Causes for Autism

At this point, the cause of autism or the spectrum of ASD remain unknown. Scientific evidence supports the conclusion that ASD is a behavioural syndrome that results from various brain abnormalities. These abnormalities develop as a result of genetic predispositions and early environmental (likely to be the 1st trimester inside the utero) insults. The genetic of autism is complex and up till now no genetic markers or biological markers of the disorder has been reliably identified. Current postulation is that the disorder is an expression of a heterogenic pool of genes instead of a single or a couple of gene interactions.

Although in the last decade, there was an increase in interest in the relationship between environmental toxins, diets and the disorder of autism, up till now, there is no scientific evidence which demonstrate a causal relationship between ASD and these toxins or diets.

What is Autism?

When people refer to “Autism” today, they are usually talking about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), which are five complex, brain-based disorders that affect a person’s behavior as well as social and communication skills. The Centers for Disease Control describes ASDs as: “developmental disabilities that cause substantial impairments in social interaction and communication and the presence f unusual behaviors and interests. Many people with ASDs also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, and reacting to different sensations. The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASDs can vary—from gifted to severely challenged. An ASD begins before the age of 3 and lasts throughout a person’s life.”

Autism is four times more likely to affect boys than girls, and is found in all racial, ethnic, and social groups. There is no known single cause for autism, although the best available science points to important genetic components. Through twin studies, scientists have determined that autism is a genetically based condition. If one identical (monozygotic) twin has autism then there is an 80-90% chance that the other twin will also be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. For non-identical (dizygotic) twins the chance is about 3-10% that both twins will develop autism spectrum disorder. The chance that siblings will both be affected by ASD is also about 3-10%.

Scientists are unsure what, if any, environmental triggers may be involved in autism. One theory, popular in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, that vaccines cause autism, has since been disproven by numerous studies conducted around the world.

THERE’S NO WORK LIFE BALANCE IN MY LIFE!

I came back to Dungun in August 2013.  Coming back with no Phd makes me more inferior.  Some of my friends had completed their studies. Coming back with the Dr in front of their names.  The worst part is when my ex student, Hairi Jalis also had come back with a Phd. As a mom and being a caregiver for a two special boys with Autism and ADHD, I told myself  that I am a HERO! I’ll take this as a challenge, making me feels better , walking my day to day life  with these two boys. My son, Iman turn to be more aggressive at the age of 13. I can’t simply spank him as he’s growing bigger now. I’m afraid of the risk, what if he fights back?

I was call by the Rector, my boss just can’t take it when I can’t achieve  the organizational KPI’s: I turn up late to the class, submitting late result for the final exam papers, applying so many emergency leaves, turning up late for the meeting and so on. I was seen as a black sheep in this organization now.  I can’t join the other staffs for lunch, parties, celebrations or even attending the family day and attending conferences away from Terengganu. I don’t dare to leave my boy with my husband.

It’s not him that can’t take care of Iman, but it’s me who always thought that I’m the only one who can cope with his irritating behaviors. I became anti socialized now. It’s not that I feel so shy about these two kids, but Iman is always throwing his tantrums in front of the public. Irfan is doing okay most of the time, but he still have his bad behaviors in front of others. He used to cling with me anywhere I go. Having his wet trousers after going to the toilet, leaving the smell of his urine almost every time he leaves the toilet.

For Iman, I still keep on giving him Risperidone, but this year I noticed he’s like “resistant” to his medication. It seems that the dose given to him does not giving any effects on him. I started giving him homeopathy early December, but he turned to be more aggressive after I introduced him to this type of medication.

There are some reasons why I hardly make myself committed to my work, on the other hand I can call myself as NOT HAVING A WORK-LIFE BALANCE anymore:

1.       I have a daily maid coming to take care of my kids when I’m having my lecture at UiTM,  but I just manage to pay her RM10 per hour due to my financial constraints. So she just come for 3 hours a day, 3 times a week only. I got to sacrifice my 2 to 5 pm for the other 2 days, staying at home, jeopardising my career,   as there’s no one to take care of Tajul Iman. I experienced leaving this boy with his other siblings, but it end up with my tears when I saw some marks on his body when I came back from work, telling me that he had been pinched/spanked by his siblings when I was not around. I cried in agony.

2.       When I am at home, I got to give my son a full attention, a one to one attention until I can’t do any office work, not even a sentence for my Phd thesis. I faced problem when I got to mark the students’ final exam papers with all essays, with the minimum of 3 different codes of subjects per semester, They just give me  ___ days for me to finish the marking and I use to take more time to complete these tasks. I got a threatening statement from the boss via text messages last 2 semesters on my failure to submit the results on time, but I tried to take it, with no hates and grievances, to me he was just doing his job. After all  he also got a series of threats from his superior. It’s just me who can’t cope throughout this hardship in my life!

3.       I got to attend a few series of occupational therapy for both kids, particularly in the afternoon, limiting my commitment to have an adequate working hours in the office. I use to spend at least 3 hours in the hospital for each visit to the physiotherapy clinic. It’s not easy when I got to wait for my turn for my son’s therapy and health check. When Iman got his asthma attack a few times, especially during rainy seasons, I got to be in the clinic sometime up to 2 hours for them to release his asthma, using Nebulizer. I end up with buying my own Neb as I found my son just couldn’t take it when he felt his difficulty in breathing, at the same time he got to wait for his turn to use the Neb after other asthma patients were using it. This is also time consuming for me. It involves all the patience I have in life!

What is Mild Autism?

(article from about.com)

a person with "mild autism" may have advanced communication skills and academic abilities, but have very delayed social skills, severe sensory issues, and/or extreme difficulties with organizational skills. As a result, the individual with "mild" autism may find public school or work settingsmore challenging than an individual with greater language challenges but fewer sensory or social problems.

As an example, imagine a very academically bright, linguistically advanced individual who can't stop himself from blurting out answers in the classroom, and falls apart at the sound of a vacuum cleaner or the light of a fluorescent bulb. Compare such a person to an individual who has significant problems with academics but has few issues with sound or light, and has no problem following rules. Which individual has "milder" symptoms? The answer, of course, is that it depends upon the setting and the situation.

People who are "mildly" autistic are generally considered to be Level 1, meaning they need relatively little support to live a normal life. 

But of course that's misleading, because many people with "mild" autism may need a great deal of support depending upon the situation.  For example, a person with "mild" autism may have great verbal skills but have no ability to read another person's body language or emotions.  As a result, plenty of people with "mild" autism get themselves into trouble with the opposite gender, with work or classmates, or even with the police.

Bottom line, the term "mild autism" is not especially useful, though it is fairly common. To really make sense of its significance, you'll need to ask direct, specific questions about verbal, social, sensory and behavioral challenges.

Why We Need Autism Day?

By Scott Badesch, Autism Society President and CEO

Today (April 2, every year) is world autism awareness day. Today, throughout the world, individuals will come together highlighting the needs and dreams of people living with autism. Today, all of us at the Autism Society honor and respect each individual living with autism for whom they are. We celebrate and honor parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, and other professionals who provide support and love to those living on the autism spectrum. We celebrate those who, years ago, did not accept what they were told they couldn’t do and today have shown what they are capable of. We celebrate those elected officials, business and religious leaders who value the beauty of a person with autism.

But today, we also must realize that autism, in growing numbers, exists each day of the year. We also must remember that while we aim to increase awareness of autism, the larger societal need extends way beyond awareness. Our nation still lacks a strong commitment to assuring that each person living with autism is provided an opportunity to realize a quality of life so many are still denied. Our nation must stop talking about autism and do more than talk. Today, most people living with autism are discriminated against in employment and access to a quality public education. Parents regularly must battle with their child’s school to ensure their child receives the required and legally mandated opportunities to succeed.   We are all aware of the issues people with autism still face today. Let’s use today to focus the conversation on making meaningful change.

Today promotes the need for awareness and the Autism Society joins in that effort. It is not enough.  The real question that must be asked is will we as a nation on each day of the year really commit to allow each person living with autism to advance on a successful path, free of unnecessary obstacles to maximize his or her quality of life. When that is the reality, we can then celebrate as a nation that we did something right. Autism impacts 1 in 88 individuals. It is time to allow each “one” on the autism spectrum a life of success and opportunity.

World Autism Awareness Day

The eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2016. Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events. How will you celebrate? 

Autism Awareness

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. People with ASD have difficulties with social and communication skills, which are often accompanied by behavioural challenges. Many people with ASD also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to sensations. It is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In most cases its causes are unknown. Today, 1 in 100 individuals is diagnosed with autism.

Autism awareness is important. By being aware, we can understand. We can empathize. We can restrain our judgments. We can attempt to be helpful. We can learn. We can teach others what we know.

So if you see a child throw a tantrum in the middle of a store, don’t judge. Don’t shake your head. Don’t mutter things under your breath. This may not be a tantrum — it might be a meltdown due to overstimulation. Children on the spectrum have difficulty expressing themselves and can get overwhelmed by lights, noise and activity around them. It’s difficult for them to process the flurry of activity that you or I can simply filter out.