The 7 Biggest Problems You’ll Experience with Your Aspergers Child –And How to Overcome Them

• Does my child really have autism?
• What will his or her future be like?
• How can I identify with what they are thinking and feeling?
• What can I do to enhance my autistic child’s future?
• What are the autistic signs, causes, and symptoms?

No disorder is as confusing to comprehend or as complex to diagnose as autism. And, no disorder has more myths and misconceptions surrounding it than autism.

Listen to leading autism expert, Dr. Newmark, as he reveals the results of many years of natural and medical treatments covering all treatment options, some of which may be new to you. You will also learn which natural treatments provide a definate reduction in symptoms in many children with autism. And soy?…Don’t rely on Soy until you hear this interview. And Dr. Newmark discusses an organization that may have a doctor that is an autism expert in your area.

We would like to share the steps we have taken to get coverage. This are not difficult, and if you follow these steps, you could have a bed in your home soon. By following these steps, you could have a bed in your home and know your child is safe without spending money that you need.

We would also like to offer you a way to make some money. If you are in one of the states that is not been approved for coverage yet and would like to document the steps needed to get approval.  Please fill out the contact form and let us know. We will pay you.

Thank you for your interest in the Noah’s World Bed.

Download as pdf

How to Apply for Reimbursement for Your Noah’s World Bed

1. Speak with your child’s pediatrician regarding your concern for their safety. Explain that they may be awake and active during “sleep hours.” If possible, give specific examples of situations where your child’s safety may have been compromised (for example, he or she got out of the house, climbed on furniture, fell down the stairs, etc.)

2. Have your child’s pediatrician write a letter of medical necessity and/or a prescription or the Noah’s World Bed.

3. Contact your Medicaid/insurance case manager and request payment for a Noah’s World Bed.

4. As parents or guardians, write a letter to your Medicaid/insurance provider describing:

• What your life is like now and why you need the bed
• How the bed will solve the concerns listed
• How your child will be safe with the Noah’s World Bed

5. Ask your child’s therapists and teachers to each write a letter of support and need for Noah’s World Bed as well.

6. In some areas, it may be necessary to have your local fire and police departments endorse this bed as safe in case of an emergency. (With a Noah’s World Bed you will always know where your child is at night.)

7. You may also contact a local durable medical equipment (DME) dealer to help you with this process. (Have them contact us at matt@noahsworldllc.com.)

The causes of autism is many and varied, but with certainty the occurrences worldwide in every ethnic and social class is on the rise in the last 30 years. Statistics show more boys than girls are susceptible and tentatively 90% of autism cases are genetic. Some recent research pin point a link between genetic and environment but nothing is known for certain.

One study found the higher parental age may be a factor with genetic material integrity. Another study, with research inconclusive stated prenatal environment with exposure to pesticides especially in the first 8 weeks of gestation of the fetus may be the cause. And then there is the infectious diseases possibly rubella virus could be the culprit. There are many Causes of Autism, but there are many more that could be multiple factors in each cause diagnosed.

One thing that has surfaced through research is that early intervention is paramount. With early intervention with treatment many children are showing great improvements. It is usually early in a child’s life that parents notice abnormalities in a child’s development. The child does not make spontaneous eye contact or even avoids it. They will not respond to their name and social interaction is avoided. A smile will not be returned and verbal skills are replaced with gesture and pointing as they don’t understand emotional responses. They will seem to have their own rituals or rules to deal with reality and to get what they want. Any change in their environment or ritual will result in a tantrum. Any of these symptoms is an indicator that something may be amiss and further information sought.

An appointment with the pediatrician is made and if a development disorder is suspected you are referred to a neurologist specialist. After specialized testing has been completed a diagnosis is made into which category of autism to be placed. Sometimes with mild autism a child can reach school age without being diagnosed. The Causes of Autism is many and varied with each child and often a big challenge. Symptoms vary, making a tailor made treatment for each child which makes it necessary to be taught skills as a daily routine for the rest of their life.

The causes of autism can be varied and to find out about them and treatments available visit our site at http://www.all-about-autism.com where you will be provide with the best information available on Autism.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marilyn_Rogers
http://EzineArticles.com/?Causes-of-Autism—Is-it-Genetic-Or-the-Environment?&id=2872159 ]]> http://noahsworldllc.com/causes-of-autism-is-it-genetic-or-the-environment/feed 0 http://noahsworldllc.com/use-of-melatonin-as-sleep-aid-for-children-with-autism http://noahsworldllc.com/use-of-melatonin-as-sleep-aid-for-children-with-autism#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:51:21 +0000 Chris http://noahsworldllc.com/?p=765 Sleep disorders in children with autism are a consistent and pervasive problem. According to most studies, approximately 80 percent of children with autism have some sort of sleep disorder. (According to the University of California at Davis MIND Institute, up to 89 percent of autistic children have a sleep disorder.) There a number of different theories on ways to ease the transition into sleep for autistic children: having a nighttime ritual, consistent bedtime, and sensory integration, among others.

One way to aid sleep that is gaining traction is the use of melatonin. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland (and regulated by serotonin) that governs a person’s sleep pattern. There has been some research that shows that many people with autism have a significant imbalance in their serotonin levels. When these serotonin levels are off, the body will have difficulty regulating the amount of melatonin produced by the pineal gland. This may be one reason why many children with autism have difficulties sleeping.

Recently, there was a small study (12 children) regarding the potential use of melatonin as a sleep aid published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (April 15, 2009) that showed some potential. For this small sample, children ranging from 2 to 15 years old took melatonin for two weeks and a placebo for two weeks. Overall, the study showed some promise.

While taking the melatonin, the children’s overall length sleep increased by 21 minutes and the length of time it took for the child to fall asleep decreased by 42 minutes. Dosage levels ranged from 0.5 mg to 10 mg depending on age, body weight, etc. Melatonin was given approximately 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime to increase its effectiveness.

Although promising, there are caveats to this—and other studies—regarding the use of melatonin:

First, the study mentioned here has an extremely small sample and was not a blind study; the parents knew when they were giving their child a placebo and the melatonin.
Secondly, there have been no long-term studies to determine how prolonged use of melatonin affects children—adversely or positively.

Significantly, a number of scholarly journals as well as Medline Plus—a website run by the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health—all say essentially the same thing: “Well-designed controlled trials in select patient populations are needed before a stronger or more specific recommendation can be made.” (www.nlh.nih.gov/medlineplus)

Parents want what is best for their children, and there is a possibility that melatonin could be an answer to their autistic child’s sleep problems. However, it is likely that melatonin isn’t the only answer; rather it might be one piece to a jigsaw puzzle that improves an autistic child’s sleep. Even though melatonin is classified as an herbal supplement in the United States, you should always consult with a doctor before beginning use.

You and your wife are at a cocktail party. Men and women divide, equally and normally along gender lines. Soon, the conversation turns from work and the economy to how the family is doing. You hate this conversation. As the circle begins to close in around you, you take a step back so that you are on the outside.

One friend brags about how his precious little Brittany is already sleeping through the night at 3½ months. Another friend starts talking about how he is sure that his precocious prodigy, Biff, will be a phenomenal athlete and scholar and he knows this because Biff is way advanced for a 2-year-old and he knows because he read an article once…that would be your friend who read the article, not Biff. Although if you ask your friend, he is certain that Biff can read because he held up a card on your birthday and said, “Dadadadada” meaning that the card was for dad, even though your friend’s name is, Hampton, so…yeah.

You listen quietly, still meekly standing on the outside of the circle while your friends brag about how great their children are. You aren’t sure what to say, because your child is autistic.

As quickly as the conversation started, it subsides and the immediate surroundings grow quiet. You feel like everyone is looking with pity and there is an uncomfortable silence. No one quite knows what to say. They know that your child does not sleep through the night, even at age 5, and he is much more likely to be interested in watching paint dry than engaging in some sort of social interaction with a peer group, let alone letting you parade him around through the living room so that all of your friends can “oooh and ahhh” while you brag.

As you shift from one leg to another, your only thought is that you and your spouse are so alone in this world. No one else understands what you are going through: the sleepless nights as a result of having an autistic child that wakes up and wanders throughout the house trying to get into…well…everything. No one understands the endless parade through your house (and wallet!) of doctors, speech therapists, behavioral consults, cognitive behavioral consults, cognitive behavioral therapists, and analytical behavior psycho-whatevers! No one understands how it is suddenly impossible to have friends because their children are “normal.”

You and your wife steal furtive glances across the room because no one else understands. You look at your watch doing the mental calculation of when you got there and how quickly you can leave without seeming to be rude. And then, something amazing happens.

Someone outside your immediate circle taps you on the shoulder and asks, “Hey, my name is Julie, and my daughter’s autistic. Bob mentioned to me that your son is, too. We’ve had a really hard time getting her to go to sleep; do you have a similar problem? If so, do you have any advice?” You feel as if the clouds opened, the Red Sea parted, and the proverbial monkey was off your back. Someone else has a child like yours!

Of course that is not how it will really happen, but the point is the same. Currently, three to six children out of every 1,000 children born will have autism. That means that if you live in a small town of 600 people, statistically speaking, there will likely be at least one other family who has an autistic child. You are most definitely not alone.

And yet, when faced with the fact that your children may not be “normal,” it can become isolating and possibly even a divisive force within a marriage. There are two steps that you can take to help make things at least a little more palatable:

1. Listen to each other. Just remember that the most important part about a dialogue isn’t that two people talk, but each person also listens. You’re raising your child together and you’ll be facing the same challenges, but by virtue of the fact that you’re different people, you’ll have different viewpoints. Use this to your advantage and as a source of strength.

2. Find a support group. If you can’t find one, consider starting one. Being able to talk to other people who are currently facing the same issues as you is invaluable. They may have found some creative solutions to problems that you have been having. You can share stories of good days and bad days, share resources and information about doctors and teachers, celebrate triumphs, and maybe even discuss parental fears.

In a world surrounded by images and tales of “perfect” children, and a society that continually tells you that if your child doesn’t fit into these social norms than he or she is lacking, don’t believe it. And don’t, for a second, believe that you are alone in having an autistic child.

Resources for Parents

In the “old days” (say, before the mid-1990s), there was no such thing as the internet. When a person wanted to find out information, he or she put on hiking boots and started the long uphill walk (both ways in the snow) to the local community library. Once there, he or she had to look for resources and information in a card catalogue, which directed people to various books throughout the library. Of course, libraries continue to be great free resources of information.

Today, we also have the world wide web and all of the resources that are associated with it. Luckily, most libraries have internet connections so new resources and research are also available to everyone—even if you do not have internet access in your home. As autism gains recognition, there are more and more websites devoted to general information about the disorder. Even better, institutions and colleges that used to be virtually off limits to the general public, now throw open their virtual doors allowing hoi polloi to browse their voluminous tomes of information and research.

While much of the research available is technical jargon that might be difficult for even the most steadfast student of human development to read, there is still a great deal of common sense material available with just a few clicks of a button. Many of these institutions will have watered down frequently asked question (FAQ) sheets or general information that is fairly easy to find (and if you’d like, printout).

One such organization is the National Autism Association (www.nationalautismassociation.org). They have a great deal of information about autism in general as well as a list of local autism chapters that are spread intermittently throughout the continental United States. In addition, they have a section devoted exclusively to various treatments for autism, although, at this time, they do not make a recommendation for one type of treatment over another.

Don’t be afraid, however, to check out resources outside of the country, such as the National Autistic Society (NAS), which is based in the United Kingdom (www.nas.org.uk). The NAS is a leader in the fight to bring autism awareness in the U.K. and has specific information for parents, grandparents, partners, siblings, etc. They also have a media center, which could be important if you are acting as an advocate because you do not feel that you are getting the response you deserve. As a friend’s daughter once said, “I’m going to ask the same question, but this time I want a different answer.”

Another site that has a wealth of information is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (www.ninds.nih.gov). Again, because this is a large government institution, it is a clearinghouse of information. There will be generic information for the layperson as well as more detailed information that a seasoned reader will be able to sink his or her teeth into including research literature, and other resources and organizations that provide information for parent’s of autistic children.

There are, of course, other good sources of general autistic information. If you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver of a child who was has been diagnosed with autism, begin your internet research to orient yourself with the basic facts. About.com and WebMD.com provide basic autistic information and include references to other sites and organizations.

Parents and caregivers should also talk with their child’s doctors and therapists and ask questions about issues that concern them and their autistic child. It is likely that your child’s medical team will be able to point you toward even more resources for autistic children and families in your community.

Whatever resources you decide to use, try to remember one thing: It is vital that you educate yourself. There is nothing easy about being a parent of an autistic child, but it’s even harder if you don’t understand the neurological disorder.

Raising a Child with Autism

My grandmother rarely talks about raising her third son, who was autistic. He was defined as autistic almost before there was a classical definition for autism. My dad and uncles remember what life was like having an autistic child in the family. The attention was taken away from them, and they witnessed lots of their brother’s temper tantrums. They also remember my grandfather gently cooing, in the hopes that he could calm him down at night, “Mikey Pete, Mikey Pete, you’re so sweet, don’t rock that seat.” Sadly, it never quite settled down their brother.

Ultimately, my grandparents were unable to take care of my uncle, and they sent him away to a state institution, as many other parents of autistic children did in the late 1950s and early 1960s. This was before Sen. Robert F. Kennedy stood on the steps of Willowbrook calling the institution “criminal.” They didn’t know how awful it was. Once they did, it was too late.

Now, of course, we know the price of admitting a child with autism into a state institution. As a result, many parents opt to take care of their children at home, hiring behavioral consultant after behavioral consultant in the hopes that they can manage. Raising a child with autism is very hard work, and at times it can feel like an overwhelming responsibility. Perhaps the most daunting task is figuring out what to do when it is time to sleep.

Many children with autism have unusual sleep patterns that manifest themselves in many different ways. In fact, most research shows that between 40–80% of children with autism have trouble sleeping—they have problems going to sleep, they have problems staying asleep, or they don’t sleep long enough to be considered well rested (about 10 hours per night).

There can be no premium on knowing that your child with autism, prone to wandering throughout the house at night, is safe. It is crucial, as a parent that you have enough sleep in order to make it through the next day. Without the proper amount of sleep, you will not be able to keep up with your autistic child and the other demands of your life. Without sleep, you are setting yourself up for frustration and failure. Yet, if your autistic child routinely wakes up throughout the night, how is it possible to get the sleep you need?

You must sleep, and your child with autism must be safe. How can both be achieved? Some experts suggest locking the bedroom door at night or getting a $10,000 hospital bed with restraints. Perhaps this was a viable option 40 years ago when my uncle was sent to a developmental center, but hardly one for today’s world. There are new and welcoming designs for beds on the market—like Noah’s Bed—that seek to comfort both the autistic child and his or her parents.

The impetus behind Noah’s Bed (and others) is to provide the child with a safe, comfortable place to sleep where he or she can feel protected. At the same time, these beds give parents a peace of mind knowing that their autistic child will be safe regardless what time he or she goes to sleep.

Getting Good Night’s Sleep with Autistic Children

It’s 2 a.m.; do you know where your child is? For many parents of children with autism, the answer could very well be, “No.” As more and more funding comes from the federal government and private donors to research autism, leaders in the field are figuring out what many parents already know: frequently, children who are diagnosed with autism are unable to sleep.

Whether it’s because your child cannot go to sleep or because he or she wakes up intermittently throughout the night, your child is just not going to sleep… and as a result, neither are you. Both of you are well under the time required to have what is considered a good night sleep (approximately 10 hours for your child, and just about 8 hours for you). You’re practically worn down to a nub while your child is just as hyper as he or she was the day before, and the day before that, and the day before that, etc.

Of course, as you already know, because your child isn’t sleeping as much as he should be, he is becoming depressed, irritable and angrier than ever, his hyperactivity is increasing, and it’s causing him to have some trouble in school. It feels like a daunting task to undo everything that had been done before. What is a parent or caregiver to do?

First and foremost, don’t give up! Human beings are given this amazing reserve of emotional strength that they some times don’t realize they have. Find it; tap into it. You can do it.

Secondly, find some respite even if it’s only for a night. Don’t think of it as pawning your problems off on someone else. It truly is every bit as important that you get your sleep as anyone else. Without a good night’s rest, you will be unprepared to meet demands of the next day, which include raising your autistic child.

Try to establish a nighttime ritual that will help to calm down your autistic child, rather than one that will stimulate him or her at the end of the day. Definitely avoid activities like watching TV, playing games, or using the computer as these can provide a significant amount of stimulus for your son or daughter. Think about calming activities such as taking a bath (especially if you are able to use the lavender bubble bath soap) or reading to your child.

There are a number of new studies that show how melatonin, given near bedtime, might help children with autism get to sleep and possibly sleep better. In one of the most recent studies, the time it took for a child on melatonin versus a child on a placebo to fall asleep was almost half that of the child with placebo. While there is still quite a bit of work to do on many other studies, the initial melatonin research is very promising.

Lastly, in an effort to keep a meandering child from hurting him- or herself in the dark of night, you might want to consider looking into a new bed. Not necessarily one of the $10,000 hospital-style beds with restraints, but a bed designed with the interests of the parent and autistic child in mind. Rather than worrying about your child getting up in the middle of the night, you can be rest assured that something like Noah’s Bed will hold your child safely. A unique, patented design allows for the parent to place their child on a soft mattress and cocoon him- or herself away. Meanwhile, parents—who are still concerned about an errant child—can finally stop yelling and screaming at each other long enough to realize they are finally going to get a good night’s sleep.