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Archive for July, 2015

How To Deal With Stubborness Or Oppositional Defiant Behavior

How To Deal With Stubborness Or Oppositional Defiant Behavior

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

If you are expecting your child or students to consistently comply, obey, agree, and follow your directions every time you ask her, you must be dreaming. This is just so unrealistic. Whether your child/student is on the autism spectrum or not, it is unlikely that you’ll to be listened to all the time. Parents and

How To Respond To The Question: Am I A Special Ed Student?

How To Respond To The Question: Am I A Special Ed Student?

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

Anecdote I was shadowing a student with autism from a Special Day Class (SDC) in a mainstream class for Math subject. The student looked around scanning the faces of all the students surrounding her. With confused and lost eyes the student looked at me and asked: “Am I a special ed student?” She was loud enough

CHD8  Is The Master Gene Regulating Other Autism Risk Genes

CHD8 Is The Master Gene Regulating Other Autism Risk Genes

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

Causes of autism have not been definitely identified yet. However, there are several major factors contributing to the disorder. Among these factors the three leading ones are: genetic factors, environmental factors, and a combination of both. Research has never been so focused on the topic given the growing number of individuals diagnosed with autism. So

Stanford Children's Health & Children's Health Council Offering FREE Program

Stanford Children’s Health & Children’s Health Council Offering FREE Program

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

Stanford Children’s Health and Children’s Health Council are offering a free program for recently diagnosed autism patients with Bay Area treatment resources. Find the details here. Parents of children with autism who enjoy a strong and stable marital relationship get the best possible outcome regarding their kids developmental progress. The day-to-day life of a family

Why Early Diagnosis Of Autism And Early Intervention Is A Necessity

Why Early Diagnosis Of Autism And Early Intervention Is A Necessity

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

The scientific reason behind encouraging early diagnosis of autism, and hence early intervention, is the fact that the brain development in early childhood years is fast and able to acquire new skills. It has been scientifically proven that late diagnosis results in unchanged IQ, however therapy is very important to hone social communication skills. Refer

New Test To Diagnose Children At Younger Age

New Test To Diagnose Children At Younger Age

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

A UMass pediatrician in Boston, U.S. has developed a new test to diagnose autism in children as young as 18 months. It is a game-like test that takes only 10 minutes. Eye contact, social skills, and communication skills are some of the factors to be tested. It is never enough to emphasize the importance of

Stanford University: Low Levels Of Hormone Linked To Social Deficit In Autism

Stanford University: Low Levels Of Hormone Linked To Social Deficit In Autism

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

Dr. Karen Parker: “Autistic children who had the lowest levels of the  hormone vasopressin (similar to oxytocin) in their blood also had the greatest social impairment.” This research was  published July 22, 2015 in PLOS ONE. This finding gives hope that treating low levels of vasopressin in kids with autism, may improve social impairment and

Children With History Of Institutional Care Have Increased Risk For Autism

Children With History Of Institutional Care Have Increased Risk For Autism

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

Tip Autistic behavior doesn’t always mean the child has ASD. Parents, adoptive parents, and educators, make sure to have your child evaluated and assessed at a young age. Don’t mistake poor social skills and communication abilities for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) published a

Mystery Solved? Why Is Autism On The Rise?

Mystery Solved? Why Is Autism On The Rise?

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

When we try to describe the signs of autism we always have to remember that no two children with autism are the same. Traits of autism are numerous, and children on the autism spectrum don’t have to meet all the criteria. Additionally, other neuro developmental or intellectual disorders or may overlap with autism, like ADHD,

Simple Tips To Make Your Child Enjoy School

Simple Tips To Make Your Child Enjoy School

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

Your child spends a good part of her day in school. To maximize the benefits from this time in school here are some simple tips to be shared with your child’s teacher. Parents and school’s staff’s cooperation will achieve best results. Sensory integration issues can be overwhelming. If your child have very sensitive ears to