| There are many things that parents eagerly look | | | | individuals to learn to cope with their condition. The |
| forward to when they find out they are having a baby. | | | | therapy consists of teaching the child how to perform |
| Many expectant parents also begin panicking at the | | | | self-care, decrease the symptoms that are presented |
| thought that something may be wrong with their child. | | | | in autistic behavior and also how to acquire job or |
| In a perfect world there would be no children that are ill | | | | social skills. There is no one set treatment method |
| or have been diagnosed with a devastating condition. | | | | used to treat autistic individuals rather it is a |
| But this is not a perfect world and every day there | | | | combination of physical, occupational and psychological |
| are children and parents dealing with conditions that | | | | therapies that are used to help improve the person's |
| forever change their lives. Autism is one of these | | | | quality of life. |
| conditions that some parents must learn to deal with. | | | | How do doctors screen for autism? |
| Nothing is quite the same after the diagnosis comes in | | | | As mentioned above screening for autism starts with |
| from the doctor. An entire world changes just at the | | | | the parents. They are the ones that usually notice that |
| diagnosis, but there is hope for both the parents and | | | | something is "different" about their child. Perhaps it is |
| the child. In this article we will discuss what autism is | | | | that the child is not speaking when others his or her |
| and what can be expected after a diagnosis has been | | | | age have an extensive quality. It may be a lack of |
| made. | | | | physical interaction when other toddlers are clinging to |
| What is autism? | | | | their parents. |
| Autism is a brain disorder that causes children to use | | | | Doctors will look at all of these characteristics and |
| repetitive and restrictive behavior. It is usually | | | | perform tests of their own to determine whether or |
| diagnosed before the child is three years of age and it | | | | not the child has autism or has an autistic related |
| can mean a life of difficulty for both the parents and | | | | disorder such as Aperger syndrome. There are many |
| the child. Most parents realize something is different | | | | disorders that have autistic like qualities but are not |
| about their child during the first two years of life. | | | | technically autism. There are cases of autistic children |
| There may be a harsh reaction to normal stimuli that | | | | that have unusual skills such as memorization. |
| causes the parents to take a deeper look at their | | | | Is autism curable? |
| child's behavior. When a diagnosis is made then | | | | Unfortunately autism is not curable. Researchers are |
| treatment can begin with the parents working closely | | | | not even certain why some children develop autism |
| with the physician to help the child learn to cope with | | | | and some do not. There is thought that it is genetic on |
| autism. It is not an easy journey for any party that is | | | | a certain level. But for now a combination of physical, |
| involved. | | | | occupational and psychological therapy seems to help |
| How is autism treated? | | | | most autistic cases. |
| Autism is treated by a combination of different | | | | Many physicians will put the autistic individual on certain |
| methods. Many autistic individuals are given medication | | | | medications to relieve symptoms of depression or |
| such as psychoactive drugs or anticonvulsants. These | | | | aggressive behavior. The one thing about the therapy |
| drugs are usually prescribed for those that suffer from | | | | that is for sure is that it is very expensive. Most |
| depression or other mental disorders that require | | | | insurances do not cover the full treatment plan and |
| medication. | | | | parents must pay for some treatments out of pocket |
| Therapy seems to be the best way for autistic | | | | or have help from foundations. |