask friends if they ever noticed or had concerns. What could they have said...she was still a toddler.
OH, and the pediatrician. Wonderful man, but I hear this happens often..... I mention she's not talking or waving hi...he suggests to just give it time. Was he right? Sure he could have been, how many kids have burst of development making up for delays....lots....but a few more questions during our visit and he would have seen she may have had traits that might have suggested autism. Autism just began exploding up here at the time, I know it wasn't on his radar.
I had no time to beat myself up trying to figure out the why's. Truth is, we diagnosed her early enough. Was it shots, was it diet or genetics...who cares, just gotta fix it. Now, as a precaution, I don't get her combined MMR vaccines, we will do it separately. And flu shot...they have mercury free now....but you have to ask. Is it the Mercury, don't know, but know Mercury isn't good for you and I don't want to risk it.
Until Katie was nearly 3 she woke up nightly because of gas. During the same time we found out about the autism we did a lower GI, perhaps that would be it, and then we could fix it. The scope was clean, her intestines a beautiful and perfect pink (I couldn't believe he showed me the pictures). But, even still, we tried the Gluten-Casein free diet...which is very hard, but to no avail. She just grew out of it. But I know many kids that have similar issues and respond to the diet....I feel it's better to explore all options, just in case you hit the nail on the head!
It wasn't about chasing causes, but really trying to eliminate them. The only thing I didn't do was test for fragile X or do an MRI. She really didn't show anything that suggested either was appropriate. When I asked the doctor what we might do differently if she had fragile X, she said nothing. I knew a mother of children with fragile X....Autism was fine for me right now.