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What Is Autism?

A child or adult diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder will have challenges in the same 3 developmental areas. It is usually diagnosed in a child before they are 3 years old so when your child is born you don't know they are autistic because it does not have any physical symptoms. It is called the 'autistic spectrum' because you can be affected by these difficulties to various degrees from mild to severe.

The areas of difficulty are :

which are sometimes called the 'triad of impairments'.

The spectrum is very broad. You may meet a person with Downs syndrome with autistic tendencies or a grown man or woman with a family who only received a diagnosis in their adult life. You can be mildly or severely affected by all of the areas described in the triad, or have more difficulty in one area, and less in others. Therefore every person on the autistic spectrum is unique with their own very specific challenges abilities and gifts.

The amount of people diagnosed with autism has in the last 20 years gone up from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 150. That is a huge increase and its prompted a debate and extensive research to determine why there is such a dramatic increase in such a short length of time. Some say it is down to doctors being better able to make a diagnosis.

There is of course the MMR debate and some say that there is a clear link between diet and nutrition and the increased serge of autism. Others say there is a Genetic link.

Our view is that there is probably a variety of factors in play. I think it is helpful for the families of special children to be aware of the bio-medical issues that surround the treatment of autism and how they might help our special children, for instance the use of probiotics, vitamins, and a gluten free diet.

There are many families that swear that their child has benefited enormously form nutritional therapy, while some have felt that that approach has not benefited their child at all. It seems to be down to the individual child and their unique special needs.

For more information about autism please visit the Growing minds website or the website of the National Autistic Society.

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We have finally obtained funding of £12,000 of the £17,000 we need each year for Rosie's education. We still need to raise £5,000 per year for Rosie to continue on the program. If you'd like to make a donation it would be gratefully accepted. Click here to make a donation, however small.
It really is changing her life. Thank you.