Autism is a condition that is first diagnosed at an early age. In most cases by the time a child turns three a conclusive diagnosis would have already been made. Autism causes mental retardation and neurological disorders. As such, the affected person would experience great difficulty in comprehending or reacting to situations. There is no doubt that living with autism is a complex and emotional matter.

At first, it may seem very difficult to face the harsh reality especially once they understand the gravity of the situation. However, once the initial stage passes family members who are living with an autistic person would accept the situation and even slowly learn to understand it.

Families need to learn how to deal with autism and continue to live an ordinary life rather than be stressed out. After the initial outburst, parents need to educate themselves better by keeping in mind a child’s requirements. After this, physicians and pediatricians recommend several tests, medication and therapies.

These are all very important and allow the child to live a good life and contest the disease from an early age. Regular tests determine whether an autistic person’s situation has worsened or become better. These tests help understand the thought an autistic individual has and the mode of expression they are comfortable with. These sessions and therapies do not revolve around the patient alone, as parents are required to undergo counseling as well.

This helps parents understand their children’s behavioral pattern and sign language usage. From a child’s gestures family members can learn to interpret what the child is talking about or what they want at that moment. Parents are also encouraged to interact with others living with autism on a regular basis.

This helps people share their experiences with others who are faced with a similar situation. This sort of interaction also helps them understand that they are not the only ones who are dealing with this difficult condition and allows them to put their trust and faith in a group that wholly understands their situation.

First and foremost it is important that people realize, autism is an absolute condition and does not have any guaranteed and miraculous cure. Accepting this situation, makes living with autism a lot simpler.

Once people accept this situation they acquire strength from their hope and can care for their children in the best possible manner. There are numerous resources and support groups that help families grasp and deal with autism, which is essential both for parents and children.

Life after high school can be a very confusing and difficult phase in any young person’s life, even more if the person is autistic. An autistic person will surely be very confused and may even be oblivious about the importance of this period in their lives but they do realize that something is about to change.

Since life after high school is a crucial time to make decisions regarding the future and career prospects, it is the duty of parents and caretakers to ensure that the autistic child does not feel left out. The truth is, with proper guidance and care they would be able to deal with the situation very well.

It is important to make them realize that career options for non autistic individuals are different. Once they accept this fact they would be more than happy to choose from their list of things to do. Life after high school changes in many aspects. The kids are allowed to go out freely, parties, spending nights at a friends place and even moving out of the house on their own.

During this period kids are more conscious about the opposite sex, apart from being very aware about what they want to do next. During this period it is very important to be attentive towards an autistic child’s curiosity. At no point should they be discouraged from doing what they want to do.

This does not imply that they should be permitted to do as they please, but at this stage it is important to explain to them the realities of life. If an autistic child expresses desire to move out of the house after high school it is important to explain to them what a suggestion like that means.

Every request or desire expressed should be dealt with immediately rather than being avoided. It is important to let them realize that life after high school changes in many aspects and get them prepared for such situations. After high school the child needs to be aware of his/her condition. It is important to explain to them that they need to be cared for as much as their independence is important.

Adults need to make arrangements that will permit kids to spend time out like their friends. This allows them to do all the things that they expect to do after high school while at the same time being under supervision. Their wants however are never as many as those of non autistic kids, since autistic children go to special schools and interact with peers just like themselves.

However this does not make them ignorant about life after high school, and parents, caregivers and counselors need to find alternatives that keep them happy.

Alternative medicine is purely a therapeutic practice which is not considered to be part of the conventional medical practice. Their success in treating illnesses, diseases and conditions do not hold any biomedical explanation. However certain therapies, diets and herbal remedies have shown to have had amazing effects on patients whose conventional medicine had failed. Autism is a condition where there is no cure but certain alternative methods have shown that some degree of improvement can be seen in autistic people from the use of alternative medicine.

Alternative healing therapies are viewed as effective methods that help improve many inadequacies that are a result of autism. Energy therapy affects a child’s electro magnetic energetic field. Neural Transmission Repatterning helps treat Autism Spectrum by working upon cellular biology and chemistry of the body and brain. This helps restructure, combine, restore and re-pattern neural pathways that help develop and stabilize electrical transmission of the brain. This results in coalition or assimilation of motor skills.

Multimodal approaches revolve around special diets. This includes a low allergenic, gluten and dairy free diet; definite food supplements such as Vitamin B, magnesium, essential fatty acids and others. This dietary changes help balance the body’s system. Alternative and complementary therapies that are recommended for autism are special diets and chelation. Cranio-sacral, music, auditory integration, sensory integration and hypnotherapy are recommended in cases of autism.

A large number of alternative treatments have been a part of many arguments since the 1990’s. The Internet played a very important part in educating parents regarding the possibility of opting for alternative medicine. This is because specialists who can offer alternative treatment are few in comparison to mainstream autism specialists. Since the acceptance is lower it is obvious that positive testimonials are fewer. However this does not stop people from trying alternative medicine.

This can be justified by two reasons, firstly parents feel an urgency and responsibility to provide the best they can for their children. Secondly since the effectiveness of conventional medicines for autism is not wholly conclusive, parents are willing to try alternate medicine.

At times alternate medicine includes the use of usual drugs in autism treatments. The difference being that the prescribed drugs do have approval but are not intended for use to treat autism or is not usually prescribed to patients who are below a certain age limit. At modern times, certain alternative medicine theories have actually acquired mainstream status and are even combined with customary medication.

When dealing with autism it is very important to intercept what an affected individual is trying to express, through their behavior. This is the key to identifying with an autistic person, as they are unable to use written or oral communication accurately. This may sound like a task that can be managed but the initial period may be trying and difficult.

This is because we are accustomed to normal communication techniques and may not be able to grasp the real meaning behind sounds, signals and signs. This communication gap can cause immense distress in an autistic individual and could lead to self-inflicted injury behavior.

Of course it is essential for parents and caregivers to understand that all disturbing behavior is not a result of incomplete communication but is caused because of the already existing mental retardation, neurological disorders and affected motor skills.

Autistic children tend to behave differently. This includes inappropriate, repetitive, monotonous, insistent, aggressive, dangerous and/or harmful behavior. At times they may resort to flapping their hands, snapping their fingers, swaying, putting objects within their reach into their mouth or even banging their heads.

Apart from this, the situation may worsen drastically when an autistic individual chooses self-mutilation and after hurting themselves are non responsive towards the extent of the injury. They are also capable of hurting others for no apparent reason.

To deal with these concerns guardians need to be attentive towards their children’s communication skills. As such numerous treatment approaches have been revised to deal with language, sensory, and behavioral irregularities associated with autism.

The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is based on the concept that awarding a behavior that is expressed by an autistic individual prompts them to repeat it rather than emulating those that are ignored. Discrete trial training is based upon requesting a child to complete a task or action, receiving a response, and then a related response from the therapist involved.

This is an intensive training program. All tasks are segregated into smaller sections and once an autistic child completes the task with success they are rewarded. Since the task is spread over 30-40 hours a week critics argue that it is strenuous for a patient apart from being time consuming.

However the treatment is known to have positive results. At times people may hear the term “Lovaas” used instead. The treatment plan is the same but is undertaken only by specialists who are associated with Lovaas.

Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) is implemented based upon an autistic child’s functioning level. The program doesn’t intend to improve a child’s skills but to help them understand their own or another’s behavior.

Thought to be extensively structured it is often criticized but the end results show that the patient realizes expectations and starts to react. In the Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) a child is taught to relate a particular need with a picture. As such when they need to communicate that thought they give you the related picture.

There are several other behavioral and communication approaches. Floor Time for instance, is based on play therapy where it supports a youngster to do things which prompts further interaction. It revolves around supporting their action when in the play and appreciating their moves. Social Stories revolve around telling a story related to a certain condition or event.

The child in question is given information that helps comprehend the fitting reply. Sensory Integration helps sort out sensory information and identification. Facilitated Communication revolves around the participation of facilitator who supports an autistic persons hand or arm to help them correspond through a computer or typewriter.

Risk factors related to autism include family history of autism, autism spectrum, disorders and language delay. The risk factor discussion regarding autism has long been argued. This includes viewing mothers’ well being during pregnancy, troubles during delivery and/or environmental factors as risks that may have hindered normal brain development.

Risk factors include viral infections such as rubella especially if a woman is afflicted within the first 3 months of pregnancy as it may lead to autism and/or retardation. In case of oxygen deficiency or complications during delivery, the risks of autism could have increased. This is not an absolute risk factor, as a number of autistic children did not face the above circumstances at birth.

Other risk factors for autism are childhood with Fragile X and fetal alcohol syndrome in a mother. The former is a genetic disorder of the X chromosome and is passed on as a result of hereditary mental retardation. It is important to look out for such risk factors as they increase the chances of autism. It is possible that children are autistic without having been exposed to any of the risk factors but a definite exposure to any risk factor certainly increases the possibility of being affected by autism.

The risk factors are most likely to affect a child within the first of his/her three years and are known to affect baby boys in much larger number as compared to baby girls. A child is known to have an increased risk of being autistic if exposed to tuberous sclerosis. This is an infrequent, multi-system genetic disorder, which causes the growth of benign tumors in the brain and vital organs. It affects the CNS causing seizures, developmental hindrances, behavioral inadequacies, skin aberrations and kidney problems.

Neurofibromatosis is viewed as a risk factor in relation to autism. This is a genetic nervous system condition wherein tumors start to develop on nerves in whichever part of the body. Apart from being a risk factor for autism it can lead to alterations in skin conditions and distortion of the bones. Phenylketonuria is also a hereditary condition of the enzyme, which acts upon phenylalanine, an amino acid present in some foodstuff. This dietary inadequacy can also cause mental retardation.

Genetic factors are considered to play a part in increasing autism risks. This is because autism is likely to show up in families with a history of autism and in identical twins. The reason for autism remains unidentified but has been classified as a condition resulting from irregularity in brain structure or function.

Since brain abnormalities are resultant of hereditary and/or environmental reasons, metabolic inadequacies, viral infections and difficulties during pregnancy and delivery, they are all regarded as risk factors in relation to autism. Since a sole gene has not been recognized to cause autism, theories suggest that a group of unstable genes may also be an autism risk factor in some individuals.

In relation to autism treatment, it is essential that parents introduce children to a special education system from a very early age. An early instructive involvement helps towards an autistic individual’s development. Since this is a spectrum disorder which can be a result of a particular risk factor, especially at the time of pregnancy, there is no way autism can really be linked to a definite root cause.

A lot of parents aspirations lie in spiritual redeeming. Keeping in tact their faith and belief many parents and certified specialists are considering innovative treatment plans. These plans are intended towards improvising communication skills. These new complementary approaches are accepted, as there are various families and specialists that vouch for their effectiveness. A complementary approach is thought to reduce or control typical behavioral patterns that are synonymous with autism.

Complementary approaches are inventive and may not click too well with a traditional mindset. However they are being tried and tested. Though there are numerous positive testimonials, the results are not clinically proven and may never receive a medical board validation or legitimacy. Complementary approaches consist of music, art or animal therapy.

They may be introduced on an individual basis or introduced into an existing education program. This humane approach helps autistic children improve and develop their communication abilities apart from encouraging social interaction. This soft approach acknowledges small successes, which introduces a sense of achievement.

Since all of these approaches are meant to play a role in a person’s senses, they are a non-threatening and non intrusive approach. Such complementary approaches pave the way for constructive development between a therapist and an autistic child in a locale that the child perceives as safe and approachable.

Art forms and music sessions help people soothe their senses and relive stress apart from strengthening sensory integration. The same principles hold true, when these approaches are used as a part of autism treatment. The end results are intended towards proving a stimulus to physical, visual and auditory actions. Music therapy helps in encouraging speech and language conception. Songs can be used as an instruction source to coach language training apart from helping a child to use more words at one time.

Art therapy may help develop a form of nonverbal interaction. Animal therapy could consist of horseback riding. A swim along with dolphins is also thought to be helpful. They are encouraged for physical and emotional results that are based upon harmonization and improvement of motor skills. Prior to introducing complementary therapy, it is essential to gather adequate information apart from consulting the family physician.

Since autism is categorized as a spectrum disorder, it is usually not possible to resort to a single treatment plan to deal with the disorder. To ensure effective treatment, many specialists, parents and caregivers have resorted to blending different treatments to help cope with symptoms and behavior that causes great difficulties for an autistic person to function.

This paves the way for psychosocial and pharmacological approaches to be included with regular treatment. As there are no definite medicines, diet or vitamins that can cure neurological disturbances that are thought to be associated with autism, well wishers and pioneers have turned to selective dietary and biomedical approaches to treat certain behavioral aspects that are linked to autism.

A dietary approach revolves around adjusting an autistic individual’s diet. This is based upon inclusion of particular vitamins or minerals that could also help control irregular behavioral patterns. The addition of essential vitamins like B6 and B12 along with the extraction of gluten and casein from the diet could help in digestion and allergies. Apart from this it may also make a child more amiable. This is a contentious matter and many arguments have been presented for and against these treatment options. The unfavorable arguments question effectiveness and scientific validation of such proposals.

Though not conclusive it is suggested that certain food types and chemicals can cause allergies, which may increase behavioral issues. Research and positive testimonials suggest that exclusion of such allergy causing substances from a diet has caused some extent of behavioral submission. Gluten has been discussed very often, as this may be a difficult protein to digest for autistic people.

Increased proportions of some peptides in urine propose an incomplete breakdown of peptides that come from intake of casein and gluten. The latter is present in wheat, oats and rye, where casein is found in dairy products. The presence of these peptides could cause disturbance in biochemical and neuroregulatory variations in the brain, whereby altering brain function.

Since it is difficult to evaluate the reason behind this inability to break down the proteins the only logical step that can be taken is to remove them from the diet. This proposed change is intended towards putting a stop to more neurological and gastrointestinal damage. When attempting such approaches, the proteins should not be stopped all at once. This could lead to a new set of problems. Prior to introducing a dietary approach it is essential to consult a certified nutritionist or gastroenterologist.

There is also the “leaky gut” which is thought to plague autistic children. It refers to miniscule holes in the intestinal tract, that could be an end result of yeast overgrowth. Arguments suggest that this may increase behavioral and medical problems in autistic individuals. This includes conditions such as confusion, hyperactivity, stomach problems and fatigue. Nutritional additives, anti-fungal medicines and/or yeast-free diets are proposed remedies. The downside to this treatment is that anti fungal may go on to cause fungal resistance.

Though we may try all our lives to treat an autistic child or individual as an equal, it’s important to understand that this equality should be expressed only in relation to emotions and appreciations. The truth is that in all aspects, autism weakens a person. As such, when planning for the future, in the early and adolescent years, parents, caregivers and counselors need to chalk out all the plans and work accordingly, keeping in mind the best interest of the child.

In time when the child is older, they may become a part of conversations at home and even express their views. These interactions should be encouraged and the autistic person should at all times be a part of family matters. When it comes to planning for the future, very often, autistic individuals may also share their views. At no time should these suggestions be sidelined or ignored.

Once they express interest in planning for the future it is important to recognize the real meaning. Since it’s possible that they are not able to express all emotions too well, once they imply something it should be considered. Any proposal made by them should be evaluated at length; if necessary even the counselor should join in. A precise evaluation helps understand what the autistic individual wishes to do later in life. Though encouragement is necessary, agreeing to all their future planning is not.

Instead of evading such discussions, an autistic individual should be spoken to about what they want. Once you have a definite answer it is important to see how and in which capacity you can help them realize their desires. What can’t be done should be conveyed to them rather than beating around the bush. Even when an autistic individual has reached his/her peak, there will always be someone responsible for them.

This includes reaching adulthood. As such parents should be aware of their offspring’s life after them. This calls for making arrangements for availability of adequate funds in order for them to be cared for all their lives. Cost of medication, education and care can be a fairly large sum and it’s important you start planning for the future well in advance too.

It is very important to vest their responsibilities on an individual who is capable of performing such duties. All this should be decided beforehand so as to not cause any inconvenience to an autistic individual. Planning for the future includes making enquiries in special care centers regarding their children’s well being if need be. When planning for the future it is important to make the right investments and get precise medical plans that can help the autistic individual.

Apart from this, when planning for the future, it is essential to put aside enough funds to deal with any sort of emergency. This is important because autism is linked with neurological disorders, which may require intense medical interference to control a certain shortcoming.

When planning for the future it is important to be connected to a body of specialists who can be called upon in case of relocation. In the best interest of an autistic person, when planning for the future, nothing should be left upon chance or the last minute, as they have special needs and we are responsible to provide for them as and when.

The reason why religion plays an important role in relation to autism has a simple explanation. Every religious practice suggests that God treats all humans as equals, irrespective of caste, color, creed, karma or physical challenges. Bedtime stories have always revolved around how God selects a chosen few, who are special and send them to us to be cared for. Religion and autism are often used together, for the simple reason that a condition such as this can be prevalent at any corner of the world irrespective of which religion you follow. Apart from this the greater stance is the inability of the medical sciences to pinpoint a single root cause for autism.

When there are no answers, most people turn to religion for one. Once you deal with the initial trauma and understand and accept the truth, very often you are in need of a strong support system that helps you deal with this situation for life. Just as we turn to our religion for other things in life, this too calls for submission. In religion we find salvation and an explanation to present circumstances. Religion makes us more tolerant towards autism apart from strengthening faith and confidence.

It is obvious that parents tend to get a little fearful of the situation or at times holding themselves responsible for their child’s condition. In order to deal with such intense feelings, religion is often the only solution to all of these apprehensions. The reasoning behind looking at religion for an answer is varied for different families but the one common truth is acceptance. Religious scriptures have never looked at physical disabilities differently so why should we mere mortals do so.

This said, religion is the only explanation to narratives of miracles all around the world. Though every family learns to deal with autism they turn to religion for a miracle to happen, apart from drawing strength from it. Since physicians and pediatricians tell parents and caregivers the status of an autistic child and explain to them at the very beginning itself, that the condition is a life long one, people turn to religion in order to be able to accept the truth and live with it.

Though an autistic child will learn to interact and lead a fairly comfortable life over time with the help of special treatment, the truth regarding this non-curable condition is never undermined. As such, introducing religion to the autistic individual may also allow him/her to find solace when dealing with day-to-day life. This is because in time autistic adults may learn the real truth of their condition and look at themselves differently.

This may be a difficult situation and faith and belief often sees them through. Since all of us identify with one religion or another, it makes acceptance a lot easier. At times an autistic individual’s may make enquiries or ask questions to people round them that may be very difficult to answer. True faith in religion links all answers to God, which makes the situation more inspirational for all who are involved.

Autism is a condition that stays with the affected for life. Since the autistic individual does display a myriad of strange behavioral patterns and neurological disorders it is important that family members and caregivers are aware and cautious about the surroundings at home. Though it is suggested that autistic individuals do learn to express themselves to a certain degree and even try to communicate with the help of various special education programs, they are however unpredictable even after years of successful treatment.

For this reason it is important that responsible adults and caregivers are always attentive towards safety in the home. This is because autism causes the affected to engage in repetitive disturbing behavior. This could start of as a simple motion of spinning their heads but the aggression that soon starts to grow on them could cause them to lose balance and hurt themselves or even throw up.

Apart from this they could start flapping or clapping their hands incessantly. Since an autistic child or adult may already have difficulty in limb movement, continuously aggravating their limbs could cause serious muscular damage or immense pain. As such, safety in the home should be given optimum importance and there should always be someone around the autistic individual, who isn’t too overbearing at all times.

Though repetitive behavior may not always pose as a threat, if an autistic individual starts to bang their head, it could lead to blood loss. Though this is something non-autistic people would never choose to do, an autistic person could resort to any of this at any time. There have been instances of eye gouging or even scarring of their faces. The reason why these cases never die away is because some autistic people have decreased levels of sensitivity. This prevents them from experiencing pain despite the gravity of the harm they cause to themselves.

Safety at home does not only revolve around ensuring that they do not engage in harmful acts but also lays emphasis on creating a safe atmosphere at home. Autistic children or adults may not be able to grasp a new situation that sends then into great despair. For this reason it is important to make circumstances at home as comfortable a possible. This goes a long way in reducing their aggression related to exposure to unknown objects.

Since autistic people have compromised comprehension skills, they may not be able to identify the potential hazards that can be caused by fire, electric cables and sharp objects at home. It is very important to keep all objects that can cause harm away from their reach to ensure maximum safety in the home. They could even be at risk from sharp furniture edges, forks, gardening tools and playthings.

Apart from this, autistic people tend to put things in their mouths. It is very important to make sure that they do not have access to things that could be accidentally swallowed or could cause choking. This does not imply that they should not be allowed to interact with objects and their home surroundings but only emphasizes on how elevated safety in the home should be. As they are vulnerable their aggression could turn against another instead on themselves, so it is important to introduce them to new people in a very patient way rather than imposing another on them.