Is Autism A State Of Mind?
Becoming apparent during the first two years of life of a child, autism is an ailment which affects the psyche. The afflicted child would find it tough to communicate, would be shy and reticent and would have hardly any area of interest. While many give hereditary factors as the cause behind autism, truth about it still unknown, but what is known is that it affects boys three times more than girls. According to National Institute of Mental Health, over half a million people are victims of autism in the US alone. Early diagnosis and healthy treatment could help a child rehabilitate his communication and language skills though no cure is still known for this disorder. A disorder of the brain development, autism results in the affected child having no power over his actions and thus can engage in some activities which are not only injurious to the child but to others too. To rehabilitate an autistic child's expressing abilities and restore self discipline, the child needs personalized attention. Sometimes doctors use drug therapy to control bursts of anger or episodes of depression. Every patient needs a different kind of therapy, and these have to be designed individually. Thus the treatment and professional care for an autistic child rather expensive.
Along with the behavioral therapy which the autistic child goes through, a nutritional diet is vital which adds to the efficacy of the therapy. Parents of autistic children ought to note that while they are providing the children with wholesome balanced diets, the following foods are prohibited: gluten, dairy products or sugars. Two meals per day should be based on fresh fruits and vegetables along with recommended vitamin supplements. Stevia is one of the most popular sweetening agents for patients of autism and diabetes. Stevia is a herb native to South America, is an excellent alternative to sugar, and is available at health food stores.
An autistic child needs lifelong support and help and thus the treatment also continues without an end in sight. Very few people who suffer from autism can lead an independent lifestyle, although some have been known to have certain brilliant traits. Most autistic people would find it beyond their abilities to make a transition form the school yard to the work place and this is primarily due to their ingenuous deportment. Some even consider autism as nothing but a state of mind and definitely not an ailment, and there could be some element of truth in it, especially when you see some autistic people who have talents of a genius in fields of music and creativity.
William Noel
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