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Autism: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Symptoms of Autism
Autistic people may have a range of symptoms, including physical, intellectual, psychological and emotional differences.
Early Signs of Autism
With so many headlines about autism, many parents are worried about their child's development. How do you know whether a delay or difference is really significant? How do you decide whether your child should see a professional? Here are some of the red flag symptoms to look for.
What Causes Autism?
This question haunts parents and creates tremendous anxiety. There are no definitive answers at this point. But there are a number of good possibilities.
Is It Asperger Syndrome?
What is Asperger syndrome? Asperger syndrome is a high functioning form of autism. Could you or someone you love be diagnosable with Asperger syndrome?
Adults & Asperger Syndrome
Asperger syndrome, a very high functioning form of autism, may not be diagnosed until adulthood. Could you or an adult in your life have Asperger syndrome? How can you find out? What should you do next?
Autism Information You Need
Autism is a complex topic - but what are the MOST important things to know about autism? This quick top 10 article includes the most imortant autism facts, plus links to learn more. Share it with your mom, your child's teacher, or anyone else who asks "What is autism, anyway?"
What Is Autism?
Autism is a complex set of disorders that are suddenly being diagnosed in epidemic proportions. What exactly is autism, who does it strike, and what do autistic people have in common?
Treatments for Autism
There are dozens of available treatments for autism, and many come highly recommended by doctors, therapists and parents. But how does one autism treatment differ from another? Which autism treatments are the most effective? Which is the right treatment for you or your child with autism? Explore treatments for autism and learn about your options.
Top Treatments for Autism
Which are the best treatments for autism? While that's an open question, these are some of the most popular and effective treatments for autism. Of course, there is no hard and fast rule about which is "best," nor is there any law against mixing and matching techniques.
What Is High Function Autism?
The term "high functioning autism" is often used to describe individuals who are clearly autistic but have significant verbal, academic, social and life skills. What does it mean to have high functioning autism?
Do Vaccines Cause Autism?
Do vaccines cause autism? The debate rages - and there is no agreement about whether vaccines might cause autism.
Autism Myths
If you're new to the autism spectrum, you may have built your picture of autism from media stories. But it's important not to believe everything you see or hear!
Start a GFCF Diet for Autism
Many practitioners recommend a gluten (wheat) and casein (dairy) free diet for children with autism. But in the USA, wheat and dairy are everywhere! An expert shares tips on starting and managing a GFCF diet for children with autism.
How Is Autism Diagnosed?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) is the medical text which defines how a disorder should be diagnosed. In it, Autistic Spectrum Disorders are defined by six characteristics. Your practitioner or evaluation team should use the DSM-IV definitions to diagnose you or your child.
Diagnosis: Asperger Syndrome
Could you or someone you love have Asperger Syndrome? How would you find out? Learn how experts diagnose Asperger Syndrome in adults.
Why Diagnose Adult Aspergers?
Asperger Syndrome (AS) is neither life-threatening nor is it curable. So why bother seeking a diagnosis if you're already an adult? Here are ten good reasons why adults might choose to seek an Asperger Syndrome diagnosis.
Common Features of Autism
The autism spectrum includes an incredibly wide range of people, with an amazingly broad range of abilities and challanges. So, what do all autistic people have in common?
The MMR and Autism
Does the MMR (Mumps-Measles-Rubella) vaccine cause autism? This question, first raised in 1998, continues to cause controversy in the autism community. What does the research say?
Best Autistic Traits
There's plenty written about the deficits of people on the autism spectrum. It's time to celebrate some of the best qualities of folks with autism. Here are ten top strengths of people living on the spectrum.
Picture Exchange & Autism
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is commonly used to communicate with pre-verbal autistic children and adults. What is the Picture Exchange Communication System - and how does it help people with autism to communicate?
ABA and Autism
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is one of the oldest and most widely used treatments for autism. What is it? How does it work? Is ABA the right therapy for your child with autism?
Screen, Diagnose Autism
How do professionals screen for and diagnose autism?
Play Therapy and Autism
What is play therapy? Why is it used as a therapy for children with autism? Get the basics!
Autism: A Plus at Work
Passion. An eye for detail. Photographic recall. A lack of interest in office politics. All of these are traits of autism -- and all are plusses in many careers.
Detecting Signs of Autism
What are the first signs of autism? Should you be concerned? What are the best ways to share your concerns with your doctor? And how do you start seeking a diagnosis for autism?
Aspergers:Diagnostic Criteria
What are the diagnostic criteria for Asperger syndrome? Here are the specific criteria as laid out in the official DSM-IV-TR diagnostic manual.
What Is a DAN! Doctor?
Defeat Autism Now (DAN!) Doctors are trained in a biomedical approach to autism treatment. Learn more about the "DAN! protocol," training, and techniques.
Is Autism Genetic?
Is autism genetic? Twins are very likely to share autistic traits. While these facts suggest that autism is genetic, there's more to the story.
Occupational Therapy & Autism
What is occupational therapy, and how is it helpful to people with autism? This overview article covers the basics.
Speech Therapy & Autism
Speech therapy is almost always a must for people with autism. What is a speech therapist? How do speech therapists work with people on the autism spectrum? How do you find a speech therapist?
Wheat or Dairy Cause Autism?
Can wheat (gluten) or dairy (cassein), or a combination of both, actually cause autism? Review the evidence.
Pictures for PECS, Teaching
Are you using pictures to communicate with a person on the autism spectrum? Whether you're working with a PECS (Picture Exchange Card System) consultant, creating visual schedules, or using pictures to plan special events, you'll need great images. Here are some great resources!
Autistic Child's Behavior
Your child with autism won't sit down for dinner. Insists on climbing the entertainment center. Loses control at the grocery store. Here are hints and tips for understanding and managing your autistic child's behavior.
Behavior Specialist Basics
When a person with autism displays challenging or violent behaviors, a behavior specialist may be recommended. What is a behavior specialist, what do they do, and where do you find one? Get the basics.
Autistic Spouse
Marriage to a spouse with autism is challenging. It's hard to know whether behaviors that appear rude or thoughtless are really part of the disorder -- and it's tough to know how to respond. Drs. Bob Naseef and Cindy Ariel take on this complex issue.
Social Skills Training Basics
Social Skills training is often offered to children and adults on the autism spectrum. Do you need a therapist to teach social skills to your child with autism? Get the facts in this quick overview.
Researching Causes of Autism
What causes autism? Recent research has turned up new information about genetics, brain structure, environmental issues and more. As scientists build consensus, they are closing in on possible causes and cures for autism.
Signs of Autism in Children
Autism spectrum disorders are on the rise. How can you tell if your child may have an autism spectrum disorder? Here are the signs of autism in children.
Educational Options
How should autistic children be educated? There are many different opinions on the topic. This overview presents the options, along with a quick look at their pros and cons.
Is Autism on the Rise?
Since the early 1990's, diagnoses of autism have risen dramatically. But is there a true epidemic -- or just more diagnoses?
ASD Diagnosed at Birth?
A new research study at Yale University Medical School suggests that placental abnormalities may point to genetic differences leading to autism spectrum disorders.
ABA Defined
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is probably the best-known and best-researched treatment available for autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Ivar Lovaas is the developer of ABA. Discrete Trials describes the method by which practitioners use ABA. Want to know more? Researchers at the Lovaas Institute explain the terms and their meaning.
Autism Overview
What is autism? What causes autism? How is autism treated? This fact sheet from the National Institutes of Health provides a clear and readable overview.
RDI and Autism
Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)is a relatively new approach to autism treatment. Developed by Dr. Steven Gutstein, its claim is that it addresses "core deficits" to vastly improve social/communication skills and flexible thinking.
Drugs Used to Treat Autism
While no drug has yet been developed to directly treat or cure autism, many treat symptoms associated with autism. Are any right for you or your child with an autism spectrum disorder?
Infant Diagnosis of Autism
Is it really possible to diagnose autism in infants? Philip and Osnat Teitelbaum believe the answer is yes, and they've written a book to promote their research. Find out more about their theories and research.
SPD and Autism
What is Sensory Processing Disorder(SPD), and what is its connection with autism spectrum disorders?
Mitochondria & Autism
Mitochondrial disease is a rare illness which may be related to autism. What is the relationship? Might vaccinations contribute to autism when there is an underlying mitochondrial disorder?
Snappy Answers
If you have a child on the autism spectrum then you hear those annoying comments every day. He can't be autistic because... If you'd only provide more structure she'd be fine... Here are some snappy comebacks to some of the most common remarks!
Additional Symptoms of Autism
Autism is usually described as a social/communication disorder. Yet virtually everyone on the autism spectrum has symptoms NOT described in the diagnostic literature. Learn about some of the additional symptoms of autism - symptoms that are rarely mentioned in the media.
Autism Websites
There's an incredible glut of information about autism available on the web. Some is outstanding; some is ... not so outstanding. These top ten sites are reliable resources that offer solid information, useful advice, and fascinating insights into the world of autism.
A Definition of Autism
Here is a basic definition of autism and autism spectrum disorders.
Biomed & Autism: Q&A
The Autism Research Institute (ARI) was created by Dr. Bernard Rimland, one of the pioneers in autism treatment. Dr. Rimland was also one of the creators of the controversial DAN (Defeat Autism Now) protocol. In this Q&A, ARI staff respond to questions and concerns about their treatment approach for autism spectrum disorders.
Sensory Integration & Autism
What is Sensory Integration Therapy and how can it help children with autism?
Best Treatment for Autism?
What's the best treatment for autism? Here's a quick answer to a troubling question, along with links to much more information.
Asperger Syndrome
What is Asperger Syndrome?
Toilet Train Child with Autism
An expert shares a step-by-step method to toilet train children with autism.
Parenting an Adult Child
Asperger Syndrome doesn't disappear when a child grows up. But adults with Aspergers are...adults. How can (or should) a parent intervene when an adult child with Aspergers seems to be headed for trouble? Kate Goldfield, a young adult with Asperger Syndrome, offers insights and ideas.
After the Autism Diagnosis
An autism spectrum diagnosis can be devastating. Here's a step-by-step guide to helping your child and yourself.
Treating Adults with Aspergers
What happens after an adult is diagnosed with Asperger syndrome? What treatments are available and what do they do?
Vacations and Autism
Vacationing with a person on the autism spectrum can be challenge -- or a treat. This step by step guide offers some guidance for putting the fun back into summer vacation.
Autism and Adolescence
Puberty is a tough time for everyone. It can be even tougher for an autistic child -- and perhaps toughest for the parent of an autistic child! Drs. Bob Naseef and Cindy Ariel offer insights into how to help your autistic child manage the ups and downs of adolescence.
GFCF Diets and Autism
The Gluten Free Cassein Free (GFCF)diet involves eating no wheat or dairy. It's a tough diet to follow, but some autism professionals and many parents feel it has a tremendous positive impact. What are the potential plusses and minuses of the GFCF diet for children with autism?
How Do I Overcome Isolation?
After their child is diagnosed on the autism spectrum, parents may feel isolated from the world. Instead of taking part in typical parent-child activities, they're managing therapy. Drs. Naseef and Ariel offer practical suggestions on how to cope.
Sex Education for Autism Teens
Sexuality is a tough topic with any teen. For children and teens on the autism spectrum, sex education is even more complex. How do you teach someone with social and communications challenges about such a difficult and socially complicated topic?
Aiming for "Normal?"
As youngsters with Aspergers approach their teen years, the pressure to "act normal" increases. How far should a parent push their child with Asperger's to "act more normal?" Kate Goldfield, a young adult on the autism spectrum, offers ideas and insights.
Refrigerator Mothers
It was only a few decades ago that mothers were blamed for their children's autism. Labelled "refrigerator mothers," they were told that their cold mothering syle had traumatized their infants. Read more about this debunked theory.
What Is PDD-NOS?
Often, children with social and communication delays are diagnosed with something called PDD-NOS - pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. What exactly is PDD-NOS?
Autism, TV and Videos
You know that autistic children need therapy and interaction. Lots of interaction. And TV, we're told, is the opposite of interaction. But television, videos and even video games can serve many positive purposes -- both for our kids...and for us!
Developmental Pediatrics
If you have a child who is or may be diagnosable on the autism spectrum, you may be referred to a "developmental pediatrician." Learn more about these autism specialists: who they are, what they do, and how they can help your child with autism.
Should We Have Another Child?
Should parents of a child with autism have more children? What is the risk of having another child with autism? Drs. Robert Naseef and Cindy Ariel discuss the implications of parents of a child with autism having more children.
Who Diagnoses Autism?
Who should diagnose autism spectrum disorders? What is an autism specialist? Find the right doctor or team to evaluate and diagnose autism.
Developmental Therapy for ASD
Developmental therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorders work on autism's "core deficits" including problems with social and communication skills. They are tailored to the individual child, and are very often administered by parents. Floortime, RDI and Son-Rise are the top developmental therapies for autism. Learn more about developmental therapy and the different approaches. Are these techniques for you?
Echo Speech and Video Talk
If you're the parent of a verbal child diagnosed with autism, you may have heard your child repeat bits and pieces from videos or other sources. This type of communication is called "echolalia." It's a unique form of speech - and though it's thought of as a "symptom," it can also be a great place to start working with your child.
Autism and the Brain
Are the brains of people with autism different? Research suggests that the brains of people with autism have both structural and chemical differences.
What Is Floortime?
Floortime, a form of therapeutic play, is the central feature of the DIR (Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based)therapeutic approach developed by Stanley Greenspan and Serena Weider. Read Dr. Greenspan's answer to the question "what makes floortime play different from ordinary play?"
College & Autism: Tips
What does it take for a teen with autism to succeed in college? Maureen Johnson, Ph.D., an adult with high functioning autism, offers hints and tips from her own experience.
Physical Therapy and Autism
What does physical therapy have to do with autism? How can a person with autism benefit from physical therapy? Check out this quick overview on physical therapy and autism.
Best School Setting for Autism
What is a good educational setting for a child with autism? There's no "one size fits all" answer, but there are issues to keep in mind.
Impact of Early Intervention
Early, intensive intervention for children with autism is general considered to be critically important. But what does the research really tell us?
Screening for Autism
How do doctors screen children for autism spectrum disorders?
Helping Autistic Teen Be Cool
A teen with an autism spectrum disorder is still a teen. For many, that means feeling the pressure to be cool. How can a parent help his child on the autism spectrum feel "cool?" Here is advice and insight from Drs. Cindy Ariel and Robert Naseef, both family psychologists specializing in families with special needs.
Can ABA Cure Autism?
Personal memoirs suggest that intensive ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) can “recover” autistic children, but scientists say there is, at present, no cure for autism. Which is true? Researchers at the Lovaas Institute, developers of the ABA approach for autistic children, answer this question.
ABA in the Real World
If your child's Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy involves nothing but sitting at a table working for goldfish crackers and M&M's, it's time to make a change.
"Approved" Autism Treatments
Which autism treatments are approved by the medical mainstream? The answer may surprise you. Learn more about how the research process works in general, and why it's tough to apply typical research methods to autism.
Marriage and Autistic Child
No one ever said marriage was easy. Add a child with an autism spectrum disorder or other special needs, and marriage can become downright difficult. Drs. Robert Naseef and Cindy Ariel wrote this article to help couples address some of the toughest issues surround "special needs families."
Review: Louder Than Words
[i]Louder Than Words[/i] relates actress/model Jenny McCarthy's experiences in battling her son's autism. Jenny writes well - and the book is by turns fun, scary, and emotionally draining.
Autism and Teens
Robyn Steward, a young adult with autism, offers insights and advice to parents of teens on the autism spectrum.
Teach with Thomas Tank Engine
Does your child with autism love Thomas the Tank Engine? If so, you're not alone. Here are some tips for making the most of your child's passion by harnessing Thomas's teaching power.
Magnetism May Treat Autism
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)may be a helpful treatment for autism. This technique, used to treat mental illness, could alleviate hypersensitivities with few side effects.
Explaining Asperger Syndrome
Asperger syndrome is invisible, at least some of the time. At other times, though, symptoms rise to the surface. When should parents tell their children that they have Asperger syndrome? When and how should parents explain Asperger syndrome to other adults?
Respite Care and Autism
Respite means relief. Respite care for a loved one with autism means relief for the caregiver. When is it OK to seek respite care? What's the best way to find? How can you pay for it?
Find a Summer Program
Here are the steps to take to find the right summer program for your child on the autism spectrum.
Can ABA Treat All Autistics?
Applied Behavioral Analysis is often recommended for children who are more profoundly disabled, and/or non-verbal. Parents of higher-functioning autistic children are told that their child is "too functional" for ABA. In fact, say the professionals at the Lovaas Institute, ABA is helpful for autistic people at all levels.
Public School & Autism
Most children with autism attend public school. But is public school the right choice for your family? Learn more about the pros and cons of public school for children with autism.
Special Diets for Autism?
While mainstream doctors are unlikely to recommend special diets for children with autism, alternative doctors and practitioners may suggest gluten free, cassein free and other restricted diets. Find out why.
Anxiety and Aspergers
The diagnostic criteria for Asperger syndrome do not include anxiety or depression. But experts say that people with Asperger syndrome have a greater than average chance of developing mood disorders.
Review: Model Me Kids Videos
"Model Me Kids" videos were created to teach social skills to children with autism spectrum disorders. These highly produced teaching tools are intended for parents, teachers and therapists to address needs in a variety of settings.
Floortime, Fun & Autism
Floortime, a form of therapeutic play, is a well-regarded treatment for children with autism. Here are some hints and tips for having fun while helping your child with autism!
Find a Summer Camp
Where can you find a summer camp for your child with autism? This article includes links to the best directories of summer camps for kids with autism and Asperger syndrome.
Overcoming Grief and Anger
For many parents, the grief and anger over having a child with autism doesn't fade or disappear quickly. With each new milestone, it can resurface. Drs. Robert Naseef and Cindy Ariel have a son with severe autism, and offer personal insights and advice to help parents regain a sense of joy in what life now has to offer.
Hyperbaric Oxygen for Autism
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a new treatment for autism which is in the very earliest stages of research. What is HBOT for autism? How effective is HBOT in treating autism?
Private School & Autism
What are the pros and cons of private school for children with autism? Find out what the options are, and decide whether private school is a good possibility for your child on the autism spectrum.
Are Autism Treatments Working?
You have tried six different treatments for autism. Your child is improving, but which treatment made the difference? Here are some tips for evaluating which treatments are really working for your child with autism.
Autism & Emotions: How to Help
Children with autism have strong emotions, and it can be tough for them to know how to let out their feelings appropriately. Psychologists Dr. Robert Naseef and Dr. Cindy Ariel explain why emotions run so high for children with autism, and offer tips for helping your child manage strong feelings.
Sensory Integration Methods
What do sensory integration therapists do for children with autism? Learn about evaluation techniques, therapies, and outcomes.
Parents' Feelings
For parents, having a child with autism may mean anger and frustration; exhaustion; even guilt. Even knowing that the child is not to blame, it can be terribly difficult to be consistently supportive and loving toward a child who doesn't respond. Drs. Bob Naseef and Cindy Ariel respond with compassion and insight to a couples' fears that they are bad parents to their autistic son.
Autism and GI Issues
Yes, there is a connection between gastrointestinal problems (constipation and diarrhea) and autism. But what causes that connection is still unclear.
Biomed & Autism: Q&A
The Autism Research Institute (ARI) was created by Dr. Bernard Rimland, one of the pioneers in autism treatment. Dr. Rimland was also one of the creators of the DAN (Defeat Autism Now) protocol. In this Q&A, ARI staff respond to questions about their controversial biomedical treatment approach for autism spectrum disorders.
Motivating Autistic Children
Behavioral therapy (typically Applied Behavioral Analysis) is a very popular treatment for autism. Success depends on the child's desire to take part in the treatment. How do therapists motivate children with autism to engage in behavioral treatment?
Help: Picky Eaters with Autism
What does it take to get a child with autism to eat more than one or two favored items? Here's a step-by-step guide for parents of autistic children.
Social Thinking & Autism
Children with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome look like anyone else - until they get into a social situation. It's then that their differences become serious challenges. How do you teach children to interact in a social situation?
How to Find a Preschool
If your young child has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, you may be in the market for a great preschool setting. Here's a step-by-step guide to deciding what type of setting is best for your child, and finding the school that meets her needs.
Depression & Autism Moms
If you're the mother of a child with autism, you may be at risk of depression. If you're down, you're not alone. Luckily, there are tools to help you cope!
Dads and Autistic Children
In many families with autistic children, the mother becomes the primary researcher, in-home therapist, support-seeker, manager, record-keeper and more. How can fathers become more involved in their autistic children's lives?
OCD and Autism
People with autism often engage in repetitive behaviors. What should you do if these behaviors become problemmatic?
Risk Factors for Autism
What are some of the risk factors for autism?
Vaccines Mitochondrial Disease
Mitochondrial disease may be associated with some cases of autism. Do vaccines play a role?
Does SI Therapy Work?
Does sensory integration therapy really work for children with autism? Sensory integration therapy is intended to help children with sensory processing disorders to better manage sensory input, control behaviors, and handle daily life. Does it really work?
What Doesn't Cause Autism
As parents hear more and more about autism in the news, they worry that anything they do (or don't do) could cause the disorder. In fact, while there is debate about what causes autism, it's clear that many things cannot cause autism.
Autism, Anxiety, Nightmares
Autism, anxiety and sleep disturbances often go together. Drs. Robert Naseef and Cindy Ariel address a parent's concerns about nightmares, and offer specific advice.
Q&A: Autism & God
Bill Stillman's book, Autism and the God Connection, has received a good deal of interest from About.com readers. Many felt that Bill's approach to autism and spirituality struck a note with their own experience. Here, Bill answers questions about his ideas and his writing.
Voices from the Spectrum
Voices from the Spectrum is a collection of stories and essays by people whose lives have been changed by autism. Edited by Drs. Robert Naseef and Cindy Ariel, it explores life, love and hope on the autism spectrum.
How to Get Great ABA Therapy
Most doctors and many schools recommend behavioral therapy for children with autism. But not all behavioral therapists are created equal. How can you tell whether a therapist is doing a good job, and how can you improve the situation if they're not?
Social Stories and Autism
Social Stories were developed by therapist Carol Gray to help people with autism to build social skills. What are social stories? How do they help people with autism to develop social skills?
Don't Let Autism Make You Nuts
Before you drive yourself crazy over child's autism diagnosis, take a deep breath. Then read this article. You're probably doing most things right already - and there's nothing that you can't try tomorrow.
Does Your Baby Have Autism?
The book Does Your Baby Have Autism? by Philip and Osnat Teitelbaum is a handbook for parents concerned about their infant's development. This unique book may be the start of a new approach to early diagnosis - or it may just be another source of anxiety for parents.
What Is Early Intervention?
Young children who may have symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder are recommended to a program called early intervention. But what is early intervention and why is it a good idea?
ABA for Teens and Adults?
When parents learn about autism treatments, they hear about "early intervention" for children ages five and younger. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), however, like many interventions, can actually make a big difference for teens and adults as they build life and work skills.
Tips for Handling Guilt
If you have a child on the autism spectrum, you're probably coping with guilt. You should do more, be more, spend more, learn more. But then again, maybe it's ok to be gentler with yourself!
Do Social Stories Work?
Social stories are short, carefully crafted stories written to help children (and adults) with autism to navigate specific situations. Research suggests that they really do make a difference in helping children with autism manage the challenges of daily life.
Medical View of GFCF Diets
Many websites and some doctors recommend that children with autism eliminate wheat (gluten) and cassein (milk products) from their diets. Do these diets really make a difference? Who should try them?
Do vaccines cause autism?
Do vaccines cause autism
ABA and Emotional Skills
Many parents of autistic children think of ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) as a tool to train autistic children -- resulting in robotic behaviors and affect. But researchers at the Lovaas Institute explain that ABA can build real emotional connections.
Educational Options & Autism
What are the educational options for a child with autism? There are more than you might expect, and each has its pros and cons.
Son-Rise Autism Treatment
Son-Rise is a developmental approach to autism treatment, created by the parents of a child with autism. Son-Rise has a history of success, though it has not been validated through rigorous science-based evaluation.
Does My Child Have SPD?
What are the symptoms of sensory processing disorder? Does my child with autism have sensory processing disorder? What kind of therapy treats sensory processing disorder?
Live Viruses and Autism
The NIH and other mainstream research foundations make it clear that the MMR vaccine is in no way implicated in autism. Others, such as Dr. Andrew Wakefield of Thoughtful House, disagree. But what exactly is their theory? What are its implications? And what might it mean to parents of children with autism?
ABA
Applied Behavioral Analysis, or ABA, is often prescribed as treatment for young people on the Autism spectrum. But what is ABA?
Tips for New Treatments
These simple tips will help minimize the and maximize the effectiveness of new and alternative treatments for autism.
Dr's View of Chelation
Chelation is a controversial treatment for autism. Chelation removes metals from the body, and has been used successfully for lead poisoning. Dr. James Coplan, a developmental pediatrician, explains why chelation may be the wrong choice for treating autism in children.
Coping: Stress and Autism
Parenting a child with autism is stressful. But when is the stress too much? This article, featuring advice from Robert Naseef, Ph.D., helps parents assess when they might need professional help in coping with the stress that autism brings.
Ordinary Preschool & Autism?
Are ordinary preschools good settings for young children with autism? What are the pros and cons of sending a youngster with autism to a typical preschool?
Top Autistic Education Sites
What are public schools' legal obligations to children with autism? How do different states interpret the law? Can you argue with your district about services? How do you find help? These web sites include information about all these topics and much more.
Will Next Child Be Autistic?
Research shows that genetics play an important role in autism. If you already have one child with autism, how likely is it that your next child will be autistic too?
Best Speech Therapist
Not all speech therapists are created equal when it comes to treating autism. How do you know your child's therapist is the right choice?
Autism and Divorce
Divorce is always toughest on children. When one of the children is autistic, though, there's an added burden. How can parents help an autistic child manage the many changes in his life? How can they help him to communicate and cope with his feelings? Drs. Bob Naseef and Cindy Ariel offer insights into managing a difficulty transition.
Autism Acronyms Defined
Autism acronyms and abbreviations can be baffling. Here are some of the most popular autism acronyms and abbreviations and their definitions in one easy lesson!
Floortime Therapy & Skills
Floortime is an increasingly popular treatment for children with autism. How does Floortime work? Can Floortime make a difference for children with autism?
Speech and Autism Prognosis
If your child with autism isn't talking, don't worry too much. Early speech is not a good predictor of long term outcomes.

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