Do We All Have Autistic Tendencies

Strategies Or Programs To Implement

ABAApplied behavior analysis

• Through the ABCs of ABA, the antecedent and the consequence can be manipulated to train self-control
• The goal of ABA is always to manipulate behavior from one that is maladaptive to one that allows the child to become more functional and engage effectively in his/her environment

Functional behavior analysis

• The basic understanding of FBA is that every behavior has a purpose and it is aimed at understanding what is the purpose of this behavior
• The assessment helps to define the behavior and thereafter a behavior intervention plan is created to address the behavior issues and establish impulse control
• An FB analysis firstly seeks to define the behavior i.e. rather than saying that the child is disruptive, it rather explains what happened during that behavior
• The next step is to provide information of the moment the where, when, and how often?
• It is followed by asking why?. Why is the child acting this way? and lastly, draft a plan normally, this is done by creating a behavior intervention plan

Reinforcement strategies

• Under ABA, theres a method called differential reinforcement. The goal of differential reinforcement is to encourage appropriate behavior by either taking away a reinforcement or giving one
• Positive and negative reinforcement can also be used.
• Reinforcement strategies have the common goal of increasing the occurrence of an adaptable and socially acceptable behavior

Functional communication training

Do Changes In Your Routine Upset You

Its OK not to like change. After all, humans are creatures of habit. However, for autistic people, change can be a much more intense experience. Any change in routine can cause extreme distress and anxiety. It can make them feel overwhelmed, panicked, and unable to adjust to the change.

If you find that changes in your routine cause you extreme distress, it could be an indicator of autism. Remember, its normal not to like change, but extreme reactions could mean something more is going on.

Are Certain Breeds Prone To This Condition

Certain breeds, like Bull Terriers and German Shepherds among others, can display OCD characteristics like compulsive-tail-chasing. The Mayo Clinic, referring to autism in humans, talks about the causes saying that for some children, autism spectrum disorder can be associated with a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome.

For other kids, genetic changes may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. The X syndrome can affect dogs too, leading us to Bull Terriers and their obsessive compulsion for tail-chasing.

Though at first, it looked just as a pure obsessive-compulsive disorder, after comparing the genetic code of this breed to others that also showed OCD behavior, they found something incredible The Bull Terriers didnt have the mutation that usually triggers the obsessive-compulsive disorder in the other dogs.

Chasing the tail is not the only compulsive behavior Terriers show, they also have other weird attitudes, and guess what? They are autistic-like behaviors. Prominent forehead, elongated face, large ears and high-arched palate:Thats the description of a Bull Terrier.

If this isnt enough coincidence, research published in 2014 by scientists at Tufts University School of Medicine, showed that Bull Terriers and human autists share something interesting: they both have elevated levels of neurotensin and corticotrophin releasing hormone, giving medicine a lot to think.

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How Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Play

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder tend to be less spontaneous than other kids. Unlike a typical curious little kid pointing to things that catch their eye, children with ASD often appear disinterested or unaware of whats going on around them. They also show differences in the way they play. They may have trouble with functional play, or using toys that have a basic intended use, such as toy tools or cooking set. They usually dont play make-believe, engage in group games, imitate others, collaborate, or use their toys in creative ways.

Is It Hard For You To Handle Bright Lights Or Loud Noise

People with autism may be sensitive to sounds, lights, smells, sights and textures. This is often referred to as sensory overload. Its important to know that most people have some sensory sensitivities. People with autism have difficulty performing even simple, everyday tasks in the presence of sensory overload. Sensory overload can take many different forms, such as:

• Smells: Inability to use or be around specific cleaning supplies, perfumes/colognes and foods.
• Sounds: Inability to focus when clocks are ticking, there is loud traffic and fear of the loud sounds from fireworks or lawnmowers.
• Sights: Avoidance of bright lights, pictures and signs.
• Textures: Difficulty with touching gels, slippery foods and mud.

The good news is that autism treatments like ABA Therapy can help you cope with sensory overload. In ABA therapy, you can learn skills that will help you adapt to the presence of sensory environments and incorporate replacement strategies so that you can go about your daily life.

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Tip : Manage Anxiety And Depression

Some people find that anxiety and depression go hand in hand with symptoms of ASD. For example, difficulty relating to others can lead to feelings of anxiety. Increased anxiety can, in turn, make it even harder to communicate. You might even feel so flustered that you cant form sentences.

Feelings of isolation can also trigger depression. But there are steps you can take to manage your mood and improve how you feel.

Stay active. Exercise is good for the mind and eases stress. Some studies show that vigorous exercise can be especially useful for helping adults with ASD manage aggression. Find an aerobic exercise that fits neatly into your routine and wont potentially throw your schedule into chaos. It may be something as simple as going for daily walks or runs. Make sure its something you enjoy, so youre more likely to stick to it.

Rely on close friends. Socializing can also be good for your mood, as long as the people youre with dont stress you out. Find people who share your interests. Thanks to the Internet, its easy to find people in your local area who share your interests. If possible, look for conventions or other gatherings where people who share your hobby come together and interact in person.

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About Dr Sarah Wooten Dvm Cvj

A 2002 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sarah Wooten is a well known international speaker in the veterinary and animal health care spaces. She has 10 years experience in public speaking and media work, and writes for a large number of online and printanimal health publications. Dr. Wooten is also a certified veterinary journalist, a member of the AVMA, and has 16 years experience insmall animal veterinary practice. To learn more, visit drsarahwooten.com.

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Can You Be A Little Autistic

No, there is no such thing as being a little autistic. Many people may show some characteristics of autism from time to time. This may include avoiding bright lights and noises, preferring to be alone and being rigid about rules. This does not make them autistic.

However, a person can be mildly autistic. Mildly autistic people are unable to understand the body language or emotions of the people around them. However, they have normal intelligence and can carry their day-to-day activities.

Do I Have Autism 10 Questions To Ask Yourself

Did you know that there are millions of people in the United States who have autism? The CDC estimates that 5,437,988 people in the country have autism.

That means that its more common than you thought for you or someone you love to have autism. If youre unsure if you fall into this category, there are some questions you can ask yourself to find out. Remember, many neurotypical people exhibit some degree of each of these characteristics. What makes these characteristics different in people with autism is that it impacts their ability to participate in everyday life. Its important to check with your doctor before self-diagnosing.

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Causes And Risk Factors Of Autism

The medical community has yet to definitively explain why autism develops in some individuals and not in others. But there are several risk factors, both genetic and environmental, that have been found to be associated with the disorder, Veenstra-Vanderweele says.

There are other potential risk factors. Prenatal exposure to some medications, premature birth, low birth weight, as well as the age of an individuals parents, may raise the odds. But a lot more research needs to be done to better understand those connections, Veenstra-Vanderweele says.

not no

Parents and pediatricians need to work together to communicate to everyone the fact that vaccinations do not cause autism, Veenstra-Vanderweele says. Not vaccinating children puts those children at higher risk for diseases and increases the risk of those diseases spreading to others.

Translational PsychiatryJAMA Network Open

Since When Do They Show The Symptoms

As said before, dogs cant get sick with autism, and theyre born with the condition. Therefore, they present the symptoms since they are puppies. As with human children, its essential to know if your dog has autism to begin treatment as fast as possible.

Its a condition, not a disease.

As said before, dogs are born with this condition, is genetic and built-in their systems. It cannot be cured. Nevertheless, it can be treated to palliate the symptoms.

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Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism is not a single disorder, but a spectrum of closely related disorders with a shared core of symptoms. Every individual on the autism spectrum has problems to some degree with social interaction, empathy, communication, and flexible behavior. But the level of disability and the combination of symptoms varies tremendously from person to person. In fact, two kids with the same diagnosis may look very different when it comes to their behaviors and abilities.

If youre a parent dealing with a child on the autism spectrum, you may hear many different terms including high-functioning autism, atypical autism, autism spectrum disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder. These terms can be confusing, not only because there are so many, but because doctors, therapists, and other parents may use them in dissimilar ways.

But no matter what doctors, teachers, and other specialists call the autism spectrum disorder, its your childs unique needs that are truly important. No diagnostic label can tell you exactly what challenges your child will have. Finding treatment that addresses your childs needs, rather than focusing on what to call the problem, is the most helpful thing you can do. You dont need a diagnosis to start getting help for your childs symptoms.

Whats in a name?

Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder

In order to determine whether your child has autism spectrum disorder or another developmental condition, clinicians look carefully at the way your child interacts with others, communicates, and behaves. Diagnosis is based on the patterns of behavior that are revealed.

If you are concerned that your child has autism spectrum disorder and developmental screening confirms the risk, ask your family doctor or pediatrician to refer you immediately to an autism specialist or team of specialists for a comprehensive evaluation. Since the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is complicated, it is essential that you meet with experts who have training and experience in this highly specialized area.

The team of specialists involved in diagnosing your child may include:

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Determine Whether You Have Autism Or Not

Remember, many neurotypical people exhibit some degree of each of these characteristics. What makes these characteristics different in people with autism is that they impact their ability to participate in everyday life. If you think that you have autism, youll want to speak to a medical professional. Even if youve never been diagnosed, there are therapy techniques that can be helpful.

If you have an autism diagnosis, Applied Behavior Analysis therapy can help. The team at ABA Centers of America is always available to answer your questions about ABA therapy. Call now to learn more about how we treat adults, teens and children with autism.

How Common Is Asperger Syndrome

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Different Questionnaires Different Results

One recent study by Dr. Peters, Dr. Goin-Kochel and others illustrated the difficulty in assessing the BAP.11 The study involved the Simons Simplex Collection, which includes 1,650 families who have just one child with autism. When autism strikes a family “out of the blue,” as it did in the SSC families, it’s more likely that any genetic change that contributed to that child’s autism was not inherited from a parent. The researchers used three different assessment tools. They found that a small percentage of the parents had the BAP, but how many parents depended on the tool used. The percentage of parents with the BAP ranged from almost none to 12 percent, depending on the test.

What explains these differences between assessment tools? It may be that each one measures a different concept of the BAP. Another explanation may be found in the way each assessment was conducted. One assessment was completed by the parent herself, another by her partner, and the third by a researcher. “Folks sometimes see themselves differently than their partners do, and often they behave differently in different contexts, which is why we felt it was important to examine BAP from these different perspectives,” said Dr. Goin-Kochel.

Do You Get Confused Whether Someone Is Joking Or Not

One sign that a person may have autism is if it is difficult for them to read facial expressions. This can make it difficult for them to understand when someone is being sarcastic or when they are telling a joke. People who struggle with autism tend to need others to explain jokes to them.

Another sign that a person may have autism is that what you think is funny most people wouldnt consider funny. If you find yourself fitting into this category, theres a chance that you could have autism.

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Related Signs And Symptoms Of Autism Spectrum Disorder

While not part of autisms official diagnostic criteria, children with autism spectrum disorders often suffer from one or more of the following problems:

Sensory problems Many children with autism spectrum disorders either underreact or overreact to sensory stimuli. At times they may ignore people speaking to them, even to the point of appearing deaf. However, at other times they may be disturbed by even the softest sounds. Sudden noises such as a ringing telephone can be upsetting, and they may respond by covering their ears and making repetitive noises to drown out the offending sound. Children on the autism spectrum also tend to be highly sensitive to touch and to texture. They may cringe at a pat on the back or the feel of certain fabric against their skin.

Emotional difficulties Children with autism spectrum disorders may have difficulty regulating their emotions or expressing them appropriately. For instance, your child may start to yell, cry, or laugh hysterically for no apparent reason. When stressed, they may exhibit disruptive or even aggressive behavior . The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities also notes that kids with ASD may be unfazed by real dangers like moving vehicles or heights, yet be terrified of harmless objects such as a stuffed animal.

Savant skills in autism spectrum disorder

Living With Adult Autism Tip : Improve Communication And Relationships

If other people have a hard time reading and understanding youand you themyoull likely have difficulty with relationships. But you can still find ways to nurture a healthy social life.

Consider disclosing your diagnosis. Talking about your diagnosis can be difficult and the social stigma attached to ASD may make you shy away from doing so. While disclosure is entirely up to you and your comfort level, it may help improve some relationships. Letting close friends and family know about your diagnosis can help them understand why you have a hard time interpreting their sarcastic comments, for example, or why youre distressed by sounds that seem normal to everyone else.

Note when youre experiencing sensory overload. Perhaps you find it difficult to keep up with everything thats going on in an intense group conversation. Or maybe something as simple as loud traffic or a barking dog is bothering you. Do what you can to minimize distractions. This might involve switching rooms or leaving a larger group for a one-on-one chat.

Look for common ground with the person youre talking to. Establishing commonalities can lead to more relaxed and enjoyable conversations. If you have similar hobbies, thats, of course, great news. Otherwise, you can look for other things you both like or dislike. This could be anything from a shared interest in cars to a shared dislike for loud noises.

Support groups for adults with autism

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Autism Traits Common Among Healthy People

Sarah DeWeerdtFull spectrum:

Two large studies published in the past two months have found that traits linked to autism are widely distributed in the general population. Although about 1 in 100 children is diagnosed with autism, up to 30 percent of people may have at least one of the traits associated with the disorder.

Those with one or more autism-associated traits also appear to be at higher risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , anxiety, depression and substance abuse.

Family members of people with autism often have milder versions of behaviors seen in people with the disorder. Over the past decade, many researchers have described autism as the extreme end of a behavioral continuum. The new results suggest that these milder behaviors extend to many other disorders.

Essentially, a large-scale replication of data from a number of laboratories that suggested this continuity, says John Constantino, professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, who was not involved in either study.

Altogether, the two studies relied on responses from more than 34,000 people in the U.K. and Sweden to questionnaires about autism-like symptoms.