World Autism Awareness Day — April 2, 2014

April 2, 2013 across the Globe

The eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 3, 2014. Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.

The World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is on April, 02 every year. It was designated under by the United Nations General Assembly resolution "62/139. World Autism Awareness Day," adopted on December 18, 2007, proposed by Representatives of the State Qatar, and supported by all member states.

The World Autism Awareness Day Resolution had four main components: (1) the establishment of April 2 as WAAD, (2) participation of UN organizations, member states, NGOs and all private & public organizations in WAAD, (3) raise awareness of Autism on all levels in society, (4) Security-General should deliver this message to member states and all other UN organs.

How do I teach sexuality to a person with ASD?

Autism Awareness Centre Inc.

*Answer:* Teaching sexuality is often a daunting task whether you are a parent or professional. When it comes to ASDs, there is a two-fold problem: physical development is often typical while cognitive and social-emotional development are delayed and some sexual behaviours may be rooted in other causes such as sensory issues, rigid patterns of behavior, or the enjoyment of negative attention. You have to be a detective and investigate the reasons why sexual behavior is being exhibited; the cause may not be what it appears to be. For example, excessive touching of the genitals may ... more »

AT-HOME FITNESS TIPS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

More than half of the nation’s children with Autism are overweight. Being overweight can cause numerous problems such as: bone and joint issues as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This has influenced Suzanne M Gray, a fitness expert, to create exercise programs for individuals with autism.

Gray is the CEO of Right Fit Sport and Wellness Center in Willowbrook, IL, and has been creating fitness programs and working with individuals who have special needs for more than 30 years. She has seen how exercise improves an individuals’ motor skills, muscle tone, and socialization skills. Exercise is also beneficial in eliminating self-destructive and self- stimulating behaviors in children with Autism.

Her latest program, “Five to Stay Alive,” consists of at-home activities recommended for children with autism to help fight obesity. They include:

1. Around the Block. Create a neighborhood path for children to follow and have your child run this path a designated number of times per day. He/she could wear a pedometer to measure steps and calories and track progress.

2. Raise the Bar! You’re a Star! Start with a dowel rod and raise it over head and back down. Eventually this can be substituted for weight bars.

3. Chair Squats. This movement is required for most power moves of the lower extremities and most athletic events.

4. Push-ups. If your child is able, have them do a designated number of push- ups every day.

5. Jumping Jacks. Again, depending on where children are on the spectrum, will make a difference in how many they can do.

Chart all progress on a chart and keep track of repetition and loads. Offer incentives as motivators such as stickers or a fat-free dessert.

Kids with Autism benefit greatly from exercise. A structured routine is essential to see results. Another fitness tip is to combine music and play with exercise because it enhances the child’s sensory response while boosting independence, happiness and self-esteem. “The biggest benefit”, says Gray “is weight loss”. Be sure to check out Suzanne’s book, “101 Games and Activities for Youth with Autism”, and her DVD “Raising the Bar: Exercises for Youth and Adults with Autism”, for more information on fitness for individuals with Autism. To learn more about Suzanne Gray log on to www.right-fit.com.

Air travel made easier for children with autism

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (KARE) — Travel can be stressful for anyone, but for kids with autism, crowded airports and security screenings can be downright scary.

Since the beginning of the year, Minneapolis-St. Paul International has been part in a new program to help the kids prepare for air travel.

For the Nielsen family, the already overwhelming adventure at the airport brings additional worries... more >

What in the World is Going On April 2013 Edition

April is Autism Awareness month. April 2nd marks World Autism Day, which was created by the United Nations in 2008. Autism Speaks celebrates this day with their Light It Up Blue Campaign. Check out their blog which gives daily updates as they count down until April 2nd. See how people around the world are planning to light it up blue to raise autism awareness. And speaking of Autism Speaks, they just launched their Employment Tool Kit. The creation of the kit started back in June 2012 with an employment Think Tank which captured the current state of employment for adults with autism... more »

Autism Awareness Centre Inc.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day!

Today, throughout the world, individuals will come together highlighting the needs and dreams of people living with autism. Today, all of us at the Global Autism awareness honour and respect each individual living with autism for whom they are. We celebrate and honour parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, and other professionals who provide support and love to those living on the autism spectrum.

World Autism Awareness Day — April 2, 2013

April 2, 2013 across the Globe

The seventh annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 3, 2013. Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.

The World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is on April, 02 every year. It was designated under by the United Nations General Assembly resolution "62/139. World Autism Awareness Day," adopted on December 18, 2007, proposed by Representatives of the State Qatar, and supported by all member states.

The World Autism Awareness Day Resolution had four main components: (1) the establishment of April 2 as WAAD, (2) participation of UN organizations, member states, NGOs and all private & public organizations in WAAD, (3) raise awareness of Autism on all levels in society, (4) Security-General should deliver this message to member states and all other UN organs.

Kelly Preston: Yes, Jett Travolta had autism

Sara McGinnis
Nearly four years after her son’s death, Kelly Preston is finally opening up about the health issues Jett Travolta faced. From autism, and what she believes were contributing factors to his development of the disorder, to Kawasaki Syndrome and more, the actress sat down recently to talk with The Doctors.

“[Jett] was autistic. He had seizures and when he was very young, he had Kawasaki Syndrome,” Kelly Preston shared while filming an episode set to air Wednesday, Nov. 21. READ MORE >

Families Brace For Changes In Autism Diagnosis

By MAGALY OLIVERO, Conn. Health I-Team Writer | The Hartford Courant

Proposed changes to the official autism diagnosis are raising concerns among advocates and families with many fearing the new criteria will lead to a loss of services and a sense of identity for some high-functioning individuals with special needs.

"There's no question some people (on the autism spectrum) will lose services," said Dr. Fred Volkmar, an renowned expert on autism and director of the Yale Child Study Center. Volkmar was the lead author of a study that found that only 45 percent of those currently diagnosed with higher functioning forms of autism would meet the new criteria.

The concern has led a coalition of groups within the autism community to urge licensed clinicians worldwide to take part in an online research survey to gauge the impact of the new criteria, according to Katie Weisman, SafeMinds director of communications and policy. SafeMinds, the Holland Center and other organizations created the site: http://www.dsm5asdsurvey.org...  READ MORE >

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What are autism spectrum disorders: FAQs and information

NICHD
What is autism?

Autism is a complex developmental disability that causes problems with social interaction and communication. Symptoms usually start before age three and can cause delays or problems in many different skills that develop from infancy to adulthood.

What is an autism spectrum disorder?

Different people with autism can have very different symptoms. Health care providers think of autism as a “spectrum” disorder, a group of disorders with similar features. One person may have mild symptoms, while another may have serious symptoms. But they both have an autism spectrum disorder.

Currently, the autism spectrum disorder category includes:

+ Autistic disorder (also called “classic” autism)
+ Asperger syndrome
+ Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (or atypical autism)

In some cases, health care providers use a broader term, pervasive developmental disorder, to describe autism. This category includes the autism spectrum disorders above, plus Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett syndrome.

This Web site uses “autism spectrum disorder” and “autism” to mean the same thing.

What are the symptoms of autism?

The main signs and symptoms of autism involve problems in the following areas:

+ Communication - both verbal (spoken) and non-verbal (unspoken, such as pointing, eye contact, and smiling)
+ Social - such as sharing emotions, understanding how others think and feel, and holding a conversation
+ Routines or repetitive behaviors (also called stereotyped behaviors) - such as repeating words or actions, obsessively following routines or schedules, and playing in repetitive ways

The symptoms of autism can usually be observed by 18 months of age.

There are many possible red flags for autism - behaviors that may be signs or symptoms of autism. Some features may mean a delay in one or more areas of development, while others may be more typical of autism spectrum disorders. If you think your child shows red flags for autism, talk to your health care provider.

What are the treatments for autism?

There is no cure for autism, nor is there one single treatment for autism spectrum disorders. But there are ways to help minimize the symptoms of autism and to maximize learning.

Behavioral therapy and other therapeutic options

• + Behavior management therapy helps to reinforce wanted behaviors, and reduce unwanted behaviors. It is often based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
• + Speech-language therapists can help people with autism improve their ability to communicate and interact with others.
• + Occupational therapists can help people find ways to adjust tasks to match their needs and abilities.
• + Physical therapists design activities and exercise to build motor control and improve posture and balance.

Educational and/or school-based options

• + Public schools are required to provide free, appropriate public education from age 3 through high school or age 21, whichever comes first.
• + Typically, a team of people, including the parents, teachers, caregivers, school psychologists, and other child development specialists work together to design an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to help guide the child’s school experiences.

Medication options

• + Currently there are no medications that can cure autism spectrum disorders or all of the symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medications specifically for the treatment of autism, but in many cases medication can treat some of the symptoms associated with autism.
• + Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclics, psychoactive/anti-psychotics, stimulants, and anti-anxiety drugs are among the medications that a health care provider might use to treat symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.
• + Secretin—a hormone that helps digestion—is not recommended as a treatment for autism.

For more information about treatments, check out the What are the treatments for autism? section of the NICHD publication Autism Overview: What We Know.

Is autism more common in certain groups of people?

Three groups are at higher-than-normal risk for autism spectrum disorders, including:

• + Boys
• + Siblings of those with autism
• + People with certain other developmental disorders, such as Fragile X syndrome

Free PDF downloads on autism and ASDs

+ Autism Overview: What We Know
+ Autism and Genes
+ What to do the first 100 days of getting a diagnosis (Autism Speaks)
+ Una Breva Introduccion al Autismo: Lo Que Sabemos
+ El Autismo y los Genes
+ Rett Syndrome
+ El Síndrome de Rett
+ Families and Fragile X Syndrome

Read more: http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/what-are-autism-spectrum-disorders-faqs-and-information#ixzz218ZFtcdT

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net