Does your child suffer from autism?

Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain that becomes evident in early childhood.

If your child is autistic there will be an impairment of social interaction and communication, as well as unusual behaviors.

The symptoms of autism vary but are characterized by a difficulty in relating to people, objects, and events.

Your child may experience communication problems like a lack of eye contact or not being able to respond when his name is called.

Children who suffer from autism also usually have a fixation on specific subjects or toys as well as difficulty with changes to routine or surroundings. They usually have repetitive body movements like head banging or hand flapping.

While there are no established treatments for autism some medications do help. Antidepressants, stimulants, and antipsychotics are often used to manage the symptoms of associated disorders. Disorders associated with autism include attention deficit, hyperactivity, obsessions, compulsions, tics, irritability, seizures, and depression.

Some parents of children with a severe impairment have found that behavioral modification therapy helps them better manage their child. Psychotherapy, special education, and speech therapy is also used and recommended by many health professionals. Each child is different so it is wise to get more than one professional opinion on what treatment option is best for your particular child.

In my next post, I will look at some of the dietary changes that may be benefical for a child who suffers from autism.