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Autism Awareness Month Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Autism Awareness Month. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Eliminating the Source: What Causes Autism
from: Maxx Family LifeFinding a source of autism is the best way this disorder can be cured or prevented. Unfortunately, scientists haven't as yet discovered why children develop autism. There is the possibility that at some point in the future autism will be linked to a specific gene abnormality, however, the most likely source isn't one specific condition, but a number of factors. Autism can't be prevented or cured, so the best we can do to help autistic children and adults is to understand and be willing to compromise to make their world as comfortable as possible.
First of all, there are certain conditions that don't cause autism, and myths about the causes should be clarified immediately. It's important to understand that bad parenting isn't the cause autism. In the past, mothers were too often blamed for traumatizing their children with cold parenting techniques, which was thought to lead to autism. This simple isn't true. Autism isn't caused by malnutrition either, although food allergies occur in many autistic children and some benefit from taking daily vitamins.
There are many links between autism and the brain. Most people with autism have larger brains that are "wired" differently than a typical brain. Differences occur in many parts of the brain, so it can't be targeted to one specific brain malfunction overall, but rather a brain malfunction in general. Autistic children also show signs of an immune deficiency. Evidence in this study isn't yet strong, however research is still ongoing. Many autistic individuals have other health problems related to immune deficiencies.
Overall, the evidence seems to point to genetics. Although autism isn't the parents' fault, it's most likely that autism was found elsewhere in the family tree, and it's not uncommon for parents to raise more than one autistic child. Autism may also be linked to vaccinations, although this possibility is still being studied. The benefits of vaccinations greatly outweigh the risks of them causing autism, so, until there's positive proof, you shouldn't deprive your child because you're fearful. Talk to you doctor if you have concerns about vaccinations.
The bottom line is that nobody really knows what causes autism. Therefore, there's nothing we can do to prevent and cure it, but we can only treat autistic people in our lives as best we can. It definitely helps to become as educated in autism as you can -- the more you know about the disorder, the better you can help individuals who suffer from it. Autism is a complex problem, and as researchers search for new understandings of the way it affects the body, better treatment options will become available, with the hope that someday we'll be able to find a cure for this disease.
Autism Awareness Month News
Letter to the Editor: Drive For Autism Foundation thanks donors
To the Editor: The Drive for Autism Foundation would like to thank a few individuals and organizations for taking an active role in recognizing April as National Autism Awareness month and contributing to its fundraising efforts. The New Providence School...
Read more...Special Learning, Inc. Promotes Global Autism Awareness with Complimentary Educational Product Giveaway
The global special needs resource provider is giving away a free downloadable e-book to spread knowledge of autism globally. (PRWeb June 04, 2013) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/globalautismawareness/prweb10799763.htm
Read more...Minority children with autism less likely to get care for complications, says study
Researchers saw racial disparities among children diagnosed with autism when it came to seeing specialists like gastroenterologists
Read more...Retiring autism coordinator sees Growth of Awareness
Expert has about 40 years in the field
Read more...Early Autism Project, Inc. Founders Named Ernst & Young Southeast Entrepreneurs Of The Year®
SUMTER, S.C., June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Early Autism Project, Inc., (EAP), a leading provider of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy to children who have autism spectrum disorders, today announced ...
Read more...Panera Bread Donates $6,000 to VIA for New Playground
Children at the Virginia Institute of Autism are a little closer to getting a new special needs playground thanks to a recent donation.
Read more...