“Could My Child Have Autism?” Ten Signs of Possible Autism-Related Delays in 6- to 12-Month-Old Children

Though autism is often not diagnosed until the age of three, some children begin to show signs of developmental delay before they turn a year old. While not all infants and toddlers with delays will develop autism spectrum disorders (ASD), experts point to early detection of these signs as key to capitalizing on early diagnosis and intervention, which is believed to improve developmental outcomes. According to Dr. Rebecca Landa, director of the Center for Autism and Related […]

After Other Options Fail, A Family Tries Medical Marijuana For Son With Autism

Heard on Morning Edition Lynn Arditi One November afternoon inside a raised ranch in Rhode Island, Kristal and Chris’ 13-year-old son was just getting home from school. “How’s school?” Chris says. “Bad!” Dylan says. He’s a skinny kid with glasses – still small enough for his mom to wrap him in a bear hug if he gets out of control. He’s had a lot of bad days. Dylan’s parents review the daily reports his school […]

Children With Autism Dental Exams

By Jennifer Hieminga, MEd, BCBA Associate Director, (http://www.newhavencentre.com/) New Haven Learning Centre. Toronto, Canada For many individuals with autism, routine appointments such as medical, dental and haircuts can be extremely difficult to tolerate. There are many factors that may contribute to this intolerance such as novel environments, novel adults, novel or aversive sounds, bright lights, foreign tastes, painful sensations, sitting for long periods of time and physical touch. As a result, many children with autism […]

Kids With Autism Want To Connect. Here’s How Other Kids Can Help.

By Kendra Stanton Lee My brother Michael leaves the best voicemails, is a great traveling companion and does a spot-on impression of our late grandmother. Michael is also on the autism spectrum, and has been my life’s best reference for loving someone who is neuroatypical. Because he lives 1,000 miles away, though, my kids barely know him. We don’t visit Ohio, where Michael lives with my parents, frequently. My kids, who are 10 and 8, […]

Food Selectivity Is Common In Children With Autism

By Jill K. Belchic-Schwartz, PhD Pediatric/Child Psychologist, Childhood Solutions, PC, Fort Washington, PA Food selectivity is a fairly common issue with children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many children who have been diagnosed with an ASD have difficulties with rigidity and a need for sameness, and this holds true for their food preferences as well. This can be very distressing for parents and caregivers. Prior to initiating a feeding intervention, it is important […]