Autism Spectrum Disorders Encyclopedia
Autism Spectrum Disorders Top Stories
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No Link Between Lyme Disease and Autism
Lyme disease is carried and transmitted by ticks, especially in the northeastern US. There has been some concern that children with autism have higher rates of Lyme disease.
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Reading the Future in Placenta Cells?
Autism runs in families, past research has shown. But even when a family risk is known, children are not usually diagnosed with autism until they are toddlers.
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A Pregnancy Dilemma for a Medication?
Some medications are linked to disorders such as autism or to birth defects when taken during pregnancy. However, that risk must also be balanced against the medication's benefits.
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No Autism Risk from Vaccines
Dozens of studies have debunked the one study that falsely tried to link vaccines to autism. Yet some parents remain concerned about possible negative effects of children's vaccines.
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Autism Risk May Be Buried in the Past
The causes of autism increasingly appear to come from a variety of different risk factors. One of those risk factors may be related to the childhood experiences of the children's mothers.
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Autism May Travel Through Generations
Grandparent age and autism risk in grandchildren may be linked
A Family of Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders may be linked through common genes
Pets Help Kids with Autism Socialize
Autism social behaviors were increased when a pet was present compared to having toys around
Mom’s Inflammation Linked to Autism
Autism diagnosis was more likely when mom had signs of inflammation in early pregnancy
Treating OCD in People with Autism
OCD therapies improved anxiety symptoms for people with autism
A Medication Risk Factor for Autism
Epilepsy medication during pregnancy linked to autism and developmental disorders
Folic Acid May Protect Against Autism
Autism risk was lower when mothers took folic acid before and during pregnancy
Chasing After Autism Therapies that Work
Autism therapies come in many forms but few have been tested or shown to be effective
Dental Health Can Be Tricky For Kids With Autism
Autism behaviors may affect how parents feel about managing oral care for their child
Experts Weigh in on Autism Programs
Autism interventions get some guidelines from an expert panel
Managing Health Care for Autistic Adults
Adults with autism may have some struggles with their health care
Autism May Affect Dental Care
Autism spectrum disorder may make dental care more difficult
Autism Spectrum Disorders Videos
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Understanding Autism
Symptoms of autism are rare in a newborn, but understanding autism (and knowing autism signs) can help parents concerned that they might have an autistic child. It can also raise autism awareness for the 1.5 million autistic children in the U.S.
Diagnosing Autism
While a newborn probably won't show autism symptoms, the developmental disorder may manifest as early as 18 months. At this infant age, diagnosing autism starts with a behavioral analysis and a test, like the checklist for autism in toddlers.
Treating Autism
While there's currently no way to cure autism, behavioral therapy-like applied behavior analysis-combined with medication treatment may help autistic children. If you'd like to learn more about autism therapy for your infant, watch this.
Asperger's Disease, Rett Syndrome, and Autism (PDDs)
Asperger's Syndrome. Rett Syndrome. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Known collectively as autism spectrum disorders, or pervasive developmental disorders, all of these neurological conditions may mimic autism.
Raising Autism Awareness Part 1: The Early Signs
Learn how to spot the red flags that may indicate an autism spectrum disorder. The sooner a child is diagnosed with the disorder, the sooner treatment can begin. Watch this video to learn about the typical symptoms.
Raising Autism Awareness Part 2: Chance, A Twin with Autism
Meet twin brothers Chad, who is on a normal development track, and Chance, who displays many of the early symptoms of autism. In this video, you'll see him exhibiting signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Raising Autism Awareness Part 3: A Family's Journey
Explore autism through the journey of Trina Mcfield, a mother who recognized the early signs in one of her twin sons. In this video, she'll explain the signs she spotted in her baby, and her discovery of one treatment gave her family newfound hope.
Raising Autism Awareness Part 4: Newfound Hope
After two-year-old Chance received 5 months of ABA autism treatment, he showed a dramatic improvement. Watch this video to see examples of his progress. Early treatment and intervention offers the most hopeful prognosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
