Archives for January 2015

When a young child is developing physically and emotionally, it can be tempting for parents to overlook behavioral changes. Although many children develop harmless quirks in early years, some behaviors may be red flags indicating the child has an autism spectrum disorder. If your son or daughter displays autism symptoms, it’s important to take action as soon as possible.

What are Early Signs to Watch For?
ASD symptoms vary, but there are certain signals you shouldn’t ignore. One of the most common issues parents notice first is the child’s lack of interest in people, toys or the environment. By the time a baby is 6 months, he or she should make eye contact and react to personal interaction. If your baby isn’t cooing, smiling and repeating some sounds by this age, it may be cause for concern.

By the 1-year mark, your child should be attempting one-syllable words and communicating needs, such as pointing to a toy or reaching for a parent. When a child appears unaware of other people, has unusual sensitivities to touch, sound, light or smell, compulsively moves his or her body, is obsessed with an object, or even seems deaf, autism may be to blame.

When Should you Take Action?
If you suspect your child hasn’t reached the appropriate emotional, cognitive and social milestones, don’t wait to seek help. Early, focused intervention can drastically improve delayed skills. A 2-year old may be at risk if he or she cannot follow basic instructions, doesn’t socialize or speak, cannot string a couple words together, or doesn’t recognize the names of simple objects.

Each child develops at a different pace, so don’t panic if your little one is simply a little late to the party. The range of normal behavior is fairly wide, but some signs shouldn’t be completely disregarded. Seeking the advice of a developmental specialist just increases the chance of early detection. Like other areas of parenting, you’ll do the best for your child when you trust your own instincts.

By recognizing developmental problems as early as possible, you can get the necessary treatment for your child. If your baby or young toddler displays any autism symptoms, speak with a specialist. A targeted, customized treatment plan can greatly reduce the effects of this disorder, and early intervention can give your child the best chance at a happy, healthy life.

For a parent, there is no bigger fear than something being wrong with your child that you can’t fix. Unlike other childhood issues, there is no medical diagnosis for learning disabilities. There is no cure, but there are things that can be implemented such as instructional interventions, assistive technologies, and classroom accommodations.

The questions isn’t what can be done, but which learning disability does your child have. Read below or speak with someone today.

Dyslexia
In young children there are two types of learning disabilities: one with reading and one with reading comprehension. Dyslexia deals with reading and is common among young children. This learning disability covers problems with reading such as pronouncing sounds correctly, writing words in an acceptable order, spelling difficulties, and even with speaking.

Dyscalculia
A child with this learning disability will struggle with tasks such as word problems, telling time, and counting money.

Dysgraphia
This learning disability focuses on the written word. Children suffering from dysgraphia may have problems expressing themselves in writing, writing coherently, and hard to read penmanship.

Dyspraxia
Children suffering with this issue have problems with fine motor skill development. Putting together a puzzle, handling tweezers, and dealing with small objects all offer a challenge.

Dysphasia/Aphasia
This disability presents problems with language. A child will have reading comprehension issues and difficulty understanding spoken language.

Auditory Processing Disorder
Children with this learning disability have difficulty with understanding different sounds. This can lead to problems with reading, following directions, and even basic communication skills.

Visual Processing Disorders
This learning disability deals with the interpretation of visual material. Children with this disorder have problems dealing with any visual stimuli: maps, charts, worksheets, and books.

It can be more than a little overwhelming when faced with a learning disability. What you need to understand is that while it is overwhelming for you as a parent, your child is not only overwhelmed by it they are completely engulfed. There are a number of signs that you can watch for as your child develops. Knowing what to look for is as important as knowing what you are dealing with. The best advice is to stay positive. Children with learning disabilities are not dumb or lazy. They simply have unique challenges to meet and greater obstacles to overcome.