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Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurofeedback Research:
Some people are mildly impaired by their symptoms, while others are severely disabled. Treatments and services can improve a person’s symptoms and ability to function. Families with concerns should talk to their pediatrician about what they’ve observed and the possibility of ASD screening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) around 1 in 68 children has been identified with some form of ASD. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) around 1 in 68 children has been identified with some form of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum DisorderParents or doctors may first identify ASD behaviors in infants and toddlers. School staff may recognize these behaviors in older children. Not all people with ASD will show all of these behaviors, but most will show several. There are two main types of behaviors: “restricted / repetitive behaviors” and “social communication/interaction behaviors.” Restrictive/repetitive behaviors may include:
Social communication/interaction behaviors may include:
People with ASD may have other difficulties, such as being very sensitive to light, noise, clothing, or temperature. They may also experience sleep problems, digestion problems, and irritability. ASD is unique in that it is common for people with ASD to have many strengths and abilities in addition to challenges. Strengths and abilities may include:
Diagnosing Autism Spectrum DisorderDoctors diagnose ASD by looking at a child’s behavior and development. Young children with ASD can usually be reliably diagnosed by age two. Older children and adolescents should be evaluated for ASD when a parent or teacher raises concerns based on watching the child socialize, communicate, and play. Diagnosing ASD in adults is not easy. In adults, some ASD symptoms can overlap with symptoms of other mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, getting a correct diagnosis of ASD as an adult can help a person understand past difficulties, identify his or her strengths, and obtain the right kind of help. Diagnosis in young children is often a two-stage process:Stage 1: General Developmental Screening During Well-Child Checkups Every child should receive well-child check-ups with a pediatrician or an early childhood health care provider. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends specific ASD screening be done at the 18- and 24-month visits. Earlier screening might be needed if a child is at high risk for ASD or developmental problems. Those at high risk include children who:
Parents’ experiences and concerns are very important in the screening process for young children. Sometimes the doctor will ask parents questions about the child’s behaviors and combine this information with his or her observations of the child. Read more about screening instruments on the CDC website. Children who show some developmental problems during this screening process will be referred for another stage of evaluation. Stage 2: Additional Evaluation This evaluation is with a team of doctors and other health professionals with a wide range of specialties who are experienced in diagnosing ASD. This team may include:
The evaluation may assess:
Because ASD is a complex disorder that sometimes occurs along with other illnesses or learning disorders, the comprehensive evaluation may include:
The outcome of the evaluation will result in recommendations to help plan for treatment. Diagnosis in older children and adolescents Older children whose ASD symptoms are noticed after starting school are often first recognized and evaluated by the school’s special education team. The school’s team may refer these children to a healthcare professional. Parents may talk with a pediatrician about their child’s social difficulties including problems with subtle communication. These subtle communication issues may include understanding tone of voice, facial expressions, or body language. Older children may have trouble understanding figures of speech, humor, or sarcasm. Parents may also find that their child has trouble forming friendships with peers. The pediatrician can refer the child for further evaluation and treatment. Contact us today for more information(630) 762-9606Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis in adultsAdults who notice the signs and symptoms of ASD should talk with a doctor and ask for a referral for an ASD evaluation. While testing for ASD in adults is still being refined, adults can be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist with ASD expertise. The expert will ask about concerns, such as social interaction and communication challenges, sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. Information about the adult’s developmental history will help in making an accurate diagnosis, so an ASD evaluation may include talking with parents or other family members. Autism Spectrum Disorder Risk FactorsScientists don’t know the exact causes of ASD, but research suggests that genes and environment play important roles. Risk factors include:
In recent years, the number of children identified with ASD has increased. Experts disagree about whether this shows a true increase in ASD since the guidelines for diagnosis have changed in recent years as well. Also, many more parents and doctors now know about the disorder, so parents are more likely to have their children screened, and more doctors are able to properly diagnose ASD, even in adulthood. Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatments and TherapiesEarly treatment for ASD and proper care can reduce individuals’ difficulties while helping them learn new skills and make the most of their strengths. The very wide range of issues facing those “on the spectrum” means that there is no single best treatment for ASD. Working closely with a doctor or health care professional is an important part of finding the right treatment program. There are many treatment options, social services, programs, and other resources that can help. Many families have found medication to help some of the difficulties one experiences but this will not help to correct the root cause. Neurofeedback is an alternative approach to medication, or in conjunction to medication or other therapies. Neurofeedback training will help to correct the dysregulated brainwave patterns help help to alleviate areas of concern long term. Here are some tips:
It has been suggested that 1 in 3 children with autism may also have ADHD. Neurofeedback has been shown to help children with ADHD by improving hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Interestingly, we know that many children with autism may also show these symptoms. Autism Spectrum Disorder MedicationA doctor may use medication to treat some difficulties that are common with ASD. With medication, a person with ASD may have fewer problems with:
Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchThere have been many early studies providing supported evidence for neurofeedback as an alternative treatment of symptoms occurring from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related disorders, including Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). From 2011, nine studies have shown significant improvements in social, emotional, and behavioral functioning due to neurofeedback. Follow-up studies at 12 and 18 months after neurofeedback showed the gains lasted after training was completed. While these studies showed improvements beginning between 10 to 18 weeks, studies have shown that upon completing of neurofeedback trainees maintained long term results and in some cases improvements were continued due to the brain was functioning more optimally. Which provides a better case to begin neurofeedback during early interventions to support cognitive change and brain adaptability if joining neurofeedback with co-occurring treatment methods. Which of the following is a key feature of autism spectrum disorder ASD )?People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.
Which characteristics are typical of students with intellectual disabilities?What are some of the signs of intellectual disability?. sit up, crawl, or walk later than other children.. learn to talk later, or have trouble speaking.. find it hard to remember things.. have trouble understanding social rules.. have trouble seeing the results of their actions.. have trouble solving problems.. Which of the following IQ scores is considered within the range of intellectual disability?Diagnosing Intellectual Disability
A full-scale IQ score of around 70 to 75 indicates a significant limitation in intellectual functioning.
Which of the following IQ scores is considered within the range of mental retardation quizlet?Describe the abilities of people at the four levels of retardation. People with mental retardation have IQ scores of 70 or below.
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