How to Recognize the Signs of Autism

Infants as young as 12 months old can display indicators of autism. These signs are sometimes difficult to distinguish, and parents might confuse them with hearing problems. Some babies might actually have hearing loss or may simply be late-bloomers, but if your child is showing certain autistic red-flags, you should request an evaluation from your pediatrician. Your doctor can evaluate your baby at each well child check and track her progress. The official autism screening occurs when your child is at least 16 months old. Early diagnosis is important to the child's development.

Steps

Identify Signs of Autism in Infants

1. Note your baby's first smile. By 6 months old, he should be expressing happiness and smiling when he feels joyful.
   
2. Observe their other facial expressions. By 9 months old, they should be interacting with others by displaying certain expressions like grimacing, pouting and grinning to fit their mood.
   
3. Listen to your baby. By the time he is 1 year old, expect babbling. The noise might not make any sense. It is common for babies to make repetitive sounds, but he should be practicing different formations of noises and rhythms on his tongue.
   
4. Examine your child's movements at 12 months. She should begin making gestures. Many babies start waving bye-bye and pointing to objects they want. Place a toy out of her reach to see if she will reach for it.
   
5. Talk to your baby all throughout the day. Although he probably won't comprehend every word you speak, he will pick up bits and pieces of meaning. He should begin saying his own words by 16 months. Some common first words are "uh-oh," "dada," "mama," and "doggie."
   
6. Listen for groups of 2 or more words by the time your baby is 2. She should be able to put at least 2 words together on her own without copying another person's voice. The phrases should make sense.
   
7. Pay attention to speech regression. Some infants meet their milestones and then lose skills at an older age.
   

Identify Signs of Autism in Older Children

1. Observe your child's interaction with others. Autistic children may not develop friendships with peers. They sometimes lack empathy and do not react to others' feelings. It is normal for autistic children to be uninterested in other people's joy and accomplishments.
   
2. Notice the child's nonverbal communication skills. Lack of eye contact and facial expressions could be a sign of autism.
   
3. Pay attention to your child's verbal communication. Difficulty beginning or continuing a conversation might be another indicator. Autistic children may repeat phrases over and over, and almost half of people diagnosed never speak at all.
   
4. Note if your child focuses on certain pieces of a whole instead of the object itself. For example, she might fixate on one physical piece of a dollhouse instead of playing with the entire house.
   
5. Determine whether your son is obsessed by a particular topic. Fascination with one topic, like computer games or license plates, may be a warning sign.
   
6. Examine your child's routine. Many autistic children have a hard time breaking their routine. For example, your daughter might insist on sitting in the same chair at dinner each night or she might insist on eating her foods in a particular order.
   

Sources and Citations

• http://www.autismspeaks.org/whatisit/learnsigns.php#redflags
  
• http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-symptoms
  

ðe:Wie man Autismus erkennt
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How to Explain Autism to Children

Sometimes it is difficult to explain to young children what autism is, which can be frustrating when a new brother or sister, or classmate has the condition. This article will provide you which some ideas on how to approach this topic with your child.

Steps

1. If the child is going to have a new brother or sister with the condition, try and sit them down with you quietly. Talk to your child's teacher if a new classmate has autism or Asperger's Syndrome; it would perhaps be best to hold a class discussion, as children usually respond well to this approach as a group.
   
2. Explain first that it is wrong to tease or make fun of people because they are different before leaping straight into the subject. It may confuse the child and make them less likely to take in what you're saying.
   
3. Explain why their new brother/sister/classmate will act slightly different, and tell them that the other child may be quiet, or may not want to play with them or talk to them a lot, but that it doesn't mean that they are being nasty. Explain that it's just the way they are.
   
4. Ask the child to repeat what you have said back to you, and encourage them to ask questions that they have to you.
   

Tips

• The child may be curious, so it is best to talk to them about it before they become inquisitive to the child in question, which may turn awkward.
  
• Be honest when answering their questions about the condition.
  
• Make sure you have an understanding of the topic before you discuss it with your child, do your research.
  

Warnings

• Don't explain the genetics behind Autism, only the behaviour, or the child will become confused.
  
• Your child may be compelled to go ask questions to the child in question. Discourage this gently, unless you know that the autistic child will not mind talking about it.
  
• Try not to overplay the importance of giving the child space, this may lead your child to believe that the Autistic child should be avoided completely, leaving him or her feeling isolated. Encourage your child to talk to him or her, should he or she want to talk or ask questions.
  

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How to Treat Autism

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are developmental disabilities that cause considerable impairments in social interplay and communication and the existence of atypical behavior and preoccupation. An ASD begins before the age of 3 and lasts a person's lifetime. Those who suffer from ASDs respond differently to stimulus, and have very dissimilar ways of learning. The reasoning and comprehension abilities of people with ASDs can vary from gifted to severely challenged. Autism is included in this group of disorders. This article will provide information to assist you in the treatment of autism.

Steps

1. Seek professional help. There is no medical examination for ASDs. Health care providers rely on behavioral symptoms of a child during routine checkups. There are screening tests that can also be done during these visits. If your child's doctor does not regularly screen your child, ask that he/she do so.
   
2. Understand that every child with autism is different. Appropriate treatment should meet with individual needs.
   
3. Be aware that some parents may use regimens not commonly advocated by their child's doctor to assist the symptoms of autism. These treatments are called complementary and alternative treatments. The following is a list of treatments that fit this category and examples of what they may involve:
   
   • Energy therapy - reiki, acupuncture, Therapeutic Touch
     
   • Alternative medical systems - aromatherapy, homeopathy
     
   • Manipulative and body-based method - deep pressure, acupressure, hydro massage
     
   • Mind-body intervention - auditory integration, meditation, dance therapy
     
   • Biologically based therapy - using herbs, special diet, and vitamins
     
4. Know that there is no magic elixir that will cure autism. There are medicines that can help in the treatment of autism symptoms. The following is a list of symptoms that can be helped with medication:
   
   • Severe outburst of anger
     
   • Aggression
     
   • Elevated energy level
     
   • Self-injurious behavior
     
   • Inability to concentrate
     
   • Depression
     
   • Seizures
     
5. Consult with your health care provider to ensure your child is receiving the proper treatments for his/her individual needs.
   

Video

Michael Davis, MD, pediatrician, talks about autism in children, as well as autism treatments.

Tips

• Some parents feel a change in their child’s diet will improve how the child feels or behaves.
  
• ASDs can be detected as early as 18 months.
  
• ASDs include autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder (including atypical autism), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions have similar symptoms, but are dissimilar in terms of when the symptoms begin, their severity, and the exact causes of the symptoms.
  
• Early detection of developmental delays and beginning intervention services quickly can better outcomes and assist a child in attaining his/her possibility for achievement.
  
• Always maintain a close and open communication with your child's pediatrician.
  
• Remember that ASDs cannot usually be cured, and will remain with child for their lifetimes. Also remember that just because the child has an ASD, it makes them no less aware of what is happening, and does not make them physically different in any way. Try to treat them like normal people, help them when they need it, and never let them look at it as a disorder, until they are old enough to undertsand this. Instead, show them it can be as much of an advantage as a disadvantage
  
• Keep in mind that many brilliant, famous people have Autistic Spectrum Disorders, including Albert Einstien and Thomas Edison.
  
• It may be beneficial to try to introduce them to acting, and to other Autistic people. Acting will help work on their social skills, and meeting others with similar difficulties may help them to perceive the world in a brighter way, or give them a coping method.
  
• ASD children often have extremely bad tempers from a young age, so if your child has temper issues, or you are worried your child has an ASD, start teaching them coping methods from a young age.
  

Warnings

• Children with ASDs may also have epilepsy or mental retardation.
  
• Some children with ASDs have psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression.
  
• Some children with ASDs may have attention deficits, sensory concerns, sleep difficulties, and gastrointestinal upset.
  
• Support neurodiversity. Do not completely treat autism - keep the rare gifts that they have. It is much better to accept an autistic person than to cure them completely.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Help a Family Member Who Has Autism or Asperger Syndrome
  
• How to Handle Your Child's Temper Tantrum
  
• How to Enhance Learning for an Autistic Child
  

Sources and Citations

• http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.htm
  
• http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/overview.htm
  
• http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/faq.htm
  

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How to Talk to Someone with Autism

People with autism may appear intimidating to others, but this guide will help you talk to them.

Steps

1. Avoid eye contact. Most autistic people don't make eye contact, and may feel uncomfortable if you try to force them to do so. Having to make eye contact may also make it harder for an autistic person to speak.
   
2. Don't get too personal. If you have questions about autism, it's okay to ask, but asking about a person's symptoms is rude. Don't ask an autistic person anything that you wouldn't feel comfortable asking a non-autistic person.
   
3. Avoid physical contact. Most autistics are very sensitive to touch, and even a friendly pat on the back can be painful. Once you know a particular autistic person well, they may be more open to being touched, but you should still be cautious, and be especially careful not to startle them.
   
4. Try to be understanding. Someone with autism will most likely come across as somewhat odd, or even rude, when you try to talk to them. This is because autistics don't understand the social cues that normal people use to communicate. Most autistic people have trouble understanding sarcasm and humor, and may get confused or frustrated if you don't mean exactly what you say. If you're talking to someone with autism and they start acting strangely, try to figure out if they've misunderstood something you've said, or perhaps you misunderstood them.
   
5. Find some common ground. Most autistics have a few topics that they're particularly interested in, and they will always be willing to talk about those things.
   
6. Don't wait for the autistic person to start a conversation. Most autistics have trouble starting conversations, and might not pick up on the clues that you want to talk to them. If you want to talk to someone who has autism, just go and do it! Don't worry if it seems awkward, most autistics won't notice that anyway.
   
7. Finishing the conversation might be a little awkward, too. If you've started talking to an autistic person about something they're interested in, they might be so busy talking about it that they miss the signs that you're getting bored, or they might not understand the signs even if they do see them. On the other hand, if you're talking about something that doesn't interest them, they might not know how to change the subject or let you know that they'd rather go do something else. Some autistics will solve the latter problem by simply walking away; remember that the autistic person might not know of any better way to end the conversation. If you're the one who's ready to leave, don't beat about the bush. Remember that subtle clues aren't going to work. You don't have to make a scene or get rude, just get their attention and let them know that you have other things to do right now.
   

Warnings

• 1. Avoid "Wh" questions such as Why, When, Who, and Where. Autistic people, especially children, usually find these questions intimidating.
     
  2. If you can tell that the individual is getting more and more stressed or anxious as you are talking to them LEAVE, come back later. They had enough stimulation for now, they are overloaded and need some peace. Autistics don't filter out things the same way as most people do and if they are overstimulated enough they could have a "stress attack" or "melt down." This does not mean that they don't like you, it just means they had enough for the day.
     

Related wikiHows

• How to Make Friends in Middle School
  
• How to Meet People from Other Schools
  
• How to Get Other People to Be Nice to You
  
• How to Make Friends With the Popular People As a "Peasant" 

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How to Cope on Days When You Feel Like Hanging Yourself

Getting through the life's darker periods takes a lot of courage and effort. Focusing on achievable goals is one way to a better life. Getting energized and empowered by your achievements is the key to getting out of your depression.

Steps

1. Give yourself plenty of time to figure out how to turn your life around. Many people have been in your situation. All those who tried, found their individual solution. Your solution to this problem will be also highly individual. Make an effort to solve this problem by giving yourself time and by talking to other people about this problem. A solution to your problem may not be obvious, but it exists!
2. The right way to assess your condition is "depression". People have been dealing with depressions for ages. They have found their individual solutions with the help of their relatives, friends, and professional advisors. Talk about your depression to whoever you find comfortable talking with about it.
3. One way to think about your depression is that you are bleeding energy (so that your energy level is depressed). The main issue that you should address is how to get the level of your energy back up. Focus on how to get more energy in and less out.
4. What are some reasons for your energy to flow out? It may be negative feelings towards people (relatives, friends, teachers, enemies) or things (school, subjects, projects). It is very important to get to the reasons for your loss of energy.
5. Once you figure out what the causes are, focus on trying to improve your attitudes towards them. Even if a person hurt you in the past, try to you improve your relationship with that person. If a subject is a source of constant pain, can someone (such as a teacher or a friend) help change your attitude towards the subject?
6. Think about ways to get yourself energized. What do you enjoy doing? What gives you the most satisfaction? Do you like to cook or to help your friends or to play with your dog? If you were not pressured by your circumstances, what would you be doing the whole day? Think carefully about it and spend more time doing these things.
7. Thus, the key is to improve your attitudes to things that you hate and to spend more time doing things that you enjoy doing.
8. Also remember that your friends and family love you, it may not feel as if they do, but they care for you, and most of the time they just want to help you get through this.

Tips

• Remember that it will take quite a bit of time for you to figure out what these things are and to change your attitudes and time patterns. Getting out of a depression is a slow process of restoring your energy. It is very similar to getting cured from a serious desease. So, do not expect a speedy recovery, but take it one day at a time.
• Watch out for and be thankful (to yourself) for any minor improvements in your condition. By the end of your depression, you will have learned to help yourself, which is what life is all about.
• One thing: sometimes antidepressants are the answer. There's no shame in it; should diabetics be ashamed of needing insulin? Depression is a disease, and for some people, it's organic; it could be that your brain produces the wrong amounts of certain chemicals. If talk therapy doesn't work for you, ask your mental health professional about antidepressants.

Warnings

• In a severe case of depression, you may at times feel suicidal. If this is ever the case, please call a suicide support line such as 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), your local information and referral hotline, or go to your local emergency room.
• Remember that suicide is illegal in some countries. In theory this means you would get arrested if/ when you fail a suicide attempt. However in western cultures you are more likely to be seen by a mental health worker than by the police.

Related wikiHows

• How to Cope with Depression
• How to Be Thankful
• How to Deal With Teenage Depression and Nostalgia
• How to Deal With Severe Clinical Depression
• How to Help Someone With Depression
• How to Know if You Have Depression

Sources and Citations

• http://www.suicide.org/
• http://www.save.org/depressed/thoughts.html

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How to Be Mentally and Emotionally Strong

Do you hate it when someone puts you down, and then just walks away, leaving you in suspense? Do you always give in to EVERYTHING people tell you to do? Are you a doormat? Or do you just feel weak inside? Do you feel that you are always misunderstood or nothing you do is ever right?If so, read this article:

Steps

1. When someone says an offense to you, try tensing your muscles. This makes you feel physically strong, thus giving the mental affect that you are strong.
2. Try to acknowledge and accept your emotions. When you'll be able to do that, you'll be able to change them as well.
3. When you're in an uncomfortable situation or just not feeling well, try the ABC technique below the steps.
4. When they say something that hurt you, try to give witty or (possibly) pointless come-backs which will leave them hanging on a thread, maybe a bit confused.
5. Laugh it off. It makes you feel better and other people usually don't know how to react.
6. If you are one of those people who tends to ACTUALLY punch people, then imagine your wrist is chained to your side, and instead of physically punching them, do it in your head.
7. Do the opposite of what your emotions are telling you to think, therefore making you more in control.
8. If you are on the verge of starting a fight, imagine how you'd feel if it was done to you. It's obvious you'd rather NOT have your nose bleeding, or something similar.

ABC Technique

Think about:

1. Your situation at the moment/What happened/etc. and try to be as objective as possible. Once you've done that, call it A.
2. Your thoughts about the situation. Be careful: not your emotions, but your thoughts. Call them B.
3. Your negative emotion(s) and reaction(s) that originated from your thoughts. Call it C.

When you're done, focus on your B. You cannot modify the situation, but can change your emotions through your thoughts. A simple example:

1. A: My examination didn't go well.
2. B: I could've done better, should have studied more, I'm so angry.
3. C: Anger, frustration.
   
   • B1: Oh well, my next exam will go better.
   • C1: Relief, optimism.

Not all situations can be handled this easily of course; this method though, helps you understand your emotions and change your reaction to many stressful situations.

Tips

• Always test these methods out on the person who made you look at this page in the first place, because your emotions won't be fooled if your friend is helping you.
• Try thinking of your eyes as vacuums, pulling the tears back if you do start crying.
• If you still knock people around, seek professional help. That's not insecurity, it's violence.

Warnings

• This may not work every time. Remember, practice makes perfect!
• Don't use these methods on children if you're an adult. They may not understand, and it could upset them.

Related wikiHows

• How to Be Mentally Strong
• How to Be the Strong Silent Type
• How to Do Mental Health Anti Psychiatry Activism
• How to Have More Endurance
• How to Be Fearless

TO FIND OU MORE CLICK HERE:
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How to Improve Your Mental and Physical Skills

A lot of websites, books and articles give suggestions as to how to improve yourself as a person or how to improve your physical health and image. This guide shows how to improve both simultaneously.

Steps

1. Make a list of things you like about yourself and things you don't. Honestly acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses. Read both lists together, and identify ways that you can apply your strengths to help correct your imperfections. (i.e. Strength: Great taste in music. Weakness: Don't like to exercise. Perhaps you can combine the two activities by listening to new or favorite music while you work out). Don't be afraid to experiment. Search the web for ideas. Ask friends. Try several things until you find a solutions that is "you".
2. Exercise daily for a least half-an-hour. This will also help you mentally by relieving stress and releasing bodily chemicals to make you feel genuinely good.
3. Try making a new friend everyday. By doing so, you will increase brain activity and also have the opportunity to do physical activities with your friend such as sports or a night on the town.
4. 
   
5. Love yourself! Remember that you are beautiful person inside and out and that you are always a work in progress - just like everyone else.

Warnings

• Don't lose yourself. Keep that list of things you like about yourself handy and be sure not to compromise those things.

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