A Message to Parents

Dear Parents, I am finally back after a long silence for almost two years. It is very hard to disengage myself from thinking and writing about...

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Autism Linked to Fine Motor Skills Deficits

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

A recent research at Oregon State University showed a link between poor fine motor skills and autism. Autistic children with better motor skills also perform better at social skills and vice versa. Nobody really knows why. Studies and researches used to focus on social skills and communication, and giving little attention to motor skills deficiency. However,

Mainstreaming Children with Autism

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Dear Parents, Here comes another school year along with lots of hopes and loads of goals for your child’s future! Over the summer break you have probably set some goals for your child and pictured her in a certain setting that would rather satisfy your dreams. Good job! This exactly what parents are here for.

Key Enzymes Profoundly Linked to Autism

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

When a group of enzymes called “topoisomerases” has difficulties, they were found to affect the brain development and potentially lead to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). These enzymes are found in all human cells. According to the scientists at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, this finding offers an excellent track to better understand

Autism Awareness Walk in Iowa

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

North Iowa’s first Autism Awareness Walk will be Saturday, September 7, in City Park, Clear Lake. To register and for more information read here. It is never enough to emphasize the importance of early intervention. Parents, don’t be in denial. Don’t miss it! nadia shanab

Autism and Autoimmunity

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Some antibrain antibodies in the mother’s body doesn’t affect her own brain, thanks to a certain filter. However, her fetus alas, doesn’t always well-develop that filter that would protect its brain from these antibodies/antibrain, which may cause autism. In some people with poor autoimmune system, the body recognizes its own organs as foreign bodies and

What Causes Autism?

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

We cannot pinpoint to one specific cause to be responsible for the autism condition. Actually, the exact answer to this question was not found yet. Autism has been attributied to several causes, but the two likely suspected ones are: gentics and environmental factors. Here are some possibilities: A recent sutdy strongly proposes that genetic predisposition

Communication Improves over Time

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

One of the most important traits of autism is the poor or even lack of communication. How does communication capability develop?  In the early childhood years a typical child would integrate the “seen” and “heard” information to develop her speech. Consequently, the child would be able to talk and communicate. It appears that children with

A Free Autism Magazine

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

The Autism File  U.S.A is a free digital magazine offering resources, information and support. You can download it here. The Autism File magazine is a bi-monthly publication. Its first issue appeared in 1999. Enjoy! nadia shanab

Autism and Gender

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

The ratio of boys to girls diagnosed with autism is around four to one. Is that really true? Is research biased to diagnose boys and overlook girls? Are girls able to camouflage the signs of autism? Research found that: male and female brains are different anyway, male’s brain has more tissue volume girls with the

iPads May Help Kids with Autism

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

It is an ongoing debate whether iPads and touch devices in general are benefitial or harmful for kids with autism. From my own experience working with children on the autism spectrum, whether with poor verbal skills or high-functioning, they all love the iPad. It is a magical device that we in schools now use it