Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Question: How long does it normally take a peaditrican to diagnose autistic spectrum disorders? How long does it normally take a peaditrican to diagnose autistic spectrum disorders? After a number of difficulties with my little boy of almost 9 years ,my GP suggested that he may have something related to the autistic spectrum disorder.He mentioned aspergers syndrome and has refered him to a local peaditrician.We are due to see him this week,will they they be able to tell us on the day if this is the case or is it usual to have a lot more tests etc. Does anyone know the procedure in the UK for this type of diagnosis

Answer: They will be able to tell you what they feel based on their assessment from that day, talk to your Son's school SENCO as well as they have access to speech therapists and educational psycologists who can also help with the diagnonsis. It can take a long time sometimes, if you do it privately it will be quicker but you can start doing things that help autistic children cope with the world anyway now and see if it makes a diffference to him or helps him anyway.

Question: Why is there a higher prevelance of males in autistic spectrum disorders? in autism, the ratio of males to females seems to be around 6:1. Additionally they are more likely to be left handed. why?

Answer: All males are borderline autistic anyway, aren't we?

Question: I have a few questions about Autistic Spectrum Disorders? I'm wondering on why/how some autistic s are more higher functioning than others(Asperger's being an obvious example). But why do some Autistics start out life seemingly low-functioning,but get to be more higher functioning as they get older? What I'm trying to ask here is what are some of the characteristics in the pathology of Autism,like how autistic brains are mis-wired and the latest information on how autistic brains work or don't work properly.

Answer: My nephew is severely autistic with no speech and my brother has aspergers syndrome. Its a chemical imbalance in the brain due to some sort of trauma during pregnancy or during the birth. In my personal experience the MMR vaccination does make the symptoms worse, although there is no solid evidence of this, I believe it. Autism reduces the ability to learn things and keep them in your head, (badly put I know but best way to explain it) People with autism or conditions within the autistic spectrum are very gifted people, they see the world in pictures and things are remembered by visual images. They're lives rely on routine and do not adapt well to change. Im sure there are many things we do not know about autism but when you know somebody with autism you learn their ways but still that is understanding the person and not the condition as a whole. I am really fascinated by autism as I dont think anyone truly understands it.

Question: I have a question about Autistic Spectrum Disorders? I'm wondering on why/how some autistic s are more higher functioning than others(Asperger's being an obvious example). But why do some Autistics start out life seemingly low-functioning,but get to be more higher functioning as they get older? What I'm trying to ask here is what are some of the characteristics in the pathology of Autism,like how autistic brains are mis-wired and the latest information on how autistic brains work or don't work properly.

Answer: Autism is a complex spectrum with varying degrees of severity and various symptoms. Each individual on the spectrum is different and has a different combination of the symptoms and severity of the symptoms. Some autistic people have a mild form of autism while others have a more severe form. Also, some have been through intensive therapies while others have not. There is no known cure for autism, but there are many things that can be done to improve the skills of autistic people, teach them to compensate for the skills they lack and teach them to cope with certain things. That's why some autistic people function better as they get older. They have learned how to function despite the autistic traits. Early intervention seems to be the most effective way.

Question: What is a good-anxiety drug out there for autistic spectrum disorders?

Answer: Lamictal works wonders, and has very few side effects.

Question: Why do Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorders seem so similar?

Answer: I am elder and I have noticed problems with children since cocaine and meth became more common. Crack babies have become older and problems in adult behavior has gome up. Substance abuse babies= autism. Autisn was rare in the era before 1980's.

Question: Does anybody know if people with autistic spectrum disorders have different religious views or unusual views? more often than normal people. My own religious view is Maltheism, the view that god is partly or wholly evil. I was hoping that maybe some other people on the autistic spectrum might have their own answer.

Answer: I'm not sure, but I can see how personal upbringing and mental health would influence religious views (which are practically replacing "parents" with other figures.

Question: Are autistic spectrum disorders properly understood in today’s society? I'm in yr 12 at school and in my Child Studies i am doing a 'special study' on childhood autism (birth to 6yrs of age). Does anyone regularly deal with autistic children, and if so, do you believe the child would benefit from special schooling or normal mainstream schooling? also, do u know of any association or something that i could interview over telephone?

Answer: I work with autistic children. In terms of their being understood, I would have to say that the issue is evolving. More and more research is being done but there are still educators, doctors, therapists etc. who misdiagnose it. ADHD, anxiety based disorders and prenatal drug exposure can sometimes look like autism. UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute is a good place to get an interview. They seem to be doing some cutting edge research. In terms of schooling, there is a form of therapy called Applied Behavioral Analysis that seems to have some very good outcomes. I have seen children that I thought would go into special ed. that were able to make it in regular ed. with ABA. The key is to start early (before age 4).

Question: Are there any website communities for teenagers with Asperger's Syndrome, or other Autistic Spectrum Disorders? I have Asperger's Syndrome and I was wondering if there were any websites where I could talk with other teens with that share my disorder.

Answer: I recommend www.wrongplanet.net. That's a website for people who have autism spectrum disorders. There are very active discussion forums there and it's a good place to meet other people with Asperger's syndrome. You'll find lots of teens there to talk to.

Question: Why Do People With Autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorders Have So Much Difficulty With Eye Contact?

Answer: Not all Autism are like that. If you want to learn more about Autism people then I would suggest you go to "People with Disabled" instead of asking this place.