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 ‘research’

All That An Assistive Dog Can Bring To Your Family (Video)

All That An Assistive Dog Can Bring To Your Family (Video)

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

The proverb says: The dog is man’s best friend. Dogs are loyal and they love their masters unconditionally (I prefer to use the word masters over owners). They communicate without language, and understand the body language. If your child doesn’t talk or has poor verbal skills she/he can still have a social life. A dog

A Link Between Autism And Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues

A Link Between Autism And Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues

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

“Scientists from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have discovered a link between autism and gastrointestinal issues. A new study found children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were two-and-a-half times more likely to experience persistent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms as infants and toddlers than children without autism.” Source The symptoms may vary from chronic diarrhea,

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

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

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,

Autism And Nutrition

Autism And Nutrition

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

Studies found that individuals with autism, both kids and adults, frequently suffer from digestion disorders, or being underweight or overweight. We know that one of the most common traits of autism is rigidity and love for routine. This may results in sticking to the same type of food and limiting the kinds of nutrients the

A Lead To Reveal Causes Of Autism

A Lead To Reveal Causes Of Autism

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

There are so many ways to define autism, but a simple one would be : “atypical brain wiring”. For more definitions of autism read chapter one here. From the Harvard Review of Psychiatry: Some studies using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques, started to uncover what might be a cause for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The

Guidelines To Diagnose Autism

Guidelines To Diagnose Autism

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

To diagnose autism no lab work, devices, nor equipment are needed. The only thing that is requested from parents and licensed professionals to do is to fill out some questionnaires. Filling out papers is based on observing the child’s behavior in different settings, like interacting with family members, strangers, at home, new places, with toys