Tips

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE: That autism is a devastating disability. BUT NOW WE KNOW: Many with autism diagnoses are brilliant and creative, and many more have lots to contribute, too WHAT YOU CAN DO: Don’t worry about normal — go for the extraordinary. Find opportunities to broaden your child’s world and help them to grow into everything they can be.…

Snowballing into autism

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE: That autism is pre-programmed from birth. BUT NOW WE KNOW: That autism may emerge from a pile-up of many commonplace problems that snowball into autism WHAT YOU CAN DO: Tackle these problems systematically and you can dial back the autism. Systematically approach the physical symptoms of autism to support the immune system, gut bugs and brain health, take things slowly to avoid stress, and reduce toxic exposures. SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE: That autism…

Medical problems are treatable in people with autism

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE: That the medical problems are “part of the autism” and since “we all know autism is incurable” there is no point in doing anything about them. BUT NOW WE KNOW: Medical problems are treatable in autism just as they are treatable in anyone else, and treating them can make a dramatic difference in how well you do and even in the autism. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Insist on care for medical problems,…

There’s a lot you can do

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE: That autism is predestined by genetics. BUT NOW WE KNOW: Genes create vulnerability but in almost every case, other environmental triggers are required for autism to develop. Environment can make anyone’s life worse – or better. It can make autism more or less severe, too. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Learn what you need to about the genes you can’t change, and control what you can by making your family’s environment as supportive,…

Your child is “in there”

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE: That autism is a hopeless, incurable life sentence BUT NOW WE KNOW: That some people with autism lose their diagnoses, many more improve greatly, and some break through with moments of clarity and language even when they generally don’t talk or relate much. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Look at autism as a state someone is in rather than as a permanent trait. Believe that your loved one with autism is “in there”…