Asd Cannot Be Diagnosed Through Genetic Or Medical Testing
One of the first things to realize about the possible cause of ASD is that all of the causal models are theoretical.
For instance, while health professionals know that the presence of a sibling, parent, or close family member with autism can increase a childs relative risk, there is not a genetic test for ASD currently available. Further, one of the largest comprehensive studies of genetics in individuals with autism revealed a staggering 102 genes that could be associated with ASD.
Similarly, while research has observed brain structure differences in individuals with a sensory disorder a common co-occurring condition in those with autism a large-scale study of brain scans of pediatric ASD patients shows no unified pattern of abnormalities.
Studies like these reveal that the causes of ASD could be as complex and diverse as the people themselves. Parents should be aware of risk factors, but more importantly, they should focus on what needs to be done to meet the childs needs now that an ASD diagnosis has been established.
Mr And Mrs Guy And Amber Lia And Mrs Jean Daly
Amber Lia is a work-at-home mom, blogger, public speaker, and co-author of two best-selling books. Her husband, Guy, is a former TV, feature film, and VFX development and production executive who has worked on popular TV shows and films. Guy and Amber own Storehouse Media Group, a faith- and family-friendly TV and film production company based in Los Angeles,
Offspring Of Mothers With The Ptenwt/m3m4 Genotype Show Increased Asd
To interrogate the impact of maternal genetics on the incidence and severity of an ASD-like phenotype in the offspring, PtenWT/m3m4 females were bred to PtenWT/WT males or PtenWT/WT females were bred to PtenWT/m3m4 males to compare pups of a heterozygous mutant mother vs. pups of a homozygous wildtype mother . Average litter sizes from PtenWT/WT females X PtenWT/m3m4 males and PtenWT/m3m4 females X PtenWT/WT males were similar. In contrast, a significant decrease in litter size was observed when PtenWT/m3m4 females X PtenWT/m3m4 males, most likely due to 100% loss of Ptenm3m4/m3m4 homozygous mutant fetuses in-utero around E15.5. For this reason, PtenWT/m3m4 female X PtenWT/m3m4 male crosses were not compared further in the study for the maternal inflammatory state, due to additional inflammatory insults from resorption of homozygous mutant fetuses in-utero. The number of PtenWT/WT and PtenWT/m3m4 pups born were as expected per Mendelian ratios indicating no genotype preference or in-utero mortality differences between the two maternal or offspring genotypes . However, postnatally, PtenWT/m3m4 mothers lost more pups between P0 and P8. Litters of Momsm3m4 had postnatal mortality of 2024% of their pups in 5667% of all litters compared to only 4% pup death in 29% of litters from MomWT .
Fig. 1: Pups of PtenWT/m3m4 mothers have higher postnatal mortality, macrocephaly, and ASD-like behavior compared to PtenWT/WT mothers.
Don’t Miss: Broader Autistic Phenotype
Navigating A Toxic Culture With Your Daughter
As a pediatrician, Dr. Meg Meeker has seen thousands of girls come through her office through the years. They struggle with eating issues, sexual identity, social mediaand many other challenges in this toxic culture. Dr. Meeker will encourage parents to invest love and time in their daughters and develop their character to give them the best opportunity for a bright future, all rooted in a spiritual foundation. The discussion also includes healthy feminism vs. toxic feminism
Signs In The First Six Months Of Life
By the time your baby is 6 months old, they should be able to engage in some basic social interactions with the people who are caring for them most frequently. Absence of these interactions is one of the chief signs of autism during the first six months of a babys life. If your child isnt smiling at you or showing expressions of enjoyment by this age, this might be a clue that your baby may have some developmental delays, according to Helpguide.org. There is also some evidence that very young babies who do not seem interested in the faces of others are at a higher risk for autism. One study, performed by researchers at Yale, observed the amount of time infants spent looking at images of faces. More than two years later, researchers followed up with this same group of infants and found that those who went on to be diagnosed with autism were more likely to belong to the group of infants who spent less time looking at faces.
Don’t Miss: Toys For 3 Year Old With Autism
In Numbers: Autism Facts
Autism is a complex developmental disability involving a biological abnormality in the functioning of the brain. It is not a learning disability or a mental health problem, although people with autism may also be affected by those conditions.
The first detailed description of a child with autism was written in 1799 by the French doctor Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard in his account of the “wild boy of Aveyron”.
People with autism who have an extraordinary talent are known as “autistic savants”. They are extremely rare, with at most one or two in 200 people with an autistic spectrum disorder thought to be savants.
It is likely that more than half of those with an autistic spectrum disorder have an average to high IQ.
Asperger’s syndrome is a form of autism that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people. They may like a fixed daily routine because the world can seem confusing and uncomfortable. People with Asperger’s are less affected by the syndrome and usually able to lead a normal life. David Batty
A response to this article by Simon Baron-Cohen was published on Tuesday 20 January 2009. Read it here. The headline was changed on Wednesday 22 July 2009.
Hypothesis Of Female Underdiagnosis
The prevalence ratio is often cited as about 4 males for every 1 female diagnosed. Other research indicates that it closer to 3:1 or 2:1.
Some authors, clinicians and experts like Judith Gould, Tony Attwood, Lorna Wing and Christopher Gillberg have proposed that autism in females may be underdiagnosed due to better natural superficial social mimicry skills in females, partially different set of symptoms and less knowledge about autism in females among experts. In his preword to the book Aspergers and Girls, Attwood writes: These tentative explanations for the apparent underrepresentation of girls with Aspergers Syndrome have yet to be examined by objective research studies.
Specifically, Gould has discussed the idea that a pervasive developmental disorder called pathological demand avoidance, which is not officially included in diagnostic manuals may offer a glimpse about how autism in females may present in some cases.
Female phenotype
Some have suggested a differential phenotype for autistic women a female-specific manifestation of autistic strengths and difficulties, which fits imperfectly with current, male-based conceptualisations of autism.
Dont Miss: High Frequency Autism
Recommended Reading: Schedule Boards For Autism
What Early Signs Of Autism Should I Watch For In My Child
While the causes of autism remain mysterious, the early signs of autism don’t come out of nowhere. Most parents of autistic children recognize language delays at around 18 months of age. In fact, there are a few red flags that parents can look out for in their child much earlier than that. The American Academy of Pediatrics says some subtle, early signs of autism to look for before baby is 12 to 18 months old include:
- Your child doesn’t turn when you say his or her name by 12 months
- Your child doesn’t turn to look when you point and say, “Look at”
- Your child doesn’t point to show you interesting objects or events
- Your child doesn’t engage in back-and-forth baby babbling
- Delay in smiling and laughing
- Your child doesn’t make and keep eye contact with people
Other early signs of autism that warrant evaluation by your pediatrician include the following :
- No babbling, pointing or other gestures by 12 months
- No single words by 16 months
- No two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months
- Loss of language or social skills at any age
Prenatal Exposure To Environmental Pollution
Information released by Harvard states that pregnant who are exposed to air pollution in the third trimester are twice as likely to have a child with Autism, as compared to women who were not exposed. The study compared 116,000 pregnancy women from all 50 states. The variables that were compiled included where the women lived during their pregnancy as well as pollution levels in that area as provided by the EPA . Levels of PM2.5 or fine particulate matter were noted in 245 children diagnosed with Autism. The comparisons were made before, during, and after pregnancy. Exposure during pregnancy and especially in the third trimester posed a significantly increased risk with diagnosis. The evidence is quite convincing that maternal exposure to air pollutants is a huge risk factor for offspring Autism. Researchers hope that the information will be useful in considering ways to prevent the disorder.
Don’t Miss: Autism Quotient Score
What Is Regressive Autism
Regressive autism is a condition in which a child appears to develop typically but suddenly begins to lose speech and social skills. It is also called autism with regression, autistic regression, setback-type autism, and acquired autistic syndrome. Signs and symptoms are usually seen between the ages of 15 and 30 months. The loss of these skills can be rapid or slow. It is usually followed by a lengthy period of stagnant skill progression.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition issued by the American Psychiatric Association defines regressive autism as any type of autism spectrum disorder involving regression, including childhood disintegrative disorder.
Its vital that a child with regressive autism receives the proper diagnosis early on. Once diagnosed, parents and caregivers can learn the appropriate therapies needed. Keep in mind all children with autism are different, and progress will be dependent on many factors.
The Spiritual Battle For Your Marriage
God designed marriage to reflect His love to the world and because of this, the enemy wants to destroy Gods beautiful design. Based on his book, Defending Your Marriage, Dr. Tim and Noreen Muehlhoff share about the reality of spiritual warfare against marriages, and how to combat the enemys lies with the truth of God. Couples will be encouraged that theyre not alone in the fight for a godly marriage and better equipped to be a shining example for the world around them.
Recommended Reading: Do Kids Outgrow Autism
Little Pointing Or Gesturing
Babies usually learn to gesture before they learn to talk. In fact, gesturing is one of the earliest forms of communication. Autistic children generally point and gesture much less than children with nonautistic development. Less pointing can sometimes indicate the possibility of a language delay.
Another indicator of a developmental difference is when an infants gaze doesnt follow you when youre pointing at something. This skill is sometimes called joint attention. Joint attention is often decreased in autistic children.
Every Pregnancy Is Different
Remember that no two pregnancies are exactly the same. Friends and family members may have stories about their pregnancies and compare the activity level of their babies to yours. Or in a previous pregnancy, you might not have experienced the same level of activity.
All babies are different, but in most cases, an active baby is a healthy baby.
Recommended Reading: How To Do Pivotal Response Training
What To Do If Your Child Is Diagnosed With Autism
First, remember that all children with autism are different, in the way that all adults with heart disease are different. A commonly used catch-phrase is that if you have seen one child with autism, you have seen one child with autism.
If your doctor thinks your child might have autism, they may refer you to a paediatrician so you can get more information and get some help. The paediatrician will do a series of tests. If your child is diagnosed with autism they will advise you about early intervention therapies and services that might help your child.
Autism can have a big impact on you, other children, and family life. It’s important that you work with health and disability professionals to reduce these impacts, and that they are willing to work with you. You need an effective management and treatment plan that works for everyone.
Children Who Later Develop Autism Are Exposed To Elevated Levels Of Steroid Hormones In The Womb According To Scientists From The University Of Cambridge And The Statens Serum Institute In Copenhagen Denmark The Finding May Help Explain Why Autism Is More Common In Males Than Females However The Researchers Caution It Should Not Be Used To Screen For The Condition
This is one of the earliest non-genetic biomarkers that has been identified in children who go on to develop autism
Simon Baron-Cohen
The text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page. For image rights, please see the credits associated with each individual image.
Don’t Miss: Freddie Highmore Disability
Blood Sample Analysis Showed Key Differences In Several Groups Of Metabolites
- Date:
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Summary:
- Blood sample analysis showed that, two to five years after they gave birth, mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder had several significantly different metabolite levels compared to mothers of typically developing children.
Blood sample analysis showed that, two to five years after they gave birth, mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder had several significantly different metabolite levels compared to mothers of typically developing children. That’s according to new research recently published in BMC Pediatrics by a multidisciplinary team from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Arizona State University, and the Mayo Clinic.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from 30 mothers whose young children had been diagnosed with ASD and 29 mothers of typically developing children. At the time that the samples were taken, the women’s children were between 2 and 5 years old. The team found differences in several metabolite levels between the two groups of mothers. When examined further, researchers were able to group those differences into five subgroups of correlated metabolites. While the samples analyzed were taken several years after pregnancy, these research findings raise the question of whether or not the differences in metabolites may have been present during pregnancy as well, suggesting further research is needed in this area.
The Earliest Signs Of Autism In Your Baby
Diagnosis of autism by the time a child is 3 months of age is unheard of, but pediatricians are still keeping an eye out for potentially alarming delays in newborns that may point to an underlying issue. At 3 months of age, most typically developing children will have started to smile, according to the Autism Society. They will also begin to notice and look at faces, especially the faces of those they care about the most. When presented with a moving object, 3-month-olds should be able to follow that object by moving their gaze or shifting their head. Some motor delays could also point to ASD in babies, such as being unable to lift their head or bring their hand to their mouth, according to the Autism Society.
You May Like: Autism Puzzle Piece Symbol
Giving Up Sugar Tasting God’s Goodness
As a latchkey kid, Wendy Speake turned to sugar for comfort. Every Friday, she would pedal to the candy show and use her allowance to fill her bag with candy. And one day, when she was older and a mom of three young boys, she came to realize that she was still pedaling away from her stress and using sugar as comfort, instead of turning to Jesus. She was joyless, worn out, tired, and in need of a change. In this interview, Wendy will challenge Christians to take 40 days to focus on fasting from something they turn to instead of Jesus for comfort. She invited people to break free from a dependence on sugar and taste the goodness of God.
Taking Tylenol During Pregnancy
Use of Tylenol during pregnancy is very common as it is one of the only pain relievers considered safe during pregnancy. However, there is a growing concern that it may be linked to increased risks for the child, including for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder .
Birth cohort studies in Spain and Denmark found an association between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism in the child. One smaller study of the umbilical cord blood of children who were later diagnosed with autism or ADHD found that those with more acetaminophen in their pre-birth blood supply were more likely to develop the disorders.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not recommend any changes in how physicians prescribe acetaminophen at this time until more definitive research is done.
Also Check: The Symbol For Autism
Signs Of Social Difficulties
- Appears disinterested or unaware of other people or whats going on around them.
- Doesnt know how to connect with others, play, or make friends.
- Prefers not to be touched, held, or cuddled.
- Doesnt play pretend games, engage in group games, imitate others, or use toys in creative ways.
- Has trouble understanding feelings or talking about them.
- Doesnt seem to hear when others talk to them.
- Doesnt share interests or achievements with others .
Basic social interaction can be difficult for children with autism spectrum disorder. Many kids on the autism spectrum seem to prefer to live in their own world, aloof and detached from others.
Safer Alternatives To Tylenol:
There are 3 posts that contain alternatives near the end of each post:
The total number of deaths due to the American modern medical system of drugging, unnecessary surgeries, infections, medical errors, etc., is nearly 800,000 people per year! This is more than people who die from heart disease with over 600,000 deaths per year and cancer with over 500,000 deaths per year. ~Dr. Joseph Mercola
I am only on FB now by the grace of God if you want to stay connected, here is one way
Recommended Reading: Autism Life Expectancy United States