Signs of autism and everyday life with an autistic child

Is autism a part of your life? What are the signs of autism? Find advice, tips, research results and information about an autistic diagnosis here — plus learn what you can do to help your child and to simply cope on an everyday basis.

Related story 8 Early Signs of Autism in Infants & Toddlers That Every Parent Should Know

Practical tips for parenting a child with autism

• 10 Things you should know about autism
• When autism is family: What’s it like living with a child with autism?
• Keeping your autistic child safe: Practical, everyday tips for parents
• Taking your autistic child to a restaurant: Tips on dining out
• Traveling tips for families with an autistic child

Autism and the family

• Tips for talking to family about your child’s autism diagnosis
• The upside of autism: Joyful reflections from parents of autistic kids
• 12 tips for the family to soothe the stress of autism
• 80 percent autism divorce rate debunked
• Estate planning for parents of special-needs kids
• Special needs kids and well siblings
• Living with Asperger’s Syndrome: A sister’s story

Helping your autistic child: Health

• Your child has autism. Now what?
• Autism therapies: What educational and medical interventions are available?
• Button down healthy sleep habits for special needs kids
• Special diets for special kids: Autism and casein- & gluten-free diets

Helping your autistic child: Learning

• Autism therapies: What educational and medical interventions are available?
• Book ’em: It’s still important to read to kids with special needs
• Button down healthy sleep habits for special needs kids
• Autistic kids benefit from dads’ involvement
• Your child has autism. Now what?
• Ideas on autism: Building sensory communication with your child
• Top learning toys for special-needs kids & toddlers

Autistic signs, symptoms & special talents

• Autism signs & symptoms, qualities & quirks
• Autism: the official definition (DSM IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria)
• Is your preschooler on the autistic spectrum?
• Are more kids said to be autistic just because interpretations have changed?
• Delayed speech in three year old is a problem
• Early diagnosis of autism
• Could a big head mean autism?
• Specific behaviors seen in infants can predict autism
• Are headbanging toddlers at risk for autism or other disorders?
• Just can’t face it: Why kids with autism may avoid eye contact
• Autistics recall letters of the alphabet in brain areas dealing with shapes
• Autistic children show outstanding musical skills

Possible causes: Genetics

• Autism’s genetic similarities
• New findings help pinpoint autism’s genetic roots
• Multiple genetic ‘flavors’ may explain autism
• Scientists pinpoint region of autism gene on chromosome 17

Related special needs & disorders

• Sensory disorder: When play isn’t fun
• Auditory processing disorder in children: What does it mean?
• About aphasia – When words don’t come easy
• Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) information

Autism research

• Brain regions do not communicate efficiently in adults with autism
  
• Older fathers more likely to have autistic children
• Autistic children show outstanding musical skills
• Autism explained: What’s sex got to do with it? From Psychology Today
  

More about autism

• Promote autism awareness with these goodies, gifts & garb
• Media coverage of autism differs dramatically
• Kids with special needs: Dealing with teasing

You’re not alone!

• Autism message board