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...

Posts Tagged ‘health’

Dance Therapy

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

Humans don’t necessarily need a language to communicate. Luckily, nonvocal and nonverbal communication come with numerous presentations. As you may have seen in the last few posts, art is one of the most effective ways to communicate, like painting, drawing, and playing a musical instrument. Having a pet, is another way to express feelings and

A Link Found Between Autism & Vitamin D Deficiency

A Link Found Between Autism & Vitamin D Deficiency

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

Up-to-the-minute, the definitive causes of autism haven’t been identified yet. However, two main reasons used to be greatly suspected: 1- Environmental (toxins and exposure to heavy metals) reasons 2- Genetic reasons 3- A combination of the above, since they are related Now, a new combined environmental and genetic suspect has emerged, supported by series of

Is There A Link Between Autism And MMR Vaccine?

Is There A Link Between Autism And MMR Vaccine?

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

It has been an eternally debated topic, that the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine causes or increases the risk of developing autism. Parents, especially those who already have children with ASD, are less and less encouraged to vaccinate their newly born babies. In a recent research the JAMA (the Journal of American Medical Association) came

Make The Doctor's Visit A Pleasant Experience

Make The Doctor’s Visit A Pleasant Experience

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

One of the most common problems parents face on a regular basis is taking their child with autism to the doctor or dentist office. Even if the environment was friendly and the doctor/dentist and team are patient, children with autism don’t like to be closely approached, or touched, let alone having any intrusion to their

Revolutionary Findings: Genetic and Environmental Factors are Equally Important Risk Factors

By Nadia Shanab | autism

This is one of the largest and comprehensive studies/researches done on individuals (2 million) with ASD. Everyday researchers are getting closer to identify the causes of autism. So far, we have been saying that the major causes of autism are genetic factors, environmental factors, or a combination of both. The recent research (published May 4, 2014)

Low Doses of Antianxiety Drugs Rebalance Autistic Brain

By Nadia Shanab | autism

A new research suggests that autism is characterized by reduced activity of inhibitory neurons and increased activity of excitatory neurons in the brain. Balance can be restored with low doses of drugs currently used in much higher doses to treat anxiety and epileptic seizures. The findings point to a new therapeutic approach to managing autism.

Number of Cases of Autism Is on The Rise

By Nadia Shanab | autism

The reason of autism has not been found yet as we talk. However, the number of children diagnosed with autism is on the rise. The question will ramain: Is it because doctors can better diagnose it now? Or it is actually the real number of children born with autism is increasing? According to the CDC

Low Level of Serotonin and Vitamin D Linked to Autism

By Nadia Shanab | autism

Source: Children’s Hospital& Research Center Oakland. “Researchers show that seotonin, oxytocin, and vasopressin, three brain hormones that affect social behavior related to autism, are all activated by vitamin D hormone. Supplementation with vitamin D and tryptophan would be a practical and affordable solution to help prevent autism and possibly ameliorate some symptoms of the disorder.”

Less Sleep Hours Linked to Bedroom Screens

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

In a research done by a team of The University of Missouri found a relationship between bedroom access to a telivision or computer and reduced sleep among boys with autism. Besides, they found a relationship between the average video-game exposure  and less time sleeping among boys with ASD. Read the full research here. Using a

End-of-Year Checklist

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

This is the time of the year when most of us tend to look back and try to “evaluate” or “assess” the last twelve months’ achievements. Parents, don’t be harsh on yourself and on your child, we’re human. Before you blame yourself for not meeting all the goals you’ve set a year ago, ask yourself