Is there a cure for autism?
438019
That depends who you ask.  Many parents will tell you that their children "used to be autistic" and that through vitamin therapy, chelation and oxygen therapy they were cured.\n\nIf you ask your average pediatrician, they will tell you that there isn't even any TREATMENT for autism, let alone a cure.  But then, most doctors don't want to admit that heavy metal toxicity, or vacinations have anything to do with it.  (Most doctors won't admit zinc helps a cold..)\n\nOf course doctors want people to fear chelation- for the same reason they want you to fear vitamins and herbs- THEY, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AREN'T MAKING ANY MONEY FROM IT!\n\nAsk an informed parent of an autistic child, and they're likely to tell you "Of course there's a cure.  It's called the DAN! Protocol."
100013
No, there is no cure, just treatments.
1080194
Go to www.autismspeaks.com answers everything...
601153
I'm not sure, but I can recommend a very interesting book about the history of Autism, including, as I recall, some of the early diagnosed cases. \n\n"Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism" by Paul Collins.\n\nHope this helps you!
724670
Yes. After I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, my mother decided not to vaccinate my youngest sister, who is 11 years younger than me. She was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, which is also on the autism spectrum.
1139652
Asperger's Syndrome is a condition similar to autism, and the educational approaches work working with both are often similar. About the prognosis, I would say that it is often good, so don't despair! People with Asperger's Syndrome have won nobel prizes (Vernon Smith), become famous actors (Dan Ackroyd), or become successful computer programmers, scientists, etc.\n\nTo help your friend's child maximize his potential, I would recommend the following educational approaches. Since every child is different, these may or may not apply to your situation or work for you. I would encourage you to keep trying and find a system that works for you friend and their family. She may have already done so, but I would also recommend keeping in close contact with the child's teacher and school to make sure that he  is getting the support needed. Hope this helps! \n\n- Recognize your child's strengths and interests and use these as opportunities for education (for example, if your child is very interested in Star Wars, you can teach math problems about Star Wars, make cleaning up into a game about Jedi powers, etc.) You never know when an interest may turn into a possible career option for the future (I recently read a book written by a man with Asperger's who made his childhood interest in "The Wizard of Oz" into seveal job opportunities! ["Demystifying the Autistic Experience" by William Stillman"]) (Source #1)\n\n- People with autism/Asperger's are often visual learners and learn well with pictures, charts, step-by-step written instructions, etc. (Source #1)\n\n- Consider reading books by authors with Autism/Asperger's (while these are often geared towards adults, I think they offer valuable information) Authors to consider include Temple Grandin, Edgar R. Schneider, Jerry Newport, Stephen Shore, and William Stillman (Source #1)\n\n- I would also advise you to often require him to look at your or participate in some activity with you. Just anything so that he is engaged with you. If he does not respond, you could repeat your instruction, wait, then (if necessary) gently prompt him physically to give you a high-five by touching your hand to his or something like this. Then, when he does it, reinforce this behavior with lots of praise and perhaps a small portion of a favorite snack or something else he likes. It is importnat that he is engaged with a person or an activity (such as reading or a puzzle, etc) on a somewhat frequent basis. That being said, he also will most likely need some time where he is allowed to relax and "be engrossed in his own world." You may also want to develop a system where he can say one word or hand you a card with the word "break" written on it so that he can tell you when he is feeling overwhelmed and needs a break from the situation or activity. (Source #1)\n\n- To motivate him to use language, you could, for example if you know he wants juice, don't just give it to him becuase you know that's what he wants. Have him say, "juice," or if he is not ready for that yet, just the first sound of the word before you give him any juice. Gradually, very slowly, require him to say additional words such as, "want juice," then "want juice please," then "I want juice please, etc." before you give him the juice. Start with him requesting with one word for most of the things he wants, before starting to require sentences. (Source #1)\n\n- "Many children with autism are good at drawing, art and computer programming. These talent areas should be encouraged. I think there needs to be much more emphasis on developing the child's talents. Talents can be turned into skills that can be used for future employment." (Source #2)\n\n- "Teaching generalization is often a problem for children with autism. To teach a child to generalize the principle of not running across the street, it must be
1074699
Asperger's Syndrome is a condition similar to autism. It is a neurological difference, so there is no cure. \n\nMore about the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome can be found here: "The Discovery of "Aspie" Criteria by Dr. Tony Attwood and Carol Gray - http://www.thegraycenter.org/sectionsdetails.cfm?id=38\n\nI would suggest joining a positive online community for persons with Asperger's Syndrome, such as http://www.aspergianpride.com/\n\nI would also highly recommend the following books: \n\n"Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome" by Jerry Newport\n\n"Asperger's and Self-Esteem: Insight and Hope through Famous Role Models" By Norm Ledgin and Dr. Temple Grandin \n\n"Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism" By Paul Collins\n\nGood luck and I hope this helps! \n\n"From my clinical experience, I consider that children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome have a different, not defective, way of thinking." - Tony Attwood
426378
Yes it does .The treatment should start very early by age 3 to be most effective.I work with special needs kids.These kids get up to 40 hours a week of in home therapy.I am working with one little boy who had no language less than a year ago and all he wanted were his visual stims,to make screeching sounds and he never made eye contact.He has had intense therapy and is doing so well with possitive reinforcement.Most people would not even know that he was autistic for the most part.Finding a good therapy really makes a difference.It is awesome to change these kids lives.
579549
Same as the first answer. As far as I know they havn't found a cure yet.
416896
There are many alternative cures, the best way to find out about what is out there is to keep searching. I found a great web site just follow the link there is loads of info.
537034
First of all, ignore the post above. Chelation and oxygenation are for recent damage, usually caused by direct physical injury, and has only minor impact on recent biochemical injury... and note the word "recent." It has NOT been shown effective on Autism, and might do your son more harm than good. Even if it did help older injuries, the poster assumes your son's Autism was triggered by immunization. One cannot just assume that... While the incidence of Autism increased because those with the predisposition to have it were more frequently triggered by the mercury in the immunizations, Autism has been around since the beginning of time.\n\nIt is very difficult to ensure specialized care for any major disorder in rural areas. You may need to visit urban areas regularly in order to find the best care, especially medical, for your son.  I would like to suggest the following to help you get started. It is also important, once you get there, to find other parents dealing with Autism in their children, and learn from those already there.\n\nhttp://www.bbbautism.com/canada_contents.htm\nhttp://www.tvcc.on.ca/gateway.php?id=65&cid=4\nhttp://www.autismsociety.on.ca/\nhttp://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/11/15/autism_lawsuit041115.html\nhttp://www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/newsRoom/newsReleases/050404.htm
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As autism is not technically a "disease," there is no medicine or cure specifically for autism. \n\nAs for your question about home programs, each person with autism is very different and has different needs, so I cannot recommend a specific program. I would suggest, however, that if the person with autism you are asking about is still in school, to be sure to contact his or her teacher(s) and make sure that what he or she is learning at school is being worked on and reinforced at home, to promote generalization of learning. \n\nHere are some recommendations for more information: \n\n"Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism" by Temple Grandin, Ph.D. - http://www.autism.org/temple/tips.html\n\nWebsite of Paula Kluth, Ph.D. - http://www.paulakluth.com/autism.html\n\n"Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew" by Ellen Notbohm - http://www.southflorida.com/sfparenting/sfe-sfp-autism,0,6196233.story\n\nAutism Society of America - http://www.autism-society.org/ \n\n\n"Work to view my autism as a different ability rather than a disability. Look past what you may see as limitations and see the gifts autism has given me. I may not be good at eye contact or conversation, but have you noticed I don't lie, cheat at games, tattle on my classmates, or pass judgment on other people? ... With your support and guidance, the possibilities are broader than you might think. I promise you I'm worth it." - Quotes from 'Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew'
59783
From what you are describing I'm not so sure this is something that you can 'cure'.  What you may be able to do is find ways to help your son with gaining social skills and improving sensory tolerances.  Your son may benefit from behavioral or cognitive therapy targeting social skill development and understanding.  He may need help with learning ways of coping with an overload of sensory input.  He may not be able to provide his own structure but may need to have his environment and routines structured for him.  \n\nA good place to start is by writing down a list or description of symptoms/behaviors/concerns that you feel need to be addressed.  Take a copy of this list to the school ask his teacher if any of these apply to your son in the school environment.  If they do then you can seek a school evaluation to find out what supports may be beneficial to your son in school.  School is not just about academics.  It is also supposed to be about learning how to get along in the world and being able to go on to college, tech school and work.  If you can't socialize or provide self structure then this is a problem.  Your pediatrician is also a good resource for directing you to additional sources of evaluation of his current needs and performance levels.  Once those are fully discerned then you can more appropriately target means of addressing his difficulties.
510047
Hello,\nI am not a mother of an Autistic person, but my younger brother is diagnosed with autism. I do not know if this will help, but here is one major expierence of my brother's.  He began to receive symptoms of ASD shortly after his MMR shot.  He began to stop talking and began to backtrack.  I have done some research myself, and this seems to appear quite a bit around.  Look it up, it's interesting. :) Good luck. :-)
276387
At this point in time, doctors can't seem to agree on definitive causes of Autism. Some believe Autism is congenital(born with) and others believe it is acquired later in life.  Autism has been associated to hypersensitive hearing and even some forms of Mental Retardation. There are even varying degrees of Autism(mild, moderate, severe, profound).  I would look for a Dr. who specializes in Asperger's Syndrome he/she will probably be aware of new causes/treatments.\n\nGood Luck!
206430
My child is three, and autistic, and has sleep issues, too. I use products from Melaleuca, the one that helps him has chamomile, so you could try that. You can buy chamomile tea at any store. If he doesn't like the taste of it, make it up then mix it with juice, or whatever you give him to drink. Just don't let him see you do it. What I use helps him sleep, but doesn't knock him out, I even give it to him during the day to help calm his tantruming.
342669
No, there is no cure, but there are some treatments that are effective for some people.  Check out www.helpforkp.com for treatment options.