Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is milder than autism. It's a label children are given when they don't meet all the criteria of autism, but have some developmental delays. Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified will show different symptoms than others because every child's problem will be different. Children grow and develop at their own rate and children with PDD-NOS are no exception.

One of the symptoms a child might show is unusual behavior. Not every child is going to display this, some will. Let's look closer into this symptom.

1. Unusual behaviors in children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified can be a number of things. There are several behaviors that fall under this category. Your child may have repetitive actions. They want to do the same thing all the time, eat the same meal or just continue to do the same action over and over. This can include continually clapping their hands or twiddling their fingers.

2. Along the same lines, children with PDD-NOS like routine. They want to do the same thing at the same time everyday. They don't like when their schedule goes off track. If it happens, they could have an outburst or a temper tantrum that isn't a normal reaction to the situation. Children with PDD-NOS might set up their room in a certain way and if things are moved could get very angry.

3. Some children will become obsessed with a certain object or subject. If they like airplanes, they may learn everything they can. They will have pictures of them and stare at them in the sky. These obsessive behaviors usually only happen with one thing and the child won't care for much of anything else.

4. Learning a new skill is hard for children with PDD-NOS. Their developmental skills challenge them, but they also don't like change. This can include a number of things such as potty training, brushing their teeth or combing their hair. Because they are so into routine and doing the same thing, having to learn something new will change their lifestyle.

5. Some children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified have sensory issues. They may become attached to a certain cloth beyond the extent of just a blankie. This piece of clothing, or even a smell, could have an unusual calming effect on the child. They will carry this with them and never want to part with it. Many times, they will like something of the same texture and smell as well.

6. Sounds, however, have an opposite effect. Children with PDD-NOS don't like high-pitched sounds. When they hear some thing that is loud, they could have an outburst or a meltdown.

7. Your child may not want to cuddle. They may not want to be touched unless they are playing around. This is unusual in children and should be checked out if that is the case.

These behaviors can be caused by other problems in your child. If any of these behaviors are witnessed, speak to your doctor. Unusual behaviors are also just one symptom of PDD-NOS. There may be other symptoms your child will show if they have Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Updated from ezinearticles.com

Your child may show symptoms of autism, but has been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PPD-NOD). This is milder than autism and will not have all of the symptoms of autism, but a developmental problem.

A doctor will go through a list of criteria to determine if your child PDD-NOS. Assessments will be done in a number of areas.

1. Medical Assessment: If there are any health problems your child is showing a doctor will do a physical to see if there are any other medical conditions present. A doctor will run a number of tests including hearing, blood and urine tests.

2. Educational Assessment: Your doctor will check out your child?s educational level based on where they are supposed to be. There are many different areas the doctor will check such as dressing, bathing, social interaction and other social skills. This can be assessed by interviewing parents, teachers and others who are with the child often. You can also keep a journal of everything your child does and how the child interacts to give to the doctor.

3. Psychological Assessment: A psychologist will be on hand to interview the child to see if there are any mental disorders. Some of the symptoms your child is having could be from other conditions and your doctor will want to rule anything out.

4. Behavior Observation Assessment: A doctor may want to observe your child in his or her natural setting. By watching the child, a doctor will be able to gauge what is going on. They will see firsthand how the child acts around other children their age and in the home environment.

5. Communication Assessment: A doctor will test a child's communication skills because this is an important piece of information to see if a child has autism or PPD-NOD. This doesn't have to be just through words. The doctor will test body language, facial expressions and other forms of communication.

6. Occupational Assessment: Your child's motor skills are an important way to determine if your child has autism or PDD-NOS. This will consist of tests that check the function of the child's motor skills and the child's senses. A child might dislike a certain texture or smell. This is important when figuring out what is wrong with the child.

Many of these assessments are done while interviewing the parents, teachers or anyone else that is close to the child. A child might exhibit different symptoms at different moments. That's why it's imperative to get as many people as you can to give information to the doctor or anyone else involved in the patient's care. These people will have plenty of knowledge to give the doctors. Don't be shy in finding anyone who can help.

After the assessments are complete your doctor or pediatrician will meet with other doctors to diagnose the problem. Here the doctors will decide if the child has autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. Once a child is diagnosed with PPD-NOS, a treatment plan will be given to help your child. This will help your child to have a normal life and communicate with people better. Getting a diagnosis is the first step in helping your child has a better life.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Updated from ezinearticles.com

Hearing your child has autism can be a heart wrenching ordeal. Your first inclination might be to get a second opinion and no one would stop you. However, once your child has been diagnosed with autism, instead of looking for a way out, you should begin treatment. There are signs to look for if you think your child might suffer from autism. If you witness any of problems or abnormal behavior, call your doctor.

Autism is a brain development disorder and is usually diagnosed before a child turns three years old. Here are some symptoms to look for in your child.

- If your child is showing speech regression, there might be a reason for concern. Also, if your child is taking a long time to start talking, longer than most children at that age.

- Another problem you might see is the way your child interacts with other children. Perhaps your child refuses to play with other children or doesn't seem to respond well in social settings, you should visit a doctor to get more information.

If a doctor suspects a problem, they will perform a battery of tests. Every child is different, so one test will not show if a child has autism. Every child has different symptoms and responds to the disorder differently. Your family doctor will do a full work up with family history. If your doctor does suspect any problems, your doctor may refer you to a specialist in autism and similar disorders to get a proper diagnosis.

A doctor will start with performing auditory tests. There could be other reasons your child isn't speaking well or not playing well. It could be due to hearing problems. There are two ways to do a hearing test. The first way is done while a child is awake and reacts to the tones he or she hears. The other is done while the child is sedated and a machine measures the brain activity to certain tones.

Blood and urine tests are usually taken as well to analyze DNA. The doctor is probably looking for the Fragile X syndrome, which normally shows up in children with autism. Along with DNA tests, the doctor may perform an MRI or a CAT scan to examine brain functions.

If your child does get diagnosed with autism, it's important to give your child structure. This is going to start with the doctor. Don't drag your child around to the three or four doctors hoping the diagnosis is going to change. Get one doctor who is going to give your child a uniform treatment. This will help your child in trusting other people if they see the same face all the time.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Updated from ezinearticles.com

Children with autism can still perform daily functions and can be integrated in normal classrooms while at school. However, this is predicated upon the teacher's willingness to learn methods to teaching autistic children and their patience. Autistic children learn and understand differently than other children. They have a different skill set, but can learn a lot. Even though they are limited due to their disability, autistic children can really surprise you when it comes to how much knowledge they can retain.

Teachers and educators need to learn about the disorder. The teacher can take a class or learn lessons that will help autistic children. Autistic children are visual thinkers. They understand pictures and movements better than spoken word. This is an important part of the lesson plan. A teacher should never speak with their back to the autistic child and should use as many visual cues as possible. If a young child is learning about animals, having flash card on the respective animals is important. The child can associate the nouns with pictures and understand the lesson better.

While teaching on autistic child, you might learn they are enamored with a certain object. This could anything from airplanes to cars to mice. When teaching a child with autism, try to use the object that they love in the teaching. This will make them understand everything much better. Use this as a way to motivate their school work.

It is harder to use pictures with other types of ideas such as verbs and adjectives. Simulating an action will go a long way in an autistic child understanding the meaning. Autistic children may have a hard time following long-winded instructions. Once the child gets older, have written instructions for lessons, tests and assignments so the child can follow it easily.

Motor skills are many times compromised with autistic people and thus have a difficult time in writing. To help cope with this problem, try to get those who suffer from autism to use a computer. They can type easier than hold a pencil and will be able to communicate better and be more effectively. Have the keyboard near the computer screen so they can read anything they have written. Those with autism sometimes forget what they have just done or will forget certain sequences. If possible, try to get the autistic child to use art as a form of expression as well. Because those with autism think in pictures, they will have an easier time drawing than writing words.

One thing a teacher should note is never force an autistic child to do something they don't want to do. Teachers have to be firm, but gentle. If a teacher doesn't have the patience to deal with an autistic child this can really hinder the learning experience. Those with autism can lead full lives. A lot of that starts at school.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Updated from ezinearticles.com

There have been some alternative methods in treating autism that are more common than others. Some work alone while others are used in combination. There is no telling which method will work best for your child. Speak with your doctor to learn about alternative treatments for autistic children.

1. Music Therapy: Autistic children have been found to respond to music in a number of ways. Sometimes the music makes them happy and they want to move around, helping with their motor skills. Other times children sing along to the words of the song, helping with speech therapy. This has been seen in children who do not even talk. Music therapy is a natural way to help autistic children.

2. Sensory Integration: Everyone, autistic or not, has a certain smell that reminds them of something happy. Or the touch of a certain cloth will invoke specific feelings. This holds true for some autistic children as well. Researchers have been using sensory skills to get autistic children to react. The autistic children rely more on their hearing, touch, taste and smell to understand and communicate. This is also used to calm autistic children down by using specific odors or textures.

3. Nutritional: An autistic child's diet can have an effect on the way they react. There have many different diets that doctors have been using. Some of the popular diets are gluten-free, which is no wheat products, or removing dairy from the diet. Certain ingredients in foods make autistic act out or have bad reactions. Learn what they are and eliminate them from your child's diet.

4. Omega 3: Omega 3 is a fatty acid that has been found to have health benefits, which includes better sleep patterns, better social skills and better general health. All of these are positive attributes to a child with autism. While you can buy Omega 3 at many nutritional stores, discuss with your doctor the benefits of trying Omega 3 in your autistic child's diet. Omega 3 and other essential fatty acids are needed in a child's normal growth pattern. However, no major studies have been done on the benefits of fish oil for autistic children.

5. Play Therapy: Play therapy works well because it doesn't feel like work. Autistic children are in a more relax atmosphere and have a chance to react naturally. When a therapist begins playing with the autistic child, this will give the therapist and the child a chance to bond. The child will learn to trust the therapist through playing and make the sessions easier. By helping to create bonds through playing, autistic children can learn to play well other children their own age.

Good treatment plans may use some of these alternatives along with medication or you can try them out before resorting to medication. Every child is different, so some of the alternatives therapies could work well for one autistic patient while not work for another. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't work for your child. Just look for ways to keep your child happy while giving your child the best care.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Updated from ezinearticles.com

When you hear that your child has been diagnosed with autism, the worst thoughts come to your mind. You can feel scared, lonely and overwhelmed. All of these feelings are natural when dealing with a new situation, but it doesn't have to be terrifying. There are many organizations and people to help along the way. During the process of coping with the diagnosis of autism, you may go through a mixture of feelings. Here is what to expect and the stages of dealing with the diagnosis.

Stage 1 - Denial: This is common and usually happens immediately after you hear the diagnosis. You could think not my child or the doctors have to be wrong. There is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion but if a second opinion confirms what has been told, don't keep dragging your child from doctor to doctor hoping for something different. It's important to move past this stage of the process because denying the existence of autism isn't going to help anyone, especially the child. The quicker parents accept the diagnosis of autism, the quicker treatment can begin.

Stage 2 - Anger: Getting angry is a natural human emotion. There are different ways to go through this anger. You can get mad at yourself, thinking you did something wrong. You can get angry at God, questioning why your child has autism. You may even get mad at other parents with healthy children, wondering why they don't have to deal with autism. The key when dealing with anger is speaking to someone about it. Speak to someone you trust. Your doctor might be able to refer you to a counselor who can help with these issues.

Stage 3 - Grief: Grief is a very strong emotion, but a natural one in dealing with bad news. Feeling sad is not a bad thing though, so you should never feel guilty about feeling heartbroken. However, don't let this emotion overwhelm you because you might transfer this onto your child who might blame themselves, thinking they did something wrong. Working past grief is important, but it's also a natural process. If you notice you are sitting in stage three too long or people around you think you have been grieving too long, seek the help of a counselor.

Stage 4 - Acceptance: It may have taken some time to get to this stage, but this is the end result in coping with the diagnosis of autism. At this point, you can finally move on with your children and get the best care. Your child is different and this isn't a bad thing, nor should you ever feel that way. Once you finally accept an autism diagnosis, you and your child can move on to have a happy life. Having autism doesn't change that.

Autism can be difficult to manage, especially depending on the severity of the case. There are services to help you, so you never have to feel overwhelmed. If you ever spend too long in any one of the first three stages, seek counseling because those specialized in these kind of cases will be able to help you move on. Not only is it important for parents to accept their child has autism for their own sake, but for the child's as well. The only way to really help your child is by accepting the course of their life.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Updated from ezinearticles.com

Asperger syndrome (also called Asperger's syndrome, Asperger's disorder, Asperger's or AS) is the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in which there is no general delay in language or cognitive development. Like other ASDs, it is characterized by difficulties in social interaction and restricted, stereotyped patterns of behavior and interests. Although not mentioned in standard diagnostic criteria for AS, physical clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported.. A child can either show all the signs relating to Aspergers, or just a few. A few of the common symptoms of Aspergers are listed below.

1. The child may find it difficult talking to other children. Children suffering from this syndrome find it difficult approaching other people and starting conversations.

2. The child might use very advanced words in relation to his or her age. These children use words that only adults use.

3. The child is not able to understand jokes and sarcasm. Children suffering from Aspergers find it difficult to understand tones and voices. They take everything seriously.

4. The child does not have many interests. These children focus on a single thing only. For instance if the child takes to puzzles, he or she will only want to do puzzles always. They will learn as much as they can about one particular subject and focus on that only.

5. The child is not able to cope with change in routine. This is especially hard when the child is starting school. Their home routine is suddenly changed. The same applies for breaks during school year. Autistic children often suffer from this problem.

6. They talk a lot. Children suffering from the Aspergers syndrome usually speak a lot. They speak about everything irrespective of its appropriateness. Their conversations are usually one sided. It will seem like they are talking at you rather than to you.

7. They have problem making new friends. Children with Aspergers find it difficult to make new friends because they are unable to relate to other children. Sometimes they try too hard to make a friend and scare other kids away in the process.

8. They do not make eye contact. Children who suffer from Aspergers usually cannot look at your eyes while speaking. This is found commonly in Autistic children.

9. The child uses repetitive movements. These include bouncing back and forth, spinning around etc. These movements calm and soothe the Aspergers child.

10. They have a problem speaking. The child might speak too fast without noticing whether the person to whom they are speaking is paying attention. Usually they speak in monotones and their tone does not reflect emotions.

11. They have a problem with movement. They often have a problem coordinating their movements and they lack certain coordination skill. They might trip and stumble very often. They might take longer than usual to learn to ride a bike.

Children suffering from Aspergers are the luckiest of those suffering from Autism. Their language skills and intelligence is high. It is relatively easier to teach them social skills to help them get by. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, take him or her to the doctor immediately.

Everyday is a challenge when it comes to living with autistic children. What are thing things you should do when going for a vacation or someplace else? Here is a list of things that the parents of an autistic child can do while traveling with him or her.

1. Plan ahead. Plan all your trips well in advance. This will give the child enough time to get accustomed to the idea of traveling and the child will be familiar with the process. Explain to them the places you will visit and things you will all do.

2. Take along with you some of the objects that the child likes, for instance, his or her favorite toy. Take the blanket and pillow they use daily. Try to take as many familiar items as possible so that the child will not feel lost. This will also allow him or her to get used to a new environment.

3. Take all necessary medications and medicines. The last thing you will need will be to want a medicine that you do not have. Refill the prescriptions before your trip to ensure you do not fall short.

4. Always keep a schedule with you while you travel. As far as possible try keeping the schedule that you use at home. Keep the same bed time everyday. Autistic children feel secure when they stick to a schedule.

5. Ensure your child is not overloaded. If the child suffers from many sensory issues, ensure he or she is not overloaded. If your child is getting overwhelmed, take him or her back to the hotel for some rest. If your child has issues concerning bright lights or loud noises, warn your child well in advance before taking him or her to any such place.

6. Never force the child to do a thing he or she is uncomfortable doing. For instance, if the child does not like loud noises or crowds, do not take him or her to an amusement park. Hire a qualified person to look after your child while you are visiting the park. This way the child could be kept occupied in something he or she finds interesting.

7. Ensure your child is carrying some sort of ID which contains your name and telephone number in case of emergency or in case the child gets lost. If the child can communicate, teach him or her what to say in case he or she gets lost. This will be hard for them, as they do not like dealing with people.

8. Stay calm in case there is some emergency. Your child can pick up your stress if it observes that you are stressed.

9. While traveling, try to keep the child occupied in activities that he or she enjoys. This could include a DVD player or a hand held game etc. This will ensure your child does not get too bored. This also helps distract them incase they start to feel uneasy.

10. Make sure that the place you are staying at is aware that your child is Autistic. This is important so that the staff knows what to do in case your child wanders off. If they see the child alone, they will contact you immediately.

While traveling with a child who is Autistic, extra planning is required. But it is not as difficult as it seems. Just ensure that your trip maintains a certain amount of structure. You and your child will not fail to have a good trip.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Updated from ezinearticles.com

The human body produces Melatonin naturally. Usually the body of an autistic child does not produce enough Melatonin and so they usually have a problem falling asleep. Excessive lack of sleep can cause a lot of problems for an autistic child. The number of unwanted behaviors will increase. Usually, if the child has not slept, the parents do not sleep either. This will lead to both the parent and child being grouchy. Starting a day exhausted can spoil the entire day. Additionally, the child will be cranky and refuse to cooperate with anybody. This makes doctor appointments and therapy very difficult.

If your child is autistic and is having trouble sleeping at night, you could try giving him or her some Melatonin supplements. Most pharmacies and health food stores sell these. Melatonin is safer than using the prescription medicines. Using prescription medication makes the child depend on them for sleep. As the body anyway produces Melatonin, its supplement merely ensures the body has the correct amount of Melatonin required to make the child sleep.

Give the child the Melatonin supplement at least half an hour before his or her bedtime. Ensure you give the minimum dosage that is required for effect to take place. Usually 1-3 milligrams is sufficient for the autistic child to fall asleep with ease. Always give the lowest dosage initially. If you give too high a dose, waking the child can be hard. It could also lead to the child having nightmares. Too high a dose can make the child groggy and tired the next morning. This is not desirable. The child needs to be energized and rested, not sleepy and tired.

Usually, Melotonin does not become less effective with time. With continuous use, there is not much chance that the Melatonin will stop working. If, for some reason, it stops working, discontinue the course for a couple of days or weeks. After this the dosage can be restarted and it should work. It has been shown that autistic children who have taken Melatonin have shown additional positive results. Children who take Melatonin are found to be more alert after their sleep. It has also helped children suffering from depression or anxiety. In this way you can avoid certain medicines that have unfavorable side effects.

If the autistic child is not sleeping well, Melatonin is the best bet. A good night's rest is essential for any child, especially an autistic one. If your child is already on some other medication to get sleep, consult your doctor if Melatonin is a good substitute. This should be given to the child only once, and that too, before bedtime. Giving Melatonin late at night or in the middle of sleep can disrupt the internal clock of the child. This could increase the problems the child suffers from.

Consider Melatonin if your doctor recommends using sleeping medication for your autistic child. There are no side effects and the child does not be dependent on it to help him or her sleep. Because our bodies produce Melatonin, it is completely natural. When our bodies do not produce enough, it is all right to supplement it. The Melatonin supplement will add the amount that our body needs in order to fall asleep and get a good night's rest.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Updated from ezinearticles.com

A lot of parents and guardians of autistic children often ask themselves whether autism can be cured. Unfortunately it cannot be cured. You might often see many ads on products and books that offer cures for autism, but they are only misleading you. There is no actual cure for autism. There are only treatments that can make it easier to live with autism. Here are a few treatments to help autistic people.

Therapies

There are a number of therapies available that help treat autism. Physical, occupational, speech, behavioral, music, drug, play, music and many other different types of these therapies can make a difference in an autistic child's life. These therapies are not cures for autism but they do make life easier for an autistic child. It will teach the child different ways of coping with the autism.

Alternative treatments

Today, many alternative and natural treatments are gaining popularity. These include using herbs in the place of prescription medicines. Unlike traditional medicines, herbs do not cause any side effects. Mineral and vitamin supplements are proving to be good treatments for autism. If you are giving any natural product to your child, ensure that your doctor is informed. There are a few herbs that react negatively with prescription medicines. Do not forget that these minerals and vitamins are not cures but only treatments. They help treat certain autism symptoms.

Nutritional Methods

There are a few people who prefer to treat autism by regulating the diet. Elimination of certain food items that cause sensitivities is a method. A few food products that need to be removed from the diet include Dairy, Gluten and artificial des. Removing these foods that are responsible for the sensitivities will help in the removal of the particular behavioral problem. Test your child for possible food allergies. Find out from your child's doctor how to go about allergy testing. Such information can let you know what food products are causing behavioral problems in your child. This also can give you a clear picture of what food stuff to eliminate from the diet in order to treat autism.

Although there is not yet any cure for autism, the different treatments available help with the symptoms to a great extent. Make sure you do not try out too many treatments at one go. Try them one by one. It should take only a few months to determine if the particular treatment is working positively. There is absolutely no treatment that gives results overnight. Inform your doctor in case you are adopting a vitamin or herbal treatment. The doctor knows best what works and what does not. Very often herbs can cause negative reactions in conjunction with medicines. Therefore it is for the best if your treatment team knows what exactly is going on. This helps ensure your child is getting positive treatment.

There are many products that will say that they can cure autism but do not waste your time and money on them. If there really were a cure, your doctor would tell you, not some person on television. If you child is autistic, give him or her a good consistent treatment. This can lead to positive results.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Updated from ezinearticles.com

Almost all autistic children have a problem acquiring the skill of self-discipline. In addition to inappropriate outbursts, this can include potentially dangerous habits such as aggression towards others or themselves like banging their own head on walls. Self-management is one technique that teachers and parents can use to help the child avoid such behavior and activities. The key to controlling violent behavior and moving towards more positive behavior is giving the child control over him or her.

The reason self-management works is because no longer is the child fully controlled by other people. Teaching self-management to the child at specific times of the day, like when the child is in therapy or at school, will increase the chances of the child practicing self-management at other times of the day also. It is necessary to implement programs through which the child gets to monitor her or his own activities and behavior. Start with smaller amounts of time, while monitoring the child from a passive standpoint. Remind the child every fifteen to twenty minutes that she or he is in full control of her or himself and needs to be aware of the kind of behavior that is good and bad.

This kind of monitoring is a kind of self-evaluation. When the child controls his or her own behavior, he or she thinks more attentively about his or her own behavior in the present and past. Make sure that the child sets clear goals; such as a day without causing any injury to anybody. Every fifteen minutes check if the child is doing as promised. Has the goal been achieved? If the child is unable to achieve these goals, perhaps the child is not yet prepared for self-management and the goals are too tough to understand and comprehend. Ensure the goals you set are easily accomplishable initially, and then continue to increase the difficulty level according to the child's progress. As the child's progress in self-monitoring increases, he or she will automatically gain a more positive approach towards the entire experience.

The reward system is an integral part of the program of self-management. Make the children come up with their own rewards relating to their own interests. Reinforce the goals so that the child understands clearly what is good and what is bad and through the method of self-reward, the child will gain confidence in self-monitoring and self-management. Start with simple rewards, such as a sad face for every goal that is not met and a smiley face for every goal that is met. In this manner, move towards a larger goal like a toy or a special activity after a certain number of smiley faces have been achieved.

It is not an easy process to develop these programs, and they do not work overnight. It is important to ensure that the child devotes sufficient amount of time on these self-management activities. The combination of good behavior and reward, enforced by the children themselves, increases the likelihood of them practicing it even without any adult supervision. If the child is old enough, this method can even be used as a good treatment program.

Updated from ezinearticles.com